A Rare 19th Century Red Earthenware Sherd Discovered Yesterday in Danversport, Massachusetts

My nephew, Jason and myself drove to a river in Danversport, Massachusetts yesterday, which is a location that we have discovered some sherds in the past that have been used for publication. This is a tidal river that was once used to deposit trash predominantly in the nineteenth century; although, we have also found eighteenth century and twentieth century artifacts at this site, as well.

The most common objects that we see while walking along this shoreline are usually nineteenth century bottles, broken European ceramics, broken stoneware often from Charlestown, Massachusetts and locally produced red earthenware.

We timed our visit perfectly yesterday when the river had just reached low tide. We did not find a lot; although, we did discovery a single red earthenware sherd in the mud (next to a Chinese decorated porcelain sherd) that was glazed in a style that I have never seen associated with the potter's industry in South Danvers (or Peabody), Massachusetts before.

This sherd revealed that the pot was originally glazed entirely on the interior; however, only the handle and the area that it was surrounded by was glazed on the exterior. This is a style that I have seen associated with nineteenth century red earthenware potters in Maine, New Hampshire and Connecticut, but I have not seen this technique from Essex County, Massachusetts.

I also believe that this sherd must have been locally made; it would not make sense for this type of pottery to have been produced elsewhere in New England and imported into Danversport, as a result of the huge amount of red earthenware production that took place in Peabody in the eighteenth, nineteenth and early-to-mid-twentieth centuries.

Note: My nephew, Jason made an eight-minute video yesterday, which I have posted below that demonstrates how close the potter's industry in Peabody, Massachusetts was to the location, where we found this sherd. The distance is less than two-miles; although, it took us eight-minutes to drive due to the traffic and one wrong turn.

I have also shown two nineteenth century red earthenware objects that I discovered in 2014 that are attributed to Maine, which were glazed in a similar style as to how this sherd would have originally appeared.

Tidal River in Danversport, Mass.

We Have Discovered Many Sherds at this Location at Low Tide in Danversport, Mass.

The Artifacts Are Almost Exclusively 19th Century Pottery and Glass

But There are 18th Century & 20th Century Objects, As Well

See Article for More Information

We Have Discovered Many Sherds at this Location at Low Tide in Danversport, Mass.

The Artifacts Are Almost Exclusively 19th Century Pottery and Glass

But There are 18th Century & 20th Century Objects, As Well

See Article for More Information

My Nephew, Jason Looking for Artifacts

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Red Earthenware Sherd Discovered Yesterday

(Left) 19th Century Sherd Discovered Yesterday with an Unusual Exterior Glaze Around the Handle

The Glaze Would Have Originally Only Covered the Handle and Area that Surrounds the Handle

There is Also an Incised Line that was Applied for a Simple Decoration

This Sherd was Likely Made in Peabody, Mass. in the 1800s

I Have Not Seen this Style of Glaze Before from the Potter's Industry in Essex County, Mass.

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Another View of the Sherd's Glazed Exterior

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View of the Sherd's Glazed Interior

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Video Shows Distance From Where Sherd was Found & Location for Part of the Industry in Peabody

The Distance is Less than Two-Miles

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Probably Made in Maine

 19th Century Red Earthenware Crock Found in Greenville, NH in 2014

Probably Made in Southern or Central Maine
Stands 7" Tall
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View of the Glazed Handle and the Glaze that Surrounds the Handle

This Glaze Technique is Similar to the Sherd Found in Danversport, Mass.

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John Corliss Pottery, Days Ferry, Maine

 19th Century Red Earthenware Handled Crock Found in 2014

Attributed to the John Corliss Pottery - Days Ferry, Woolwich, ME

Circa 1825-1880

Stands 5 1/2" Tall

Rim Measures 7" in Diameter
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View of the Glazed Handle and the Glaze that Surrounds the Handle

This Glaze Technique is Similar to the Sherd Found in Danversport, Mass.

See Article for More Information

View of the Glazed Interior

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