Philadelphia is certainly known for its red earthenware teapot production today; although, this teapot does not appear to be from a local manufacturer. Instead, it may have originated at the Thomas Crafts Pottery in Whately, Massachusetts during the circa 1821-1833 period. The overall body form, handle, base, spout and seven punched holes for where the spout was attached to the body is similar to wares manufactured in Whately, but another potter or location should not be ruled out, either.
According to Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins (Early New England Potters and Their Wares), "It is interesting to note Crafts' teapots were marketed in New York and Philadelphia; they were not sold locally to any extent. In 1832, Crafts reported that he was making 2,080 dozen yearly, selling them at wholesale at one dollar a dozen. At the time he was only hiring one man and two boys."
It has been a little more than one month now since I posted an article about what seemed to be the remains of a Whately teapot recovered by archaeologists in 1979-80 within a nineteenth century context at Stadt Huys Block in Manhattan in New York City. Whereas, that teapot and the example that sits in Jeff Ingram's workshop in theory may represent the export business Watkins cites to New York and Philadelphia in Early New England Potters and Their Wares.
Black-Glazed Teapot Recovered in Philadelphia
19th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Teapot
Possibly Made at the Thomas Crafts Pottery in Whately, Mass.
Possibly Circa 1821-1833
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Jeff Ingram
View of the Handle
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Photo Courtesy: Jeff Ingram
Seven Holes Punched Where the Spout is Attached to the Body
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Photo Courtesy: Jeff Ingram
View of the Base
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Jeff Ingram
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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