Red Earthenware Chamber Pots Recovered in Portsmouth, New Hampshire that were Possibly Made at the Dodge Pottery

A few weeks ago, while walking around a local flea market, a friend handed me some paperwork that I feel is important to share tonight about the Dodge Pottery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This information cites how the Dodges sold some of their red earthenwares locally probably before the mid-nineteenth century. Not only does this information share how some of this pottery was dispersed, but it also describes the environment, where it was sold.

According to a book published in 1869 by Charles Warren Brewster, 'Rambles About Portsmouth Volume 2 - Sketches of Persons, Localities, and Incidents of Two Centuries: Principally from Tradition and Unpublished Documents,' "At the foot of the hill in Portsmouth, in the old building, demolished ten or a dozen years since, a widow lady kept one of those little shops so numerous at Portsmouth in former years. On the outer shelves was an array of crockery and earthenware, the latter with an especial eye to country trade, embracing, (from Dodge's Pottery), capacious milk pans, pots for beans or brown bread, jugs, pitchers for the haying field, and white mugs that would hold a full quart of cider. 

Among the older stock, were relics of a former day, mugs and pitchers adorned with Porter, Perry, Bainbridge, Hull and other heroes of the War of 1812, and that now almost forgotten personage, 'Toby Philpot.' 

Behind the counter were barrels and boxes of groceries, and upon the shelves above, pins, needles, thread, and other notions, with slate pencils, nuts and apples for the school boys. A cheese, whose excellence could always be relied upon, occupied a particular spot on the counter, and near by, arranged upon a line, were skeins of yarn, stockings, gloves, and mittens, taken in trade from country customers."

Yesterday, I showed a group of red earthenware artifacts that were recovered by archaeologists in the 1980s at the site of the Bennett-Dodge Pottery in Portsmouth, circa 1789 to early-1880s; although, I also included images from additional artifacts, which were recovered less-than one mile away on Deer Street at the site of the Hart-Shortridge house in Portsmouth's eighteenth and nineteenth century North End neighborhood. Some of these artifacts had previously been attributed by archaeologists to the Bennett-Dodge Pottery, but I also built upon those attributions yesterday demonstrating "why" I felt other objects from this site were also likely made at the Dodge Pottery.

Nevertheless, a number of chamber pots were also recovered by archaeologists from privies in the 1980s on Deer Street in Portsmouth's North End neighborhood; whereas, some of these objects were discovered in eighteenth century archaeological contexts, such as the examples with slip-decoration. But there were also at least one-half dozen chamber pots recovered adorned with colorful glazes that I feel could also be related to the production that took place at the Bennett-Dodge Pottery.

All of the following chamber pots are similar formed objects, which have been manufactured with comparable rims, footed bases, ribbed handles and two incised lines placed around the midsection of the body. The style of the glaze found on some of these objects is also comparable to some of the artifacts that I posted yesterday, such as the this first chamber pot (see pitcher posted yesterday).

Note: Here is a link to an introductory article that I wrote a few years ago about a red earthenware rundlet, which is attributed to the Dodge Pottery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire that is owned today by Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. This is a style that I have seen before, which is commonly attributed to coastal Massachusetts; although, I bet that some of those attributions may be incorrect based on the information that is on file at Yale University.

Chamber Pots Recovered in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Chamber Pot Recovered from a Privy on Deer in Portsmouth, NH

Possibly Made at the Dodge Pottery in Portsmouth, NH

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

 View of the Handle

Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

 Chamber Pot Recovered from a Privy on Deer in Portsmouth, NH

Possibly Made at the Dodge Pottery in Portsmouth, NH

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

 Chamber Pot Recovered from a Privy on Deer in Portsmouth, NH

Possibly Made at the Dodge Pottery in Portsmouth, NH

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

 Chamber Pot Recovered from a Privy on Deer in Portsmouth, NH

Possibly Made at the Dodge Pottery in Portsmouth, NH

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

View of the Handle

Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...

The Archaeology of the Dodge Pottery Site in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Circa 1789 to Early-1880s

History of the Dodge Pottery in Portsmouth, NH
According to Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins (Early New England Potters and Their Wares), "Whether any other person tried to run a pottery in Exeter, New Hampshire before Jabez Dodge (1746/47-1806) setup a shop is uncertain. Jabez was the son of Benjamin Dodge, a chair maker in North Beverly, Massachusetts, and he probably learned his craft at the potter's industry in Essex County, Massachusetts. 

