A Signed 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar that May Have Been Made in Norwalk, Connecticut and a Sherd Found in Merrimacport, Massachusetts

Rare Signed 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar
I recently saw this nineteenth-century red earthenware jar (that may have been somewhat over-fired) listed on the website of Waynesboro, Virginia antique dealers, Christopher and Bernadette Evans. Similar forms have been correctly attributed to the nineteenth-century potter's industry in Norwalk, Connecticut (see 'Norwalk Potteries,' Winton, 1981); although, I believe comparable formed jars were also made on Long Island in the 1800s (see 'Useful Art: Long Island Pottery,' Corbett, 1985).

But what sets this jar apart from similar forms that exist today is the fact that the base has been inscribed, "D. Howell." Potentially, this inscription may turn this jar into a meaningful example of red earthenware from the northeast.

The signature also appears to have been completed before the jar was fired, which is different from other objects that are known today, where an owner's initial or name was scratched into the object after it had already been purchased from the potter. This signature is likely directly related to the potter's business, whereas the latter signatures are indicative of ownership.

I have not been able to link this person's name to either of the aforementioned industries; however, this may have been an apprentice or an undocumented potter, such as a traveling potter, who worked in Norwalk or on Long Island.

For what it is worth - these type of inscriptions are also found on red earthenware plates and platters that were produced at the Smith & Day Pottery in Norwalk, where a person's initials or name was applied in slip-decoration. Interestingly, the Smith & Day Pottery has also been tied to this type of jar, as well. Here is a link to Skinner's website in Boston that shows a variety of the slip-decorated plates and platters that I just referenced.

Nevertheless, I feel this is a very interesting piece of red earthenware, which is a result of the highly unusual signature on the base. This is definitely an object that can be used for research and conversation.

Note: Here is a link to the listing for this jar on Christopher and Bernadette Evans' website.

 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Possibly Made in Norwalk, CT

Circa 1800-1860

Base is Signed 'D. Howell'

Photo Courtesy: Christopher & Bernadette Evans - Waynesboro, VA

View of the Signature on the Base 'D. Howell'

Photo Courtesy: Christopher & Bernadette Evans - Waynesboro, VA

Sherd Found in Merrimacport, Mass.

I also wanted to show this red earthenware sherd today that I discovered yesterday at the site of the William Pecker Pottery in Merrimacport, Massachusetts. It appears that this location is where Pecker produced red earthenware and stoneware, circa 1790-1820. 

I occasionally hear that such a glaze is a "Maine-type glaze" or a "Gonic, New Hampshire-type glaze" or even a "Galena, Illinois-type glaze; however, it is really difficult to prove that a certain type of glaze is exclusive to a certain potter or even a distinct location/region. Although, there is certainly a better argument that can be made for specific styles of slip-decoration, which was produced in America in the eighteenth and nineteenth-centuries.

Yet, there is still so much to be learned today in regards to any given utilitarian potter's output - many potters, who are widely known today were likely involved with a broader field of production than what is known. I feel this sherd from the Pecker Pottery is indicative of that statement, where it has been decorated with a wonderful raspberry and cream colored glaze. This would normally be called a "Maine-type glaze" today. 

Interestingly, this specific glaze from the Pecker Pottery would also predate many of the potters, who would have applied this style of glaze in Maine in the nineteenth-century. A similar style of glaze has also been recovered within a pre-1775 archaeological context in Abington, Massachusetts and Charlestown, Massachusetts. I almost feel that I want to say that this type of glaze, which was also produced in Maine - is a glaze that originated in Massachusetts in the eighteenth-century before it spread to Maine in the nineteenth-century.

Large Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Sherd with a Colorful Glaze

Found at the Site of the William Pecker Pottery in Merrimacport, Mass.

Circa 1790-1820

See Article For More Information

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