A Beautifully Glazed 19th Century Red Earthenware Handled Pot with a History of Ownership in Central Massachusetts

A few days ago, I discussed the production of Abner S. Wight, an important nineteenth-century potter, who worked in Keene, New Hampshire, Marlborough, New Hampshire, West Sterling, Massachusetts and East Brookfield, Massachusetts. Today, I would like to show a beautifully-glazed handled red earthenware pot that I believe may have been made in central, Massachusetts, which also might be related to Wight's production.

I have always wondered where this pot was manufactured - I have considered that it may have been made in Ontario, western New York or New England. But I have recently come to the conclusion that I believe it was made in central Massachusetts since it resided in a longtime antique dealers collection, who picked this object decades ago from a house in central Massachusetts; although, this dealer also happens to reside in central Massachusetts today, as well.

However, I also believe this jar was made in central Massachusetts, as-a-result of its production, where the form (rim, neck, collar and base) and the glaze (separation in the glaze) closely resembles a style of production that I demonstrated two-days ago, which is found in a collection of jars that I own. I showed four jars, which I believe were all made at Abner S. Wight's pottery in West Sterling since they all appear closely related to a jar that is marked with Wight's stamp. This is a stamp that Wight is thought to have occasionally applied when he owned a business in West Sterling, circa 1860-1865/66.

The handled pot is shown below with two of the jars, which I have previously written about - it appears (to me) that there is a close relationship found in the production of these jars, which seems to translate to the production found in the lidded pot. I also believe that the context that this pot was discovered years ago also likely helps contribute to the central Massachusetts attribution.

Note: Here is a link to the article that I posted yesterday, which further discusses Abner S. Wight's red earthenware production in central Massachusetts. I also feel that Wight is a potter, who can be overlooked today, where these type of glazes can be generically attributed to states that are known to have produced colorful glazes, such as Maine and western New York in the nineteenth-century.

Red Earthenware Lidded Pot

 19th Century Red Earthenware Handled  Pot

Possibly Made in Central Massachusetts

Retains a History of Ownership in Central Mass.

Possess Characteristics that are Similar to What Abner S. Wight Produced in West Sterling, MA

See Jars Below

Likely Mid-19th Century

Stands 8 7/8" Tall

 Another View of the Pot

 Another View of the Pot

View of the Handle

View of the Lid

Two Jars with a Similar Style of Production

(Left) 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar

Attributed to Abner S. Wight - West Sterling, Mass.

Circa 1860

Stands 8" Tall

(Right) 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar

Attributed to Abner S. Wight - West Sterling, Mass.

Also Retain History of Ownership in Central Mass.

Circa 1860

Stands 8 1/2" Tall 

 Another View of the Jars

Another View of the Jars

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