Jabez was born in 1746/47. He married Lydia Philbrick of Exeter in 1771. It is safe to assume that the Dodge Pottery began at about that time.

Dodge's four sons were all trained as potters. The eldest, Benjamin Dodge (1774-1838) was born in 1774, and eventually departed for Portland, Maine, where he established an important multi-generational potter's business in that city around 1799. 

The second oldest son, Joseph (1776-1849), who was born in 1776, moved to Portsmouth, New Hampshire where he spent the rest of his life there as a clay worker. Joseph's house is still standing on Dearborn Street near the Piscataqua River. The site may be reached by following Vaughn Street from the railroad station until it becomes North Street west of the bridge; Dearborn crosses at this point.

In 1830, Joseph Dodge was employing three men and turning out some twelve hundred dollars worth of redware each year. He is listed in the Portsmouth directory of 1839-1840, with a house at 3 Dearborn Street, corner of North, and a shop in the rear."

Location of Bennett-Dodge Pottery in Portsmouth, NH
Circa 1789-1880s

This Property is Privately Owned Today
See Article for More Information

Archaeology of the Dodge Pottery in Portsmouth, NH
There is not a lot of information cited or published today about the Dodge Pottery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire; although, it was a multi-generational potter's business, which was established by Winthrop Bennett in 1789 (operated circa 1789-1796) and soon after operated by the Dodge family until at least 1860. But I suspect that this business was in operation until the early-1880s under the ownership of Joseph Dodge's son, Jabez Dodge  (1804-1884), who died in Portsmouth in 1884.

Yesterday, I studied the Dodge Pottery Archaeology Collection at Strawbery Banke's Archaeology Department in Portsmouth. The known site of the pottery was surveyed and partially dug by archaeologists in the late-twentieth century, where they found a variety of artifacts that were related to this business.

The evidence that I saw yesterday suggested that the wares made by the Dodges partially resemble the production that took place to the south in Exeter, New Hampshire, as well as the potteries in Essex County, Massachusetts. The forms included bowls, jugs, pans, crocks, pitchers and flower pots. There was a variety of bright glaze colors; although, I could also see a clear emphasis given to objects decorated with black exterior glazes and clear lead interior glazes. I also did not see any proof that slip-decoration was regularly applied at this potter's business.

I also saw a few jug rim sherds with a part of the handle still attached, where the potter had attached the handle to the rim. This was also a style popular with the potters in Essex County.

Colorfully-Glazed Sherd Recovered at the Site of the Bennett-Dodge Pottery in Portsmouth, NH

Circa 1789-1880s

Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

Colorfully-Glazed Sherd Recovered at the Site of the Bennett-Dodge Pottery in Portsmouth, NH
Circa 1789-1880s
Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

Colorfully-Glazed Sherd Recovered at the Site of the Bennett-Dodge Pottery in Portsmouth, NH
Circa 1789-1880s
Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

18th Century Hart-Shortridge House in Portsmouth, NH
However, I also want to include the fact that the Deer Street neighborhood in Portsmouth's North End was also excavated by archaeologists in the 1980s. This site was less than one mile away from the site of the Bennett-Dodge Pottery, where archaeologists uncovered a number of domestic red earthenware artifacts from a specific location on Deer Street that I feel likely relate to the Dodge Pottery, which was Portsmouth's primary source of domestic red earthenware until at least 1860.

According to an article published in 1988 in the 'American Ceramic Circle Journal' by archaeologists, Diana Edwards, Steven Pendery and Aileen Button Agnew, "The Hart-Shortridge House was a household lot located in Portsmouth's North End, whose occupants represent middle-class households throughout Portsmouth in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. 

In 1760, the ropemaker, John Hart purchased a 45 foot by 60 foot lot of land extending between Deer Street and Russell Street. On this land, he built a seven room, central hallway Georgian house that probably had a hipped roof, a feature of many eighteenth century Portsmouth houses. The house was later left by Hart's wife, Sarah Tripe to the children of her niece (Lois Shortridge), Sarah Ann (Shortridge) Adams and John Hart Shortridge."

Late-19th Century Photo of the Hart-Shortridge House in Portsmouth, NH

Built Circa 1760

Photo Courtesy: Patch Collection, Strawbery Banke Museum, Portsmouth, NH

Ceramics Recovered at the Hart-Shortridge House in Portsmouth, NH
The ceramics recovered at the Hart-Shortridge site represent the manufacture of both domestic and imported wares, such as German stoneware, European delftware, European pipes and Staffordshire slipware; although, I suspect that the majority of the domestic red earthenware is from local potters even though the forms and especially the glazes could be mistaken for pottery made in Maine, Massachusetts and possibly elsewhere in New Hampshire today.

