Two Rare Green-Glazed Red Earthenware Lighting Devices Which are Owned by the New Bedford Whaling Museum in New Bedford, Massachusetts

I recently saw a green-glazed red earthenware candlestick that is owned by the New Bedford Whaling Museum in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The candlestick was acquired by the museum in 1977, but it also retains a local history of ownership.

According to the Whaling Museum, "This green glazed candlestick is possibly Asian. It was made with a dish base, which has upturned edges and a tapered stem in the center. The candle socket is unusual and removable, where a long metal piece fits into the stem, which is topped by a red earthenware drip catcher and socket. The bottom of the base is unglazed and the color of sand."

Initially, when I read this description, I was reminded about a pair of flower pot saucers that I own, which were produced in a very-similar style as was the candlestick's dish base. There are also similar flower pots saucers and matching flower pots that are owned by the Little Compton, Rhode Island Historical Society, Winterthur in Delaware and Historic Deerfield in Deerfield, Massachusetts.

Coincidentally, all of these flower pot saucers and flower pots are attributed to southeastern Massachusetts or possibly Cape Cod in the early-nineteenth-century. New Bedford is located close to where they were manufactured.

Unfortunately, I do not know how the "possible Asian" attribution was developed, but there are certainly some similarities that can be seen with the flower pot saucers and the candlestick's dish base. Additionally, the color of the candlestick's green-glaze is very-similar to the green-glaze that is seen on the following pair of flower pot saucers.

Note: Here is a link to a green-glazed red earthenware lamp that is owned by the New Bedford Whaling Museum, which is also said to have been made in another country. However, this object also retains a local history of ownership, and it may as well be a locally made product from southeastern Massachusetts, as well. The reason that I suggest such an attribution is a result of the overall form, the clay color and the color of the green-glaze.

Candlestick

19th Century Green-Glazed Red Earthenware Candlestick

Museum Says it May Have Been Made in Asia

However, the Base is Similar to a Group of Known Flower Pot Saucers that were Made in SE Mass.

According to the Museum, Circa 1800-1965

 Photo Courtesy: New Bedford Whaling Museum - New Bedford, Mass.

Flower Pot Saucers

Early-19th Century Green Glazed Red Earthenware Flower Pot Saucers

Likely Made in Southeastern Massachusetts

Circa 1800-1830

Ex-Hilary and Paulette Nolan Collection

View of the Base

Flower Pot Saucer

Early-19th Century Green Glazed Red Earthenware Flower Pot Saucer

Likely Made in Southeastern Massachusetts

Circa 1800-1830

Retains a History of Ownership in Little Compton, RI
Photo Courtesy: Little Compton, RI Historical Society

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