I have previously written about the jug that I discuss today; however, I thought it would be a good object to re-examine since it exhibits what I perceive as a classic style of North Yarmouth pottery from the nineteenth-century. In this case, I have found two obvious characteristics, which were manufactured by at least one potter's business in North Yarmouth, where there is no foot at the base, and the glaze covers all of the exterior except for about one-inch (or so) at the base.
This jug was discovered with another example of locally produced red earthenware within a strong context of ownership in an early farmhouse in Cumberland, Maine, which borders Yarmouth to the west. I have been told that this farmhouse had descended in the family to the current owner.
A few years ago, a local antique picker discovered this jug (and another locally produced black-glazed jug) in a crawl space above the summer kitchen. From what I have been told, the local picker asked the homeowner what was in the crawlspace, and she replied that she had never investigated. She also said that she had never known a family member to enter the space, but she also told the picker that he could climb up to see what might be hidden in the space.
Nonetheless, when the local picker entered this tight space, he discovered two locally produced red earthenware jugs, which were undoubtedly tucked away many years ago. The jugs were both damaged and dirty - and, one jug had also been wrapped in some type of animal hide (skin), which was disintegrating.
The main reason that I thought the following jug was special is a result of traces of slip-decoration, which was likely accidentally spilled onto the jug and its handle. It's possible that this was an intentional decoration; however, I assume otherwise, where the slip was actually splattered onto the jug by a potter, who worked with slip-decoration in the 1800's.
It has been reported in the past that Maine potters did not use slip-decoration in the nineteenth-century. But red earthenware sherds owned by the Yarmouth, Maine Historical Society have proven the opposite, where slip was used in North Yarmouth. This jug is also further proof, which indicates the use of slip in this potter's industry.
Here is a link to a group of pottery that I purchased last year from Maine antiques dealer, Rachel Gurley - this group of pottery had just been removed from an early context of ownership in Saco, Maine. This is a similar story as is the story that I just told about the jugs found in Cumberland.
Note: This is a list of potters that I have compiled, who were active in the North Yarmouth potter's industry in the eighteenth and nineteenth-centuries. I also assume that there were more potters, as a result of traveling potters, apprentices and maybe even lesser known potters, who were employed in North Yarmouth. Although, the following list indicates that all of the known companies were multi-generational businesses, which spanned decades manufacturing red earthenware for local homes and export to areas elsewhere in Maine (and possibly New Hampshire).
North Yarmouth
George Bruce - worked at the Ebenezer Corliss Pottery
Brooks Family
Joel Brooks Sr. (father)
Joel Brooks Jr. (son)
Cleaves Family
David Cleaves (father)
Robert C. Cleaves (son)
Corliss Family
Ebenezer Corliss (uncle)
John Corliss (nephew)
Foster Family
Nathaniel Foster (father)
Benjam Foster (son)
William Henry Foster (son)
Thomas Family
John Thomas (father)
Samuel Thomas (son)
William Thomas (son)
Jug Found in a Farmhouse in Cumberland, ME
19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Attributed to North Yarmouth, ME
Found in an Early Context of Ownership in Cumberland, ME
Notice the Slip-Decoration
Notice the Lack of a Footed Base
Notice How the Slip Does Not Go All the Way to the Base
Circa 1800-1860
Stands Approximately 9" Tall
Photo Courtesy: Chris Havey - Gorham, ME
Another View of the Jug
Notice the Slip-Decoration
Photo Courtesy: Chris Havey - Gorham, ME
View of the Handle
Notice the Slip-Decoration
Photo Courtesy: Chris Havey - Gorham, ME
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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