EarlyAmericanCeramics.com: A 19th Century Molded Red Earthenware Pitcher Found in a Junk Shop in New Hampshire that was Likely Made in Pennsylvania

Saturday, July 29, 2017

A 19th Century Molded Red Earthenware Pitcher Found in a Junk Shop in New Hampshire that was Likely Made in Pennsylvania

I had almost forgotten about three nineteenth century molded red earthenware pitchers that I purchased from various places years ago, where they have been carefully tucked away in my cellar ever sense. However, while organizing my cellar this morning, I pulled these three objects out and began to wonder where they were made. I plan to show all three of these objects over the next few days; although, tonight I have written about the first of these three pitchers.

Molded Red Earthenware Pitcher with Relief Decoration: I purchased this pitcher in a junk shop in Loconia, New Hampshire probably three-or-four years ago, and at the time, I thought this pitcher appeared American, but I was suspect to its actual origin. The combination of the form, the decoration, the base, and the glaze really intrigued me.

Nevertheless, I gave this pitcher a good amount of thought today, but I am still a little confused as to its maker. The fact that it is molded with decoration in relief makes me wonder if it could have been made in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where companies, like the Swope Pottery are known to have produced molded red earthenware jars decorated with figures in arched panels.

But here is also a link to a nineteenth century red earthenware pitcher with a nearly identical molded base that was likely made in Lancaster County, which Crocker Farm sold in Sparks, Maryland in 2011.

Whereas, this pitcher also reminds me of similar molded, glazed and decorated pottery that was made by John Bell in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, circa 1850-1880. It is also worth mentioning that the clusters of grapes in relief, which have been applied below the rim is also a style of relief decoration that Bell is known to have used in the 1800s.

Here is a link to a John Bell red earthenware pitcher that was sold by Crocker Farm in 2016, which is definitely comparable to the pitcher that I found in New Hampshire, especially the handle and glaze.

Note: I may be wrong, but I believe this glaze was created with the combination of slip or an orange base and manganese - this is a similar style that John Bell would have likely used when he created a complementary glaze.

Molded Red Earthenware Pitcher Found in Laconia, New Hampshire