Red Earthenware Production in River Edge, New Jersey, Circa 1811-1867

The production of slip-script is well-documented today on red earthenware manufactured in Connecticut, Long Island and Pennsylvania. As a matter of fact, the slip-script produced in Norwalk, Connecticut was even the subject of an article written by Richard Miller for the 2016 issue of Ceramics in America - and also an article about Long Island red earthenware written by Anthony Butera, Jr. for the 2003 issue of Ceramics in America. However, it is lesser known today that a similar style of production happened less than 20 miles northwest of New York City in River Edge (formerly known as Newbridge), New Jersey.

River Edge is conveniently located next to the Hackensack River, a passageway that certainly provided export opportunities to New York City, in what was a major market for both red earthenware and stoneware businesses in and around the city.

The slip-script manufactured in River Edge (see link in note section below) was likely most prominent at a business operated by George Wolfkiel (1805-1867), a potter who had relocated from Franklin County, Pennsylvania as early as 1830. He likely learned the potter's trade in Pennsylvania, which would suggest his New Jersey production may have originally demonstrated that influence - although, I suspect that he was also influenced upon his arrival by what was already manufactured in River Edge. Furthermore, he also produced stoneware in New Jersey, such as "salt glazed crocks decorated in blue with the American flag and his signature," which were apparently documented in 1920 in a loan exhibition at the Bergen County Historical Society.

Wolfkiel eventually purchased a pottery in River Edge about 1847 that was once operated by Henry Jacob Van Saun (1755-1829). Van Saun had established the business about 1811; whereas, his most recognized production today is likely a group of red earthenware plates that he manufactured during the circa 1824-1826 period. These plates were embossed in the center with characters like George Washington, Martha Washington and Marquis de Lafayette, which commemorated Lafayette's visit to Hackensack, New Jersey in 1825, and the 50th anniversary of America's independence. But this was far from all that he produced, where production certainly incorporated all the expected household forms used during the period. There was also probably an emphasis given to objects manufactured with manganese. I have also recently seen simpler utilitarian objects attributed to River Edge that could be interpreted as production from Pennsylvania, such as black glazed pitchers with bulbous bodies (see Bergen County example below).

Archaeological evidence recovered about 1902 revealed a specific stylized "W" and "Y" (see link in note section below) among other slip-script characters that can be attributed to Wolfkiel's production. Undoubtedly, this is a type of production that survives today, which could possibly be unintentionally attributed elsewhere.

According to the Bergen County Historical Society, "The characters placed on the plates of George Wolfkiel include initials, names, dates, bird forms and abstract designs."

Nevertheless, earlier this year, a multi-colored slip-decorated red earthenware dish depicting a bird sold at Sotheby's in New York City, during the city's annual Americana Week. This plate was reportedly attributed to Fair Lawn, New Jersey, circa 1800, which is located only five miles west of River Edge. The decoration found on this plate may somewhat represent how some of the birds appeared that were produced by Wolfkiel after 1830.

However, the use of slip-birds on plates seem to have been a popular decorative motif with nineteenth century red earthenware potters throughout New Jersey. For example, there are plates known today manufactured about 45 miles south of River Edge in Matawan, New Jersey, among probably other locations, as well. A similar type of decoration was also popular throughout Pennsylvania.

Slip-Decorated Dish Attributed to Fair Lawn, NJ

19th Century Red Earthenware Plate Decorated with a Bird

Reportedly Attributed to Fair Lawn, New Jersey

Fair Lawn, NJ is Located Only Five Miles West of River Edge, NJ

Reportedly Circa 1800

Measures 3 7/8" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Sotheby's

Recent Auction Sales

To my knowledge, there has not been many examples of red earthenware plates made in River Edge that have sold publicly in the last 15 years. I only known about two examples - the first sold at Skinner in Marlborough, Massachusetts in August 2009, where it also adorned the cover of the auction catalog. This plate is decorated in slip-script with the word, "Sally." The style of the writing, especially the curl on the "Y" attributes this plate to George Wolfkiel, circa 1830-1867,

George Wolfkiel Plate Sold in 2009

19th Century Slip-Script Red Earthenware Plate Decorated with the Word "Sally"

Attributed to George Wolfkiel in River Edge, New Jersey

Circa 1830-1867

Measures 9 1/2" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Skinner

The second plate was badly damaged and sold by Pook and Pook in Downington, Pennsylvania in December 2015. It was made by Henry Jacob Van Saun during the circa 1824-1826 period. This rare survivor celebrates the 50th anniversary of America's independence with a bust of George Washington surrounded by 13 stars in relief in the center of the plate.

Henry Jacob Van Saun Plate Sold in 2015

19th Century Red Earthenware Plate

Attributed to Henry Jacob Van Saun in River Edge, New Jersey

Decorated with George Washington and 13 Stars in Relief
Plate Celebrates America's 50th Anniversary of Independence

Circa 1824-1826

Measures 11" in Diameter

Photo Courtesy: Pook and Pook

Note: Here is a link to an article posted on the Bergen County, New Jersey Historical Society's website that shows a variety of slip-decorated objects attributed to River Edge, New Jersey. These objects include production from Henry Jacob Van Saun (ca. 1830-1867) and George Wolfkiel (ca. 1811-1829), such as a remarkable platter attributed to Wolfkiel, which reads, "Hard times in Jersey." One of the museum's plates even demonstrate an abstract style of slip-decoration commonly found on red earthenware manufactured in southeastern Pennsylvania in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Red Earthenware Attributed to River Edge, NJ

19th Century Red Earthenware Attributed to River Edge (formerly Newbridge), New Jersey

Collection Represents Production from Both Henry Jacob Van Saun and George Wolfkiel

Circa 1811-1867

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Bergen County, NJ Historical Society

Another View of the Red Earthenware from River Edge, New Jersey

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Bergen County, NJ Historical Society

Red Earthenware Pitcher Reportedly Attributed to Bergen County, NJ

19th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Pitcher

Reportedly Attributed to Bergen County,  NJ

The Form is Similar to Objects Produced in Pennsylvania

Stands 8" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Hartzell's Auction Gallery - Bangor, PA 

View of the Base

Photo Courtesy: Hartzell's Auction Gallery - Bangor, PA 

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