A Mysterious Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Sherd Possibly Manufactured in Philadelphia

Over the weekend, I acquired an incredible lifelong collection of auction catalogs, a complete run of The Magazine Antiques which began in 1921, among other publications from a well-known and successful antiques dealer in Newbury, Massachusetts. It was a very kind gesture; whereas this collection dates back to when this dealer's career began in 1971.

Interestingly, a fascinating red earthenware sherd was discovered Saturday afternoon as I reorganized my cellar to accommodate the 2,100 (or so) pounds of books now stored on brand new shelves. I found the sherd while my nephew and niece helped with the project.

To my knowledge, we have never seen this sherd before. It is not something that we discovered. It mysteriously fell out of a box that had been shipped to me in the past year. We have also not been able to determine if this box had any connection to this sherd. All we know is that it fell out of the box.

This sherd appears like it was made in Philadelphia in the eighteenth or early-nineteenth century, which would be a significant discovery if found in some type of context where I live. For now, though it is a mystery as to how this artifact appeared in a box in my cellar. But it's also a fun mystery!

Does anyone reading this recognize this sherd?

Collection of Books

Most of the Boxes of Books, But Not All of Them

My Nephew, Jason Helped Carry Many of the Boxes

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Mysterious Red Earthenware Sherd

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Sherd Likely Made in Philadelphia

Manner of the Slip and the Mica in the Clay are Both Found in Philadelphia Pottery

Context Currently Unknown

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View of the Back

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