A 19th Century Red Earthenware Form that is Attributed to Vermont, Circa 1790-1830/40

I have always regarded this as a classic nineteenth century red earthenware form from Vermont, whereas, this form has also been previously attributed to western New York. But I absolutely do not agree with the New York attribution since this form has been regularly found in Vermont, with evidence that dates to at least the 1930s and 1940s when Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins was conducting research for her book, 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares,' which was published in 1950.

I believe the New York attribution began in 1991 when William Ketchum, Jr. published 'American Redware,' a book that provides a short introductory overview of each potter's region in America from New England, to the rest of the northeast, the Mid-Atlantic, the south, the midwest and the west coast.

On page 29, a similar formed jar is pictured with a slightly different rim that is described as a "small butter churn, possibly from New York or Vermont, circa 1840-1865." I assume the suggested New York attribution was developed by just the glaze; although, this type of glaze is found with red earthenware produced in a number regions in America and Ontario.

However, these type of objects likely date from the circa 1790-1830/40 period, and I do not believe they were ever intended to be used as butter churns. For example, I have closely examined a jar that likely possessed its original lid that was once owned by Connecticut antiques dealer, Lewis Scranton, and the lid merely suggested that these type of objects were originally designed by the potter as storage jars. I have also found with the jars that I have studied that most are fairly clean on the interior, which would also suggest some type of storage, rather than a butter churn.

I should also note that both of the jars, which I posted this morning retain twentieth-century histories of ownership in Vermont, with the darker glazed jar having been found in an older context of ownership. The Bennington Museum in Bennington, Vermont also owns a matching jar with brushed manganese decoration that is also attributed to Vermont.

Note: A very-similar jar from Lura Woodside Watkins' collection that was found in Vermont and attributed to Vermont is owned today by the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. The only difference that I can see is the rim on Watkins' jar is flat; whereas, these jars reveal a sharp edge on the rim. This difference may represent two different potters or simply two different styles from the same potter. The glaze on Watkins' jar also closely resembles the colorful glaze found on the jar that I have pictured to the right.

Red Earthenware Jars Attributed to Vermont

19th Century Red Earthenware Jars Attributed to Vermont

Both of these Objects Retain 20th Century Histories of Ownership in Vermont

Left Stands 8 1/8" Tall

Right Stands 8" Tall

Likely Circa 1790-1830/40

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View of the Handles

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Another View of the Jars

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