Norwalk, Connecticut Red Earthenware Owned by the Wilton, Connecticut Historical Society and the Metropolitan Museum of Art

According to the Wilton, Connecticut Historical Society, "A spectacular new show is set to debut the first weekend in June called Objects of Desire. It's all about great objects; objects with stories to tell; objects that tell your story. About twenty-five select dealers will offer objects ranging from antique to mid-century to contemporary. The show will feature a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind garden accents, fine furniture, accessories, found objects, and art beautifully presented on the verdant grounds of the Wilton Historical Society."

I learned about this new event a few weeks ago at the antique shows in Brimfield, Massachusetts, and it reminded me about the wonderful collection of nineteenth century red earthenware and stoneware from Norwalk, Connecticut that is owned by the Wilton Historical Society (located only a few miles from Norwalk). The museum's collection was also a subject in a feature story written for the June 2008 issue of the New England Antiques Journal.

I'm not sure if the pottery will be available for viewing, but if it is, then it is definitely worth checking out while at the show. The museum has an entire room devoted to displaying utilitarian pottery made in Norwalk. The stoneware includes a variety of cobalt decorated forms, and the red earthenware consists of jugs, jars, slip-decorated plates and plates adorned in slip-script. Some of the slip-script plates read, "Apple Pie," "Clams and Oysters," "Cheap Ware," "Money Wanted," "Mary's Dish" and "Lafayette."

Also according to the Wilton Historical Society, "Henry Chichester of the Asa Edward Smith (1798-1880) and Sons Pottery in Norwalk was a nineteenth century master calligrapher, and was responsible for many of the most distinctive decorations."

Last summer, I wrote about a rare slip-decorated red earthenware dish that I had just acquired at an auction in New Hampshire, which was likely made in Norwalk, and I was also fortunate last year to view some of the Norwalk objects that are owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

These are two of the Norwalk pieces owned by the MET - the first is a slip-script plate embellished with the word "Lafayette," and very-similar to an object owned by the Wilton Historical Society. It is attributed to the Asa Smith Pottery and likely decorated by Henry Chichester. The second object is a remarkable rare multi-color slip-decorated dish attributed to Absalom Day (1770-1843) in Norwalk. Both of these objects were gifted to the museum in 1933 by Mrs. Robert W. de Forest.

I have also posted a slip-decorated plate owned by the Wilton Historical Society. This plate is also attributed to the Asa Smith Pottery, and may have been decorated by Chichester, as well.

Note: For more information about the red earthenware and stoneware produced in Norwalk, Connecticut, I suggest the book written by Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins, 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares,' as well as the book, 'Norwalk Potteries' written by Andrew and Kate Winton.

Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware from Norwalk, CT

19th Century Slip-Scrip Red Earthenware Dish Adorned with the Word "Lafayette"

Attributed to the A.S. and Son Pottery in Norwalk, CT

Likely Decorated by Henry Chichester

Circa 1825

Measures 13 1/4" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art 

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Dish

Attributed to Absalom Day in Norwalk, CT

Circa 1794-1800

Measures 16 1/2" Long

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art

19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Dish

Attributed to the A.S. and Son Pottery in Norwalk, CT

Possibly Decorated by Henry Chichester

Circa 1825

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Wilton, CT Historical Society

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