Artifacts Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Privy in Philadelphia

Earlier this week, I posted four articles that demonstrated the type of red earthenware and stoneware manufactured in Philadelphia before the American Revolution. This type of production is really remarkable to see today since most of it has not survived, especially some of the more visual objects made by the city's French and German immigrant potters. The red earthenware artifacts included slip-decoration, black-glazes and important examples of sgraffito. These objects were recovered from various brick-lined privies throughout Philadelphia in the area that surrounds the Museum of the American Revolution, which is the oldest neighborhood in the city.

Nevertheless, Philadelphia's red earthenware production was just as prominent after the American Revolution, as well. All of the following artifacts were recovered by Chris Rowell from a circa 1790-1820 brick-lined privy at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia.

It's really interesting to see the focus given by Philadelphia's potters towards both vibrant colored slip-decorated objects and dark black-glazed wares. It should also be noted that this type of production was not only limited to the local marketplace; whereas, these type of wares were shipped to a number of locations along the eastern seaboard.

Six small slip-decorated red earthenware bowls were also recovered from this circa 1790-1820 privy; this also happens to be one of the styles that I enjoy most from any industry in America in the eighteenth or nineteenth centuries. These type of bowls have also previously been published in Ceramics in America.

Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Plates Recovered in Philadelphia

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Plate Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Plate Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Plate Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Plate Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Pans Recovered in Philadelphia

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Pan Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Pan Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Pan Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Pan Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Pan Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Pan Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Pan Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Pan Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowls Recovered in Philadelphia

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

Red Earthenware Mug Recovered in Philadelphia

18th/19th Century Red Earthenware Mug Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

Red Earthenware Jug Recovered in Philadelphia

18th/19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

Red Earthenware Pitchers Recovered in Philadelphia

18th/19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th/19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Recovered in Philadelphia

18th/19th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Chamber Pot Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th/19th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Chamber Pot Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th/19th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Chamber Pot Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th/19th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Chamber Pot Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th/19th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Jug Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th/19th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Chamber Pot Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 606 Hancock Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

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

18th Century Red Earthenware Chamber Pot and Bowl Recovered in New York City

As noted in a post also from today, local red earthenware production in Manhattan in New York City before and after the American Revolution occurred at potteries operated by Jonathan Durell and the Campbell family. But there may have been additional businesses, as well.

Both of the following objects were recovered from privies; the chamber pot was discovered by Manny Birittieri in the 1980s in an eighteenth century privy in Lower Manhattan and the slip-decorated bowl was found by Bill Asadorian broken in two halves in an eighteenth-and-nineteenth century privy in Manhattan.

Not a lot of information has been published about the red earthenware manufactured in New York City in the eighteenth century; although, these objects may represent that production. For instance, it is known today that some of New York City's red earthenware was influenced by what was produced in Philadelphia during the period, and the following bowl does exhibit that type of an appearance. 

The chamber pot could have also been manufactured in New York City since this is a form that would have been in demand. It is also a form that would have been regularly manufactured by Durell, the Campbells and any other local potters. The combination of the rim and handle are also unusual for what is known elsewhere; although, this style of rim is found on some red earthenware chamber pots manufactured in Philadelphia. As a result, it is likely a safe interpretation to say this chamber pot has a very good chance of being an example of local New York City production.

Red Earthenware Chamber Pot Recovered in Lower Manhattan

18th Century Red Earthenware Chamber Pot
Recovered from an 18th Century Privy in Lower Manhattan in the 1980s
Very Possibly Locally Made in New York City
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Manny Birittieri

Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Recovered in Manhattan

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl
Recovered from an 18th/19th Century Privy in Manhattan

Possibly Locally Made in New York City

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Manny Birittieri

View of the Base
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Manny Birittieri

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

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Recovered in New York City in the 1980s

This restored eighteenth century slip-decorated red earthenware bowl was recovered by Manny Birittieri from an eighteenth century privy in Lower Manhattan in the 1980s. The production may appear like wares made in eastern Pennsylvania during the period, but I suspect this may represent local production. 

