A Painted 19th Century Box from North Yarmouth, Maine and How it Relates to the Local Red Earthenware Industry

I happen to have visited the Yarmouth, Maine Historical Society last weekend since I was already in the area attending an onsite auction in North Yarmouth, Maine. Interestingly, the Yarmouth Historical Society is located a very short distance from a number of red earthenware potteries that operated during the circa 1790-1890 period. Fortunately, a former resident of Yarmouth, Chris Havey salvaged a huge collection sherds from this industry in the 1990s that once covered the ground near a river and park that surround the historical society today. These sherds are now owned by the historical society, as well as the Maine State Museum in Augusta, Maine.

By chance, Chris showed me the location last weekend where he found many of the sherds, but only a few artifacts were spotted on the surface level. Although, we did find a piece of kiln furniture - and we also suspect the river bed is filled with sherds and large amounts may also be buried in the ground.

Nevertheless, I photographed this nineteenth century painted box in the collection of the historical society, which was manufactured and decorated about 1832 by Thomas Green Corliss in North Yarmouth, a local shoemaker and postmaster. The decoration was a popular style found with painted furniture from Maine during the circa 1815-1835 period.

However, Thomas Green Corliss was the son of Ebenezer Corliss, who operated the Corliss Pottery for decades in North Yarmouth - and famed potter, John Corliss also worked at this pottery before he migrated north in order to established the pottery he is known for today in Days Ferry/Woolwich, Maine.

I have always had an interest in learning how potters may have expanded their creative ability outside of the potter's industry; for example, I learned a few years ago, after I had written a feature story for the New England Antiques Journal about Peter Clark's production in Braintree, Massachusetts and Lyndeborough, New Hampshire, that he also produced some Queen Ann style furniture owned by the Bennington, Museum in Bennington, Vermont.

In this case, Thomas Green Corliss was not necessarily a career potter, although, he was certainly a witness to what I describe as Maine's largest red earthenware industry. But he was also the son of Ebenezer Corliss, who operated a very successful business; whereas, I suspect Thomas may have had some involvement at one point in his life.

Note: I have written a feature story about the red earthenware industry in North Yarmouth, Maine, which will include the sherds I just mentioned, as well as objects owned by the Yarmouth Historical Society and privately that should be published sometime later this year in the New England Antiques Journal.

Painted Box Made by Thomas Green Corliss, North Yarmouth, ME

19th Century Painted Box Made by Thomas Green Corliss in North Yarmouth, ME

This Type of Decoration was Common on Painted Furniture in Maine Circa 1815-1835

Circa 1832

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Photo Courtesy: Yarmouth, ME Historical Society

Museum Description of the Box

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Photo Courtesy: Yarmouth, ME Historical Society

The North Yarmouth, ME Red Earthenware Industry

This River Surrounds the Yarmouth, ME Historical Society

A Large Potter's Industry also Operated Around this River During the Circa 1790-1890 Period

A Huge Collection of Sherds were Recovered from this Area in the 1990s by Chris Havey

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(Top Right) 18th/19th Century Red Earthenware Kiln Furniture from North Yarmouth, ME

Remaining Sherds all Manufactured at the Industry in North Yarmouth, ME

These Artifacts were Recovered Next to the River Shown Above

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