Red Earthenware Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Privy in Philadelphia

In the 1760s and 1770s, red earthenware potters in New York City and Providence, Rhode Island (and likely others) advertised their production in competition to what was manufactured in Philadelphia. These ads were placed by Jonathan Durell, a Philadelphia trained potter employed in Manhattan and Joseph Wilson, an Essex County, Massachusetts trained potter who relocated around the state before he settled in Providence sometime around 1767.

The public's attraction to Philadelphia-made pottery likely involved a number of factors, but the colors and slip-decoration applied on various objects probably contributed to the trends set by this industry. Philadelphia's production was apparently fashionable during this period, and this movement must have continued after the American Revolution.

All of the following red earthenware artifacts were recently recovered by Bruce Adwell from a circa 1790 to 1820 privy on Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia. They are all thought to have been locally made; whereas, these objects include two bowls, which are a personal favorite of mine.

I have been lucky to acquire two similar bowls in recent years from longtime private collections, and my appreciation for this type of bowl is a result of this type of production that I have seen from Philadelphia's archaeology. This is actually one of my favorite styles produced anywhere in America in the eighteenth or nineteenth centuries.

Interestingly, I also wrote about a similar style of bowl a few weeks ago that has been recovered from various contexts throughout Baltimore, which is a style that is also thought to have been produced in that city sometime around the late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth century. This is likely the result of the influence found with Philadelphia's production that perhaps reached as far north as New England and even some southern states.

Red Earthenware Bowls

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

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Privy on Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Bruce Adwell

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

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Privy on Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Bruce Adwell

Slip-Decorated Pots

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Pot
Possibly Made in Philadelphia, But Also Very-Likely from France

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Privy on Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Bruce Adwell

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Pot
Possibly Made in Philadelphia, But Also Very-Likely from France

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Privy on Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Bruce Adwell

Red Earthenware Teapots

18th/19th Century Red Earthenware Teapot Possibly Made in Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Privy on Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Bruce Adwell

18th/19th Century Red Earthenware Teapot Remains Possibly Made in Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Privy on Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Bruce Adwell

Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware

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

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Privy on Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Bruce Adwell

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

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Privy on Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Bruce Adwell

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

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Privy on Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Bruce Adwell

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

Recovered from a Circa 1790-1820 Privy on Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Bruce Adwell

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