EarlyAmericanCeramics.com: 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug with a History of Family Ownership in North Yarmouth, Maine

Friday, August 3, 2018

19th Century Red Earthenware Jug with a History of Family Ownership in North Yarmouth, Maine

This is a beautifully glazed nineteenth century red earthenware jug that I just acquired last weekend from Ross Levett, a longtime antiques dealer in Rockland, Maine. Ross has handled a lot of great pottery throughout his career, not only limited to red earthenware, either. But he also purchased much of the red earthenware that sold in the landmark Christopher Huntington Sale in Maine in 1974, which included remarkable examples of production from all over New England, many of those objects originating in Massachusetts and Maine.

This particular jug retains a history of family ownership in North Yarmouth, Maine, and it was just purchased by Ross from the latest family members. Interestingly, Ross also happens to be among the small group of people who I previously heard reference the