An Important Stoneware Saggar Recovered in Charlestown, Massachusetts with a Mean Archaeological Date of 1738

This artifact is likely concrete proof that some stoneware was indeed produced at the Parker Pottery in Charlestown, Massachusetts, circa 1741-1745. It was recovered by archaeologists during the archaeology of Boston's Big Dig Project in the 1980s. This is a sherd from a salt-glazed stoneware saggar, which would have been a container that stoneware was placed inside to protect it from direct flames that it could have been exposed to during the firing process in the potter's kiln.

The ash glaze on this object is a glaze style that is also found on stoneware that was produced at the Anthony Duché Pottery in Philadelphia. Supposedly, Anthony's son, James Duché came to work for the Parker Pottery in Charlestown circa 1741 in order to help the Parkers produce stoneware.

This object was recovered at the Town Dock in Charlestown, which was originally near the Parker estate. The location for where this artifact was discovered was used as landfill for an early wharf system. The saggar was found within clay silt (material between sand and clay) - and, it was found in an archaeological context that saw an average date of 1738, which places it almost directly during the period that the Parker Pottery was reportedly producing stoneware in Charlestown.

The saggar was also found surrounded by a number of examples of Charlestown red earthenware, where the slip-decorated examples appear to have been produced at the Parker Pottery.

The Parker Pottery kiln waste may have eventually been deposited in other areas of Charlestown, where it would have been used as a strong barrier for landfill. A similar scenario appears to have happened with the Drinker Pottery in Charlestown in the 1600s with kiln bricks that were used to fill in a foundation on a neighboring property within a circa 1681-1707 archaeological context.

Note: For more information about the production of red earthenware and stoneware in Charlestown, Massachusetts before the American Revolution - I suggest these articles, which I have posted in the last week.

1) Charlestown: New England's Potter's Industry, Circa 1635-1775

2) The Stoneware Made in Charlestown, Massachusetts, Circa 1741-1745

3) An Important Red Earthenware Potter's Daybook, Circa 1747-1761

4) A Stoneware Handle Recovered in a Mid 18th Century Context

5) An Unusual 18th Century Stoneware Cup

6) The 17th & 18th Century Brick Maker's Industry in Charlestown and Medford

Stoneware Saggar Found in Charlestown, Mass.

18th Century Stoneware Saggar Recovered in Charlestown, Mass.

Likely Related to the Parker Pottery in Charlestown, Mass.

Recovered from Landfill at Charlestown's 18th Century Town Dock

The Saggar was Recovered in an Archaeological Context that saw a Mean Date of 1738

The Parkers Reportedly Produced Stoneware, Circa 1741-1745

 See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

Another View of the Saggar

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

View of the Ash Glaze

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

Another View of the Saggar

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

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