EarlyAmericanCeramics.com: The Origin of a Known Group of 19th Century Earthenware Mugs and Pitchers

Monday, July 31, 2017

The Origin of a Known Group of 19th Century Earthenware Mugs and Pitchers

According to the Amana Colonies Visitors Bureau, "The Amana Colonies in Iowa are a group of settlements of German Prietists, compromising seven villages. Calling themselves the Ebenezer Society of the Community of True Inspiration, die Gemeinde der wahren Inspiration, they first settled in New York state near Buffalo in what is now the town of West Seneca. However, in order to live out their beliefs in more isolated surroundings they moved west to the rich soil of east-central Iowa (near present-day Iowa City) in 1855. They lived a communal life until the mid-1930s.

A striking feature of the Amana Colonies is that for eighty years they maintained an almost completely self-sufficient local economy, importing very little from the wider, industrializing U.S. economy. The Amanians were able to achieve this independence and life style by adhering to the specialized handcrafts and farming occupations which they had brought with them from Germany."

I have not been able to locate much information about utilitarian pottery production at the Amana Colonies; although, it is reported today that a potter named, John Fritz produced earthenware, circa 1856-1900. He is known to have manufactured faux wooden forms, such as pitchers and mugs often decorated with acorns, branches, leaves and animals; although, these also rare objects to find today. Fritz is also known to have marked some of his pottery on the base with an impressed stamp, "John Frtiz."

Nonetheless, I have determined that there is some confusion today with where Fritz actually worked; I have read that he was employed in Amana, but I have also found that this type of production has been attributed to Pennsylvania, as well.

It is unclear what type of relationship Fritz had with Philadelphia since Amana is located almost 1,000 miles to the west; whereas, Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland sold a mug made by Fritz in 2015 that was inscribed on the base, "JOHN FRITZ / 5TH R. SOMERSET ST. / PHIL."

19th Century Painted Faux Tree Earthenware Pitcher