EarlyAmericanCeramics.com: The Workshop of Jeff Ingram, Also Known as Thomas Restorations, Inc. in Laurel, Maryland

Thursday, July 19, 2018

The Workshop of Jeff Ingram, Also Known as Thomas Restorations, Inc. in Laurel, Maryland

While on vacation a few weeks ago with my nephew Jason, we visited the workshop of Jeff Ingram, also known as Thomas Restorations, Inc. in Laurel, Maryland. Jeff uses a centuries old technique in all of his mending and restoration processes, which he learned sometime ago, as part of a boot camp style week-long college class from a master mender.

I wasn't sure what to expect as I thought about our arrival - Laurel was about a 20 mile ride southwest from our hotel room on the waterfront at Fells Point in Baltimore, Maryland. But as soon as I walked into the workshop, I knew this was a story that I wanted to share both in text and visually.

There have been some incredible ceramics, red earthenware and stoneware restored in this space over the years, such as private requests from clients and personal projects; although, a number of artifacts have also been brought back-to-life that were intentionally discarded centuries ago in Baltimore, Philadelphia and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. These artifacts were not from archaeology sites, but rather sherds recovered from eighteenth and nineteenth century privies, which would have been lost forever, as a result of construction and urban renewal.

Jeff described his workshop as his own personal paradise; he said it was tough to call this work when he absolutely loves what he does. I couldn't have agreed with him more. He also told me that he built the building that houses his workshop years ago, with the intent it would be used for his restoration and preservation business.

As I walked around the shop, I began to admire his effort in preserving history. He clearly finds as much enjoyment in a single slip-decorated sherd as others do in finding the same in an intact slip-decorated dish. I saw examples of sgraffito, black-glazed teapots, Philadelpia slipware and a variety of stoneware.

But the objects that I probably marveled at most were from Jeff's personal collection; it was an awesome sight when I swung open two cabinet doors, and found it filled with eighteenth and nineteenth century red earthenware from Baltimore, some of which was slip-decorated in a pattern that appears like a swan. I had not previously held a piece of Baltimore red earthenware in hand, and here sat an entire cabinet filled with dozens of pieces; there were pitchers, chamber pots, bowls, plates, an inkwell, jugs and mugs.

There was even a green slip-decorated plate adorned with six swans, which as far as I'm concerned may be my all-time favorite example of Baltimore red earthenware. I was also told that it could be the only example of a Baltimore plate known today to exhibit such a brilliant decoration, which perfectly covered the entire dish - five swans had been expertly arranged around the edge and another carefully located in the center.

To my knowledge, there is no Baltimore red earthenware known to survive today above ground. It only really survives by what has been recovered throughout the city. This is also the only way to learn about the wares made in Baltimore.

Naturally, I was in awe of the cabinet that stood directly in front of my eyes, filled with red earthenware recovered in Baltimore, some with very-little restoration and others with more. But it was just so impressive to see this collection, especially since this type of material doesn't really exist today.

However, you may have also guessed by now that we didn't leave empty handed, either. We were lucky - Jeff was willing to pass along one of his "swan" slip-decorated objects, which I will post on this website tomorrow. Nonetheless, this was a wonderful experience.

Thomas Restorations, Inc., Laurel, MD