I truly feel that Lawrence's production was some of the most dynamic red earthenware produced in New England in the nineteenth century. He embraced both utilitarian and decorative platforms, whereas the artware that his company produced was in some ways a trailblazing effort. These achievements may have encouraged similar efforts by a small group of potters elsewhere in New England, who later gained substantial fame in the aftermath of Lawrence's vision.
Nevertheless, a lesser known pottery was operated nearby in Peabody, Massachusetts by Moses Paige, circa 1876-1940s. The production from Paige's Pottery is not common knowledge today - in fact, much of the utilitarian production that took place at this company can be misrepresented for products made elsewhere and decades prior. However, production was also compelling at this company, where it was, in many ways, similar to what Lawrence manufactured in Beverly, especially with the type of artware that was produced.
I have little doubt that Lawrence and Paige were friendly up until Lawrence's death in 1906. Both potters operated their business in similar ways. The comparisons are uncanny - and peculiar, where operations at times seemed to resemble each other, and potters even traveled back-and-forth to work at both companies.
I have written a lengthy feature story about Paige's Pottery that will be published sometime next month in Antiques and the Arts Weekly. I will post the exact week as soon as I know the details. This article should be exciting since much of the information that will be published has never been documented before, which includes an incredible amount of information obtained by the Peabody Historical Society directly from Paige's Pottery when the company was still in operation.
In the meantime, I have posted two images of some of the remarkable slip-decorated utilitarian red earthenware produced in Beverly. These objects were donated by Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins (Early New England Potters and Their Wares) to the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Lawrence's work is represented at some museums in New England, such as Old Sturbridge Village and Historic New England. But it is also owned by national museums, like the Smithsonian, as well as Winterthur in Delaware and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Note: I have posted two pieces from the Charles A. Lawrence Pottery in Beverly, Massachusetts - the pitcher is considered rare, where there are only so many examples known today; however, the pot is even rarer. I am only aware of one other pot in this form that survives today, which is owned privately in a longtime collection in Essex County, Massachusetts.
Red Earthenware Made in Beverly, Mass.
19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher
Attributed to the Charles A. Lawrence Pottery in Beverly, Mass.
Circa 1866-1906
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: The National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian
19th Century Red Earthenware Pot
Attributed to the Charles A. Lawrence Pottery in Beverly, Mass.
Circa 1866-1906
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: The National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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