I do not want to give away a lot of information in this article today since I have written a feature story about local seventeenth and eighteenth century production in New York City, as well as the type of wares imported into the city in the nineteenth century, which should be published sometime later this year. But the technique used to apply the slip on this bowl is very similar to some eighteenth century artifacts that I have studied, which were recovered in Manhattan, and kept today at the New York State Museum in Albany, New York. Those sherds are thought to have been produced locally. 

There were at least two red earthenware potteries in operation before and after the American Revolution in Manhattan; the first was owned and operated by Jonathan Durell, a potter who trained in Philadelphia; whereas, the second pottery was run by the Campbell family. Not a lot of information is known about either pottery, but this bowl could certainly represent either business.

Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Recovered in New York City

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl

Recovered from an 18th Century Privy in Lower Manhattan in the 1980s

Very Possibly Manufactured in Manhattan

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Manny Birittieri

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

Artifacts Recovered from a Circa 1750s-1760s Privy in Philadelphia

Yesterday, I wrote about an important group of domestic Colonial artifacts that were recovered by archaeologists at the site of the Museum of the American Revolution. Some of these previously undocumented artifacts were on display this past winter at the annual Ceramics and Glass Fair in New York City. The wares represented production in Philadelphia from both immigrant French and German potters, and the site that these wares were discovered was also the oldest location in Philadelphia.

About one-tenth of a mile from the site of the Museum of the American Revolution is where Chris Rowell and others recently recovered a variety of locally-made wares and imported products. These objects were carefully removed from a circa 1750s-1760s brick-lined privy at 5 North 3rd Street in Philadelphia.

A group of imported pottery was found within this context. The objects included a number of styles of English stoneware and a possible example of pottery from the Caribbean, which may be related to artifacts recovered from a similar context at Faneuil Hall in Boston.

However, the locally-made slip-decorated red earthenware discovered in this privy is absolutely remarkable. The best example is likely a sgraffito red earthenware dish adorned with a large bird in the center. This object is thought to have been produced locally in the early-to-mid-eighteenth century, and the decoration resembles some of the sgraffito decoration found on red earthenware from North Devon, England recovered by archaeologists from Strawbery Banke within a similar Colonial context in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Red Earthenware Dishes and Plates

18th Century Slip-Decorated Sgraffito Red Earthenware Plate Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1750s-1760s Brick-Lined Privy 

The Privy was Located at 5 North 3rd Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Plate Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1750s-1760s Brick-Lined Privy 

The Privy was Located at 5 North 3rd Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Plate Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1750s-1760s Brick-Lined Privy 

The Privy was Located at 5 North 3rd Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Plate

Recovered from a Circa 1750s-1760s Brick-Lined Privy 

The Privy was Located at 5 North 3rd Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Plate Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1750s-1760s Brick-Lined Privy 

The Privy was Located at 5 North 3rd Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

Black-Glazed Red Earthenware

18th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Pot Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1750s-1760s Brick-Lined Privy 

The Privy was Located at 5 North 3rd Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Mug Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1750s-1760s Brick-Lined Privy 

The Privy was Located at 5 North 3rd Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Pot Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1750s-1760s Brick-Lined Privy 

The Privy was Located at 5 North 3rd Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Chamber Pot Pot Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1750s-1760s Brick-Lined Privy 

The Privy was Located at 5 North 3rd Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

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

Artifacts Recovered from a Circa 1735-1755 Privy in Philadelphia

Yesterday, I posted two articles that illustrated the types of locally produced eighteenth century red earthenware recovered from privies in the oldest area of Philadelphia. The first privy was found at 118 Cuthbert Street and characterized as a circa 1750s context; whereas, the second privy was located at 232 Race Street and filled with artifacts from a circa 1740s to 1780s context.