Below, I have shown some of the objects recovered at the Hart-Shortridge site, which I feel may have been made at the Dodge Pottery in the nineteenth century.

1) Red Earthenware Pan and Related Sherds

This reconstructed red earthenware pan was found within a trash deposit at the Hart-Shortridge site, but related sherds to another pan were also found, as well. It is important to note that I did see this style of glaze and rim yesterday when I was reviewing the artifacts from the Dodge Pottery site. I have also included pictures of an intact red earthenware pan that was made with a matching rim, similar size and a matching glaze, which was found a few years ago in Newburyport, Massachusetts.

Reconstructed Red Earthenware Pan 

Recovered from a Privy at the Hart-Shortridge Site in Portsmouth, NH

Possibly Made at the Dodge Pottery

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

View of the Base

Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

(Left) Another View of the Pan

(Right) Similar Glazed and Formed Red Earthenware Pan Sherds

Recovered from a Privy at the Hart-Shortridge Site in Portsmouth, NH

Possibly Made at the Dodge Pottery

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

19th Century Red Earthenware Pan Found in Newburyport, Mass.

Form and Glaze Match the Sherds Found in Portsmouth, NH

Possibly Made at the Dodge Pottery

View of the Base

2) Red Earthenware Pitcher and Handle Sherd

The remains of this pitcher were found within a trash deposit at the Hart-Shortridge site in Portsmouth. The basic glaze matches the glaze found on the reconstructed red earthenware pan discussed above, and the handle closely resembles the form and glaze found on a thinly-made handle sherd recovered by archaeologists at the site of the Dodge Pottery.

Red Earthenware Pitcher

Recovered from a Privy at the Hart-Shortridge Site in Portsmouth, NH

Handle and Glaze Match a Handle Sherd Recovered at the Site of the Bennett-Dodge Pottery

Glaze Also Matches the Pan and Sherds Discussed Above

Possibly Made at the Dodge Pottery

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

Handle Sherd Recovered at the Site of the Bennett-Dodge Pottery

Believed to be Related to the Dodge Pottery

Handle Form and Glaze Match the Handle on the Pitcher Above

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

Another View of the Handle

Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

Another View of the Handle

Notice How Thin this Handle was Made

Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

3) Red Earthenware Pitchers and Handle Sherd

These red earthenware pitchers match in form; however, they were found in different trash deposits at the Hart-Shortridge site in Portsmouth, Although, the ribbed black handle found on the pitcher to the right closely resembles a black-glazed handle sherd recovered by archaeologists at the site of the Dodge Pottery. These pitchers also appear to have an Essex County, Massachusetts influence in the form; whereas, Edwards, Pendery and Agnew had also suggested a Bennett-Dodge attribution in the article (see Figure 14) that they wrote for the 'American Ceramic Circle Journal' in 1988.

Matching Red Earthenware Pitchers

Recovered from Separate Deposits at the Hart-Shortridge Site in Portsmouth, NH

Possibly Made at the Dodge Pottery

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

Handle Sherd Recovered at the Site of the Bennett-Dodge Pottery

Believed to be Related to the Dodge Pottery

Handle Form and Glaze Are Similar to the Black-Glazed Pitcher Above

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

4) Red Earthenware Bowls and Mug

These objects were also recovered from trash deposits at the site of the Hart-Shortridge house in Portsmouth - and, as-a-result of the archaeological context, the archaeologists described this production as "Piscataqua River region red earthenwares." But I suspect that these artifacts may also be related to the Dodge Pottery. I have also seen similar black-glazed bowls owned privately in Portsmouth, where these known objects were also acquired locally.

Red Earthenware Bowl Recovered at the Hart-Shortridge Site in Portsmouth, NH

Possibly Made at the Dodge Pottery

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

Red Earthenware Bowl Recovered at the Hart-Shortridge Site in Portsmouth, NH

Possibly Made at the Dodge Pottery

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

Red Earthenware Mug Recovered at the Hart-Shortridge Site in Portsmouth, NH

Possibly Made at the Dodge Pottery

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

5) Red Earthenware Porringer

This red earthenware porringer was also recovered from a trash deposit at the site of the Hart-Shortridge site in Portsmouth; whereas, archaeologists also described this porringer as "Piscataqua River region red earthenware." But like the previous mug and two bowls, I also suspect that this object may be related to the Dodge Pottery.

