A Rare 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar that was Purchased in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

A few years ago, I acquired this rare nineteenth-century red earthenware jar from Pittsford, Vermont antiques dealers, Michael and Lucinda Seward at an antique show in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. At the time, I remember some people had speculated that this jar may have been made by Charles A. Mehwaldt in Bergholz, New York, as-a-result of the number '2,' which had been incised on the side of the jar. The incised number is a characteristic that some of Mehwaldt's red earthenware products exhibit today, including a few examples that are owned by the New York State Museum in Albany, New York. However, this type of incised number is not just limited to Mehwaldt's production - there were plenty of other potters, who also used this technique.

Michael Seward had told me that he felt this jar was made in Massachusetts, as that is also where I recall that he picked the object. I also felt the jar was made in New England since I remembered a similar jar that had been for sale with Sheffield, Massachusetts antiques dealer, Samuel Herrup, which was similar in form with identical handles (see below).

Ultimately, I purchased the jar due to its rare form, rare glaze and rare handles. Initially, when I saw this object -- the handles also reminded me of similar handles that are on a jar that is owned by Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. The museum's jar also retains a history of ownership in Sandwich, Massachusetts, where I believe it was likely made nearby at the Bradford-Parker Pottery on Cape Cod in West Barnstable, Massachusetts, circa 1820-1850.

Note: Here is a link to an article that discusses the jar that is owned by Old Sturbridge Village, which retains a history of ownership in Sandwich. Here is also a link to a recent article that discusses the archaeology of the Bradford-Parker Pottery in West Barnstable, where similar spotted glazes were recovered when compared to what is seen on this jar.

I have also shown a late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth-century red earthenware jar from southeastern Massachusetts, which is incised in a similar style with the number '29.'

Jar Purchased a Few Years Ago

 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to New England

Likely Made in Central or Northern New England

Possibly Made at the Bradford-Parker Pottery in West Barnstable, Mass.

Jar Incised on the Side with a Number '2' (See Jar Below)
Form is Very Similar to the Form (and Handles) Seen on the Jar Below

Circa 1800-1840

Stands 10" Tall

Another View of the Jar

View of the Incised Number '2' 

View of One Handle 

View of the Other Handle 

View of the Interior 

View of the Footed Base 

View of the Base 

Another View of the Base

Jar Sold by Samuel Herrup

 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to New England

Likely Made in Central or Northern New England

Possibly Made at the Bradford-Parker Pottery in West Barnstable, Mass.
Form is Very-Similar to the Form Discussed Above
Unusual Handles Match the Handles Seen on the Jar Discussed Above

Circa 1800-1840

Stands Approximately 10" Tall
Photo Courtesy: Samuel Herrup - Sheffield, Mass.

Southeastern Massachusetts Jar

Late-18th or Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Jar

Attributed to Southeastern Massachusetts

Jar Incised with a Number '29'

A Similar Incised Number '2" is Seen on the Jar Discussed Above

Circa 1780-1820

Stands Approximately 9" Tall

Photo Courtesy; Private New England Collection 

Another View of the Jar

Photo Courtesy; Private New England Collection

Comparison of Incised Numbers

 View of the Incised Number '2" on the New England Jar

View of the Incised Number '29' on the Southeastern Massachusetts Jar

Photo Courtesy; Private New England Collection

Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...