EarlyAmericanCeramics.com: A 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar from Maine that Appeared Last Weekend at a Stoneware Sale in Bennington, Vermont

Monday, May 8, 2017

A 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar from Maine that Appeared Last Weekend at a Stoneware Sale in Bennington, Vermont

Last week, the Stoneware Collector's Group held its semi-annual meeting in Bennington, Vermont; although, the highlight of the event for many was probably Brandt Zipp, a partner at Crocker Farm in Maryland, who spoke about the early Manhattan stoneware potters, as well as a behind the scenes visit to see Adam Weitsman's stoneware collection at the New York State Museum's storage facility in Albany, New York.

I have never attended this event, but I have heard it is a spectacular experience, which is orchestrated twice a year by North Granby, Connecticut antique dealers, Stephen and Lorraine German.

But another aspect of this event that always generates a lot of excitement is the stoneware sale that is held in front of the Camelot Village Antiques Center in Bennington, Vermont. Stoneware dealers from all over the country come together and offer their latest pickings and inventory for sale in this field. I have also heard this event described as a stoneware flea market, where one stoneware collector recently called it, "The world's greatest flea market."

However, red earthenware can also occasionally be found at the stoneware sale - and, that was the case last weekend when this wonderful nineteenth-century red earthenware jar was purchased by Brookfield, Massachusetts antiques dealer, Kris Cassuci. This jar was brought to Bennington by a Cape Cod antiques dealer, which is also presumably where the jar was discovered.

I have a special interest with this jar since I believe it was made in the North Yarmouth, Maine potter's industry, circa 1800-1860. I have written extensively about this industry on this website, where I have also explained how this type of form can be directly linked to North Yarmouth today. The attribution is based on the overall form of the jar, the rim, the base with no foot and the partial exterior glaze. I have also seen this style of jar recovered in archaeological contexts in the North Yarmouth area, which I have also previously written about.

Traditionally, these formed jars came with and without lids. The jars that were produced with a lid were normally made with an incised number on the base, whereas, the original lid also exhibited a matching incised number.

Note: A few months ago, I submitted an article about the eighteenth and nineteenth-century North Yarmouth, Maine potter's industry for publication. The article took a few years of research in order to write - I will post more information about this article once I hear about a potential publication date.

Red Earthenware Jar Found in Bennington, VT