The artifacts discovered in these privies are owned today by Chris Rowell who has been involved with recovering a number of important artifacts from sites throughout Philadelphia and Baltimore. However, the objects found in these contexts are not only limited to domestic red earthenware production.

For example, the artifacts posted in this article today were also recovered by Chris Rowell within a circa 1735-1755 brick-lined privy at 236 Church Street in Philadelphia. I have posted both domestic and imported ceramics. This site is also located less than one-quarter mile from the Museum of the American Revolution, which I cited in both articles yesterday.

The most important object recovered from this privy is very-possibly an eighteenth century stoneware chamber pot attributed to Anthony Duché's pottery in Philadelphia. Duché was an important Colonial potter involved with both red earthenware and stoneware production (among other enterprises) sometime before 1730 until about the early-1760s. Similar chamber pots have been recovered in Philadelphia marked with Duché's initials.

Duché's three sons, Andrew, Anthony, Jr. and James were also involved with the local pottery industry, and two eventually left for opportunities elsewhere in America. Andrew moved south to Savannah, Georgia in search of clay that could be used in the manufacture of porcelain, but he also produced stoneware as evident by a circa 1736-1743 jar that is currently owned by the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Anthony, Jr. remained in Philadelphia, but James moved north to Charlestown, Massachusetts where he helped Grace Parker and Thomas Symmes produce some stoneware during the circa 1742-1746 period. Although, he returned to Philadelphia sometime around 1746.

The imported ceramics recovered from this circa 1735-1755 privy include tin-glazed earthenware, European stoneware, as well as some great examples of English slipware and combware. Interestingly, five small slipware cups or mugs were recovered from this context.

A variety of locally-made Philadelphia slip-decorated red earthenware plates and bowls were also uncovered from this privy, as well as black-glazed red earthenware. I have always found it fascinating to see the emphasis that Philadelphia potters gave to the manufacture of both colorful slip-decorated wares and black-glazed pottery before and after the American Revolution.

Stoneware Chamber Pot

18th Century Stoneware Chamber Pot

Attributed to Anthony Duché's Pottery in Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1735-1755 Brick-Lined Privy 

The Privy was Located at 236 Church Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

English Slipware and Combware

18th Century English Slipware Earthenware Dish

Recovered from a Circa 1735-1755 Brick-Lined Privy 

The Privy was Located at 236 Church Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century English Combware Earthenware Dish

Recovered from a Circa 1735-1755 Brick-Lined Privy 

The Privy was Located at 236 Church Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century English Slipware Earthenware Cup or Mug

Recovered from a Circa 1735-1755 Brick-Lined Privy 

The Privy was Located at 236 Church Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century English Slipware Earthenware Cup or Mug

Recovered from a Circa 1735-1755 Brick-Lined Privy 

The Privy was Located at 236 Church Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

Philadelphia Red Earthenware Plate

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Plate Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1735-1755 Brick-Lined Privy 

The Privy was Located at 236 Church Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

Philadelphia Red Earthenware Bowls

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1735-1755 Brick-Lined Privy 

The Privy was Located at 236 Church Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1735-1755 Brick-Lined Privy 

The Privy was Located at 236 Church Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1735-1755 Brick-Lined Privy 

The Privy was Located at 236 Church Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1735-1755 Brick-Lined Privy 

The Privy was Located at 236 Church Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

Another View of the Bowl

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

Another View of the Bowl

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

Another View of the Bowl

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

Philadelphia Black-Glazed Red Earthenware

18th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Mug Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1735-1755 Brick-Lined Privy 

The Privy was Located at 236 Church Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Plate Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1735-1755 Brick-Lined Privy 

The Privy was Located at 236 Church Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Porringer Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1735-1755 Brick-Lined Privy 

The Privy was Located at 236 Church Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Chamber Pot Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1735-1755 Brick-Lined Privy 

The Privy was Located at 236 Church Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

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