Various Styles of 18th Century Slip-Decoration Recovered in Charlestown, Massachusetts

I thought it would be a good idea to show some of the different patterns of slip-decoration that were recovered in Charlestown, Massachusetts within a pre-1775 archaeological context; although, not all of these patterns are directly tied to a specific potter's business in Charlestown because of where they were excavated. However, most (or possibly all) of these styles of slip-decoration are thought to have been produced in Charlestown in the eighteenth century. Many of these objects were also manufactured before 1750, but for the sake of this article, I have given a generic "made before 1775" attribution.

I also want to note that some of these sherds were recovered in a pre-1742 archaeological context at Faneuil Hall in Boston. But they are also thought to have been made in Charelestown, as a result of similar or matching slip-decorations from that potter's industry, which were excavated during the archaeology of Boston's Big Dig Project in the 1980s.

It appears that the Charlestown potters applied slip in three different ways:

1. They used a stamp.
2. They used a brush.
3. They used a slip cup.

The most common forms that I have seen tied to the potter's industry in Charlestown are chamber pots, mugs, pans, porringers and various utilitarian crocks and pots.

Surviving Objects
I have also shown two eighteenth century red earthenware pots that were likely made in coastal Massachusetts, which survive today in a private collection on Long Island, as well as Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts. These intact pots are decorated in a style of slip-decoration that is also comparable to how some of the artifacts from Charlestown are decorated.

The pots also retain important provenances, where one pot was previously owned by George S. McKearin, and the other pot is a part of the Lura Woodside Watkins Collection at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.

According to Watkins (Figure 32, Early New England Potters and Their Wares), "This mustard pot is decorated in a variegated ground with green, yellow and brown tones, as well as brushed slip-decoration. It is attributed to the Newburyport, Massachusetts area (it was likely found in the Newburyport area)."

Surviving 18th Century Red Earthenware Pots

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Pot

Likely Made in Coastal Massachusetts, Possibly Essex County

The Style of the Slip is Somewhat Comparable to Styles that were Produced in Charlestown, Mass.

Ex-George S. McKearin Collection

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Anthony Butera - Port Jefferson, NY

View of the George S. McKearin Collection Label

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Anthony Butera - Port Jefferson, NY

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Herb Pot

Likely Made in Coastal Massachusetts

The Style of the Slip is Comparable to Styles that were Produced in Charlestown, Mass.

Lura Woodside Watkins Collection

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, Mass.

Various Slip-Decoration Recovered in Charlestown, Mass. in the 1980's

 18th Century Red Earthenware Chamber Pot Sherd Recovered in Charlestown, Mass.
Attributed to the Potter's Industry in Charlestown, Mass.

Made Before 1775
See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

  18th Century Red Earthenware Chamber Pot Recovered in Charlestown, Mass.
Attributed to the Potter's Industry in Charlestown, Mass.

Made Before 1775
See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

  18th Century Red Earthenware Pan Sherd Recovered in Charlestown, Mass.
Probably Locally Made

Made Before 1775
See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

  18th Century Red Earthenware Pan Recovered in Charlestown, Mass.
Probably Locally Made

Made Before 1775
See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

  18th Century Red Earthenware Porringer Sherd Recovered in Charlestown, Mass.
Attributed to the Potter's Industry in Charlestown, Mass.

Made Before 1775
See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

  18th Century Red Earthenware Bowl Sherd Recovered in Charlestown, Mass.
Probably European in Origin

Made Before 1775
See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

  18th Century Red Earthenware Chamber Pot Sherd Recovered in Charlestown, Mass.
Attributed to the Potter's Industry in Charlestown, Mass.

Made Before 1775
See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

18th Century Red Earthenware Sherd Recovered in Charlestown, Mass.
Attributed to the Potter's Industry in Charlestown, Mass.
Made Before 1775
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

18th Century Red Earthenware Chamber Pot Sherd Recovered in Charlestown, Mass.

Attributed to the Potter's Industry in Charlestown, Mass.

Made Before 1775

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

  18th Century Red Earthenware Sherds Recovered at Faneuil Hall in Boston
Attributed to the Potter's Industry in Charlestown, Mass.

Made Before 1742
See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

  18th Century Red Earthenware  Porringenr Recovered in Charlestown, Mass.
Attributed to the Potter's Industry in Charlestown, Mass.

Made Before 1775
See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

  18th Century Red Earthenware Chamber Pot Recovered in Charlestown, Mass.
Attributed to the Potter's Industry in Charlestown, Mass.

Made Before 1775
See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

  18th Century Red Earthenware Sherd Recovered at Faneuil Hall in Boston
Probably Locally Made

Made Before 1742
See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

  18th Century Red Earthenware Mug Recovered in Charlestown, Mass.
Attributed to the Potter's Industry in Charlestown, Mass.

Made Before 1775
See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

  18th Century Red Earthenware Chamber Pot Recovered in Charlestown, Mass.
Attributed to the Potter's Industry in Charlestown, Mass.

Made Before 1775
See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

 18th Century Red Earthenware Chamber Pot Recovered in Charlestown, Mass.
Attributed to the Potter's Industry in Charlestown, Mass.

Made Before 1775
See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

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