18th Century Red Earthenware and Stoneware Owned by the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston

The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston owns a number of examples of nineteenth century stoneware from New England; although, the majority of the collection was gifted to the museum in 1971 by an MIT Professor and potter related to the famed Norton family in New England, Frederick H. Norton. However, the museum also owns a small selection of stoneware acquired elsewhere, such as the following inscribed late-eighteenth century bank or money box, which is currently on view in the Lurie-Mark's Gallery in the museum's new Americana Wing.

According to the MFA, "The early history of this bank is unknown, but it may have been owned by a member of the Williams family of New London County, Connecticut. It is inscribed with cobalt "Richard Williams / Mind and Save your Silver Money so that you can be a Man / Be comming / New London, June 9th 1798." The bank was acquired by the Museum of Fine Arts in 1981 from the Stradlings in New York City."

For some reason, I have admired the eighteenth century slip-decorated red earthenware colander on display with this bank a number of times, and I have somewhat overlooked the bank. But each object is significant for its own reasons. The colander was gifted to the museum in 1956, and manufactured about 1781 somewhere in coastal Massachusetts.

18th Century Red Earthenware and Stoneware Owned by the MFA in Boston

18th Century Red Earthenware Colander and Stoneware Bank

Both Currently on Display at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston

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Photo Courtesy: Museum of Fine Arts Boston

18th Century Inscribed Stoneware Bank Attributed to New London County, CT

"Richard Williams / Mind and Save your Silver Money so that you can be a Man / Be comming / New London, June 9th 1798."

Stands 4 1/2" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Museum of Fine Arts Boston

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Colander Attributed to Massachusetts

Circa 1781

Measures 14" in Diameter

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Photo Courtesy: Museum of Fine Arts Boston

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