A Handle Sherd Recovered at the Site of the Old Osborn Family Pottery in Peabody, Massachusetts

My niece, Alexis and myself were surprised to find a black-glazed red earthenware handle sherd when we recovered hundreds of artifacts last week at the site of the old Osborn family pottery in Peabody, Massachusetts. We found broken sherds, wasters, kiln furniture and kiln brick; although, the manufacture of the handle struck me as a style that I have seen before, where the center dips down from both sides. I also believe that the handle is eighteenth-century in origin.

I do not know if there is a direct relationship, but I would not be surprised to learn that the handle sherd was somehow influenced by the eighteenth-century potter's industry in Charlestown, Massachusetts. It is documented today that some Charlestown potter's (apprentices, actual potters, etc.) are known to have traveled to Peabody for work in the 1700's. But I also believe that number could be higher since Peabody is located only eighteen-miles northeast of Charlestown.

Two nearly identical handles can be seen on a slip-decorated pot that was made in Charlestown, circa 1730-1760, which sold a few years ago at an auction in Augusta, Maine. The pot also retained a history of ownership in Winchester, Massachusetts, which is about seven-miles northwest of Charlestown.

To my knowledge: I can not recall having seen this type of handle produced anywhere else in New England in the eighteenth or nineteenth-centuries. Most New England handles are either simple pulled handles or press-molded handles; however, this type of handle appears that a potter (or more-likely potters) may have used a finger or thumb to make the handle dip between the two sides. I believe this type of handle can be used to help attribute an object to Essex County (and Charlestown), Massachusetts in the 1700's, but there should be other attributable characteristics, as well.

Note: I have also shown a late-eighteenth-century pitcher that I own, which was made with a similar handle; although, it is not as pronounced as the other handles. I also believe this is an Essex County, Massachusetts-made object, circa 1770-1820. I feel a strong argument can be made to tie this object to the Peabody potter's industry.

Here is also a link to the initial article that focuses on the history of the Osborn Pottery site in Peabody, Massachusetts, as-well-as an overview to the type of artifacts that we recovered.

Handle Sherd Found at the Site of the Osborn Pottery in Peabody, Mass.

Likely 18th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Handle Sherd
Recovered at the Site of the Osborn Pottery in Peabody, Mass.
Archaeological Context of the Site was Approximately 1740-1860

Similar Handles Seen on a Pot Made in Charlestown, Mass.

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Pot

Made in Charlestown, Mass., Possibly Made at the Parker Pottery

Circa 1730-1760

Handles Are Very-Similar to the Handle Sherd Recovered at the Osborn Pottery in Peabody, Mass.

Retains a History of Ownership in Winchester, Mass.

Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

View of the Handles

Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

Another View of One Handle

Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

Essex County, Mass. Pitcher with a Similar Handle

Probably Late-18th Century Essex County, Mass. Red Earthenware Pitcher
There are Characteristics that Could Tie this Object to the Peabody, Mass. Potter's Industry

The Handle is Similar to the Previous Handles, But Not as Pronounced

Circa 1770-1820

Stands 8 1/2" Tall

Another View of the Pitcher and a View of the Handle
The Handle is Similar to the Previous Handles, But Not as Pronounced

Another View of the Handle

The Handle is Similar to the Previous Handles, But Not as Pronounced

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