A Rare 19th Century Slip-Script Red Earthenware Plate Embellished "New York City"

The article I posted earlier today consisted of eighteenth and nineteenth century red earthenware objects made in Norwalk, Connecticut based on examples owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the Wilton, Connecticut Historical Society. I had mentioned that I visited the MET last summer, where I was fortunate to view some of the Norwalk pieces owned by the museum.

With that said, I could not pass up the opportunity to examine and share this significant piece of slip-script also owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This plate is embellished with the words "New York City." In my opinion, this is an absolutely remarkable piece of pottery.

I don't want to get into too much detail about New York City today since I have written a feature story about seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth century red earthenware manufactured and recovered throughout the city that should be published later this year. However, it is known that a ton of pottery was shipped to the city in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Stoneware was a major industry in New York City, but there was still a huge demand for red earthenware. That demand was for a period partially filled by local potters, but the demand eventually outgrew the local supply, and potters located in New Jersey, Long Island, Connecticut, among other places took advantage of this opportunity. This plate may also serve as further proof of the connection that the industry in Norwalk is known to have had with New York City in the nineteenth century.

This plate is attributed to the Asa Smith Pottery in Norwalk, circa 1825, and it may have been decorated by Henry Chichester who was considered a master calligrapher at the pottery.

"New York City" Red Earthenware Plate

19th Century Slip-Script Red Earthenware Plate Adorned with the Words "New York City"

Attributed to the Asa Smith Pottery in Norwalk, CT

Possibly Decorated by Henry Chichester

Circa 1825

Measures 13 1/3" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art

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