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"

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(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

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