A 19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Cup Attributed to Maine

This nineteenth-century red earthenware cup was attributed to the John Corliss Pottery in the Days Ferry neighborhood in Woolwich, Maine when it sold at Northeast Auctions in Manchester, New Hampshire in the summer of 2011. It was consigned as part of Dr. Edgar Robertson's red earthenware collection, which had been owned in Essex County, Massachusetts. The cup was also previously owned by Ohio antiques collector and dealer, Samuel Forsythe.

I have not looked closely at this object; although, the real way to determine if this product was made at the Corliss Pottery is if the handle was manufactured with a fishtail handle. This is an attributable characteristic for wares made at the Corliss Pottery, circa 1825-1880. Here is a link to an article that further discusses the Corliss Pottery.

However, whether this cup was or was not made at the Corliss Pottery is kind of irrelevant to this article since I still believe this object was made in Maine in the 1800's. The characteristic that I really want to point out about this cup is the fact that it was decorated with a carefully applied line of slip-decoration around the rim. The only location that I have been able to accurately associate with slip-decoration in Maine in the late-eighteenth and nineteenth-centuries is the potter's industry in North Yarmouth, Maine.

I have seen slip subtly placed on jugs, jars and sherds from North Yarmouth - and, from what I have seen, the slip has never been applied in abundance. Instead, it is usually added as an accent that contributes to the glaze.  This is also how I perceive the slip, which was added to this cup. I actually think the slip could easily be overlooked on this object, and go unnoticed to someone, who quickly glance at it. This is a subtle style that I have found on most of the slip-decorated wares, which were made in North Yarmouth.

Maine Red Earthenware Cup with Slip-Decoration

19th Century Red Earthenware Cup Attributed to Maine

A Line of Slip-Decoration has Been Carefully Added Around the Rim

It Has Been Found that this Type of Slip-Decoration was Applied in North Yarmouth, ME

Circa 1800-1860

Stands 4" Tall

Ex-Samuel Forsythe Collection - Ohio

Ex-Dr. Edgard Robertson Collection - Massachusetts

Photo Courtesy: Northeast Auctions - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

View of the Slip-Decoration Around the Rim

Photo Courtesy: Northeast Auctions - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

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