A Remarkable Black Glazed Red Earthenware Pot that Recently Appeared at an Antique Show in New Hampshire

This large, monumental barrel-formed black glazed red earthenware pot was recently acquired by a friend at an antique show in New Hampshire; although, the pot was reportedly discovered years ago in southeastern Massachusetts. The form is reminiscent to some small rundlets that were produced in the southeastern Massachusetts potter's industry in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries; however, I am not convinced that is where this pot was manufactured since barrel-formed objects are known to have been produced elsewhere in coastal Massachusetts in the eighteenth century.

For example, the Bayley family (circa 1715-1799) in Newburyport and Rowley, Massachusetts is known to have regularly produced black glazed barrel-formed mugs in the 1700s; as a result, I feel this pot could have been made in southeastern Massachusetts, but it could have also been produced at many other locations along coastal Massachusetts, as well. I have also seen a similar style of interior decoration attributed to the Southwick Pottery in Peabody, Massachusetts, but I suspect that this style could have also been created elsewhere.

Personally, I find the interior on this pot to be remarkable, where it has been entirely decorated with a coating of slip-decoration. This characteristic is what ultimately leads me to believe that this pot was manufactured in the eighteenth century, which is when slip was regularly applied by many potters employed along coastal Massachusetts. The use of slip in this region began to decline dramatically after the American Revolution, especially as the nineteenth century approached.

Note: To my knowledge: this is the only pot like this that survives today - I do not know of any museum or private collection, where a comparable object is owned. This pot would have also originally been produced with a matching black glazed lid.

Monumental Red Earthenware Pot

Monumental 18th/19th Century Barrel-Formed Red Earthenware Pot 

This Pot was Likely Made Along Coastal, Mass.

Reportedly Found Years Ago in Southeastern Mass.
The Entire Interior Has Been Decorated with a Coating of Slip Decoration
This Pot Would Have Also Been Originally Made with a Lid

Likely 18th Century in Origin
Stands Approximately 15" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private New England Collection

 Another View of the Pot

Photo Courtesy: Private New England Collection

 Another View of the Pot

Photo Courtesy: Private New England Collection

 Another View of the Pot

Photo Courtesy: Private New England Collection

 View of the Interior
See Article for More Information About the Interior

Photo Courtesy: Private New England Collection

Another View of the Interior

Photo Courtesy: Private New England Collection

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