Red Earthenware Porringer Recovered at the Hart-Shortridge Site in Portsmouth, NH

Possibly Made at the Dodge Pottery

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

View of the Handle

Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

6) Red Earthenware Pan

I also wanted to show the remains of this red earthenware pan, which was manufactured with an unusual wide rim that must measure upwards of 1 1/2 inches wide. I have not seen this style of rim from this area in New England before; although, there were a few of these style pans found in the archaeology at Deer Street, which would suggest that they were possibly imported or produced locally.

Red Earthenware Pan Sherds with Wide Rim

Recovered from a Privy at the Hart-Shortridge Site in Portsmouth, NH

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

View of the Wide Rim

Photo Courtesy: Strawbery Banke Archaeology Department - Portsmouth, NH

Note: Here is a link to an introductory article that I wrote a few years ago about a red earthenware rundlet, which is attributed to the Dodge Pottery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire that is owned today by Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. This is a style that I have seen before, which is commonly attributed to coastal Massachusetts; although, I bet that some of those attributions may be incorrect based on the information that is on file at Yale University.

I also plan to show more of the domestic red earthenwware recovered from the Deer Street archaeology site in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in future articles that I will post on this website.

Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...

Early-19th Century Philadelphia Red Earthenware Recovered at the African-American Meeting House in Boston

According to the Museum of African-American History, "The African-American Meeting House on Beacon Hill in Boston was built in 1806 in what once was the heart of Boston's nineteenth century free black community. The Meeting House was host to giants in the Abolitionist Movement who were responsible for monumental historical events that changed this nation."

Last week, I posted three articles that showed the remains of red earthenware from Essex County, Massachusetts and southeastern Massachusetts, which appear to have been used at the African-American Meeting House in Boston in the early-to-mid 1800s.

The objects were uncovered within such an archaeological context, which would suggest that these objects were once utilized around the period when the meeting house was used to "found the New England Anti-Slavery Society with William Lloyd Garrison in 1832, and the 1833 farewell address of Maria Stewart, a black woman and the first American born woman to speak publicly before a gender mixed audience."

Then-and-Now -- Boston's African-American Meeting House

African-American Meeting House, Boston

Photo Circa 1890
See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: The Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities

African-American Meeting House, Boston

Built Circa 1806

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Museum of African-American History

Today, I would like to show a small group of red earthenware sherds that were uncovered in a similar archaeological context at the African-American Meeting House, where they appear to have been imported from Philadelphia. These objects were also likely originally acquired from a merchant in Boston after they had likely arrived by ship at a dock at Faneuil Hall.

The red earthenware made in Philadelphia in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries was certainly manufactured for the local market, but it was exported, as well. Archaeological evidence has been found in places, such as North Carolina, Delaware, New Jersey, New York City, Albany, New York, Boston and possibly even Maine.

For a comparison to the sherds recovered at this site: I have included pictures of three pieces of red earthenware from my private collection that I believe were made in Philadelphia or the surrounding area in the late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth century.

Red Earthenware Sherd with Incised Decoration

This first red earthenware sherd appears to be the remains of a slip-decorated bowl, dish or pan; it is decorated on the exterior with manganese that seems to have been applied with a sponge or a related tool, as well as a band of incised lines, which were probably placed around the midsection of the object.

The glaze found on the interior of this sherd closely resembles the glaze found on the interior of a red earthenware bowl that I own, which I have always suspected was made in Philadelphia (although, if not Philadelphia then southeastern Pennsylvania, but I have always felt the bowl was made in Philadelphia).

This bowl is similar in shape and somewhat glaze to a form that I have shown below in the group photo to the bottom right, where a number of these type of forms have been recovered in Philadelphia within circa 1770-1815 archaeological contexts.

 Group of Red Earthenware Likely from Philadelphia
Circa Late-18th/Early-19th Century

(Bottom Left) Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Bowl Likely from Philly, Otherwise SE Penn.

Interior Glaze on this Bowl Appears to Match the Interior Glaze on the Sherd Below

See Article for More Information
(Bottom Right) Late-18th or Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Bowl Attributed to Philadelphia
These Type of Bowls Have Been Recovered in Philadelphia, Circa 1770-1815
See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

Early-19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Sherd with Band of Incised Decoration

Recovered at the African-American Meeting House in Boston

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

 Another View of the Sherd and the Profile of the Rim

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

 View of the Interior Glaze on the Bowl and the Sherd
The Glazes Closely Resemble Each Other
See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

Another View of the Interior Glaze of the Bowl and Sherd

The Glazes Closely Resemble Each Other

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Sherds

These three slip-decorated red earthenware sherds are the remains of a bowl or a dish, where the style of the slip and the form of the rim is similar to artifacts that have been recovered in Philadelphia within late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth century archaeological contexts.

 Late-18th or Early-19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Charger

Attributed to Philadelphia
Circa 1780-1820

Measures 14" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

  Early-19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Sherds from Bowl or Pan

Recovered at the African-American Meeting House in Boston

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

 View of the Sherd and the Profile of the Rim

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

  Another View of the Sherd and the Profile of the Rim

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

 Another View of the Sherd and the Profile of the Rim

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass. 

Comparison of the Slip on the Bowl or Pan Sherd to the Slip on the Charger

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass. 

Note: Here are links to the previous three articles that I have published on this website about sherds recovered at the African-American Meeting House in Boston:

1) Southeastern Mass. Sherds Recovered at African-American Meeting House in Boston

2) Essex County, Mass. Sherd Recovered at African-American Meeting House in Boston

3) Sherds Found at African-American Meeting House Similar to Jug Owned by the Paul Revere House in Boston

Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...

New Information About the Moses Paige Pottery in Peabody, Massachusetts Found at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

Last week, I visited the American red earthenware and stoneware storage facility at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. I have previously visited this department; although, I did have a few specific goals in mind with this latest trip.

The majority of Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins' (Early New England Potters and Their Wares) collection is kept in this department, among many other incredible collections, as well. However, not all of the material from Watkins' collection was published in 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares.' There are some pieces that she acquired after the book was published in 1950, which include a few important signed and dated pieces from the Moses Paige Pottery in Peabody, Massachusetts, circa 1876-1930s.

The Paige Pottery is not widely known today, especially the glazed objects that were made by a potter named 'John Donovan' in the early-twentieth century no later than 1930. These type of objects also appear much earlier, and I suspect that much of this production, which survives today is attributed to a period of earlier production somewhere else in New England or America.

Nevertheless, the Smithsonian, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the Peabody Historical Society have taken a special interest with the wares made by Donovan in Peabody. Each museum owns fine examples that include signed objects, candle holders and colorfully-glazed vases.

The following three objects are from my collection and I feel comfortable saying that these objects were very likely made by Donovan in Peabody -- they appear directly related to the signed objects kept at the Smithsonian and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, which have been marked and dated by Donovan

Moses Paige Pottery Red Earthenware

  (Left) Late-19th or Early-20th Century Red Earthenware Mug

Attributed to the Moses Paige Pottery in Peabody, Mass.

Very Likely Made by John Donovan at the Paige Pottery

Circa 1876-1930

Stands 6 1/8"

See Article for More Information

(Right) Late-19th or Early-20th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher

Attributed to the Moses Paige Pottery in Peabody, Mass.
Very Likely Made by John Donovan at the Paige Pottery
Recently Found at Todd's Farm Flea Market in Rowley, Mass.

Reportedly Just Discovered Inside a House in Gloucester, Mass.

Circa 1876-1930

Stands 11 5/8" Tall

See Article for More Information

 20th Century Red Earthenware Vase Reportedly Made at the Paige Pottery in Peabody, MA

Very Likely Made by John Donovan at the Paige Pottery
Form Matches an Object Owned by the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.
Reportedly Ex-Collection Prof. Emeritus F.H. Norton 

Reportedly Made in 1928

Stands 8 1/4" Tall
See Article for More Information

Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...

An Important Painted Red Earthenware Jug Owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City

While visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City last week, I saw a wonderful small painted red earthenware jug, which had been stamped in ink on the base with the company's mark. This jug was manufactured in an ancient style, where Charles A. Lawrence was reportedly the first American potter to partake in this type of revival production at his company in Beverly, Massachusetts in the early 1870s.

According to a book published by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is also currently sold in the museum's bookstore, 'In Pursuit of Beauty: Americans and the Aesthetic Movement,' "Facsimiles of Greek terra-cotta vessels were some of the earliest artistic ceramics produced in America. The first known reference to an 'artware line' appeared in 1872, when the 'Beverly Pottery at the request of Boston ladies began to copy beautiful forms of ancient vases to order.' Charles A. Lawrence, the superintendent of that Massachusetts factory, intentionally limited his production of imitation Greek pottery, for he feared that if it became common it would depreciate in value. He therefore sold it only in small lots to his 'artistic' friends for their own private collections."

It did not take long to really understand why this object is owned by the MET today once I spent the afternoon taking in the sights at this incredible museum.

The museum owns a remarkable collection of ancient Grecian pottery, wheres, this Beverly jug seems to be specifically important to the museum's focus of both ancient Old World pottery and the aesthetic value of American utilitarian stoneware, red earthenware, art pottery and studio pottery.

It was my interpretation that this little jug really bridges the gap with the museum's focus in pottery, where it connects the ancient objects to the later pieces and their aesthetic values.

Understandably, this is a later object, which was made circa 1872, but it certainly does draw inspiration from the huge collection of Grecian pottery that the MET has on display today.

Note: Here is a link to the C.A. Lawrence Pottery jug listed on the Metropolitan Museum of Art's website.

C.A. Lawrence Pottery Ancient Style Jug

19th Century Ancient-Style Painted Red Earthenware Jug

Made at the Charles A. Lawrence Pottery in Beverly, Mass.

The Base Has Been Stamped in Ink with the Company's Name

Circa 1872

Stands 4 7/8" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art - New York City

Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...

19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Sherds Recovered at the African-American Meeting House in Boston

Last night, I posted an article about a green glazed red earthenware lid finial that was recovered within an early-nineteenth century archaeological context at the African-American Meeting House in Boston. I also wrote "The African-American Meeting House on Beacon Hill in Boston was built in 1806 in what once was the heart of Boston's nineteenth century free black community. The Meeting House was host to giants in the Abolitionist Movement who were responsible for monumental historical events that changed this nation."

Earlier this summer, I also posted an article about a nineteenth century green glazed red earthenware jug that is owned today by the Paul Revere House in Boston, which was acquired by the museum during the 1902-1908 period. The jug also likely retains a local history of ownership in Boston.

I had written, "This jug has never been cleaned and much of it is still covered in dirt - two days ago, I examined this jug in the sunlight and it is actually decorated with a vibrant green glaze, orange halos, along with some decorative separation in the glaze.

Similar formed jugs have been linked to nineteenth century potters in Essex County, Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire and southern Maine; although, Essex County red earthenware has been recovered in various archaeological contexts in the Boston-area, which does include sherds recovered from a previous archaeology dig in the backyard at the Paul Revere House. Whereas, additional archaeological contexts include Charlestown, Massachusetts, Dorchester, Massachusetts and a wonderful bowl from Peabody, Massachusetts, which was recovered a few years ago from a late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth century context at Boston Common.

Although, for what it is worth, I have not seen any red earthenware associated with Maine or New Hampshire recovered (yet?) at any archaeological sites in the Boston-area."

I was excited yesterday when I found a red earthenware sherd and handle that were the remains of a similar glazed and shaped jug, which were found within an early-to-mid nineteenth century archaeological context. I handled these artifacts while studying the archaeology collection from the African-American Meeting House at the Boston Archaeology Department in West Roxbury, Massachusetts.

The sherds really suggested to me that they appeared to have been made in the same area as was the jug that is owned by the Paul Revere House; however, the finger impression seen on the handle terminals is different. But this may simply suggest two different potters rather than separate states or areas/regions in New England.

Note: Here is a link to an online document that further analyzes the archaeology from the nineteenth century African-American Meeting House in Boston.

Red Earthenware Sherds Recovered at African-American Meeting House in Boston

 19th Century Sherds Recovered at African-American Meeting House in Boston

The Remains of an Ovoid Jug Possibly Made in Essex County, Mass.

See Jug Below from Paul Revere House for a Comparable Example

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archeology Dept., West Roxbury, Mass.

 Another View of the Sherd

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archeology Dept., West Roxbury, Mass.

View of the Interior of the Sherd

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archeology Dept., West Roxbury, Mass.

Jug Owned by Paul Revere House in Boston

  19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Owned by Paul Revere House in Boston

It May Retain a Local 19th Century History of Ownership
Possibly Made in Essex County, Mass.

Circa 1790-1860

Stands Approximately 8 1/2" Tall
Photo Courtesy: Paul Revere Memorial Association - Boston

 Another View of the Jug

Photo Courtesy: Paul Revere Memorial Association - Boston

View of the Handle

Photo Courtesy: Paul Revere Memorial Association - Boston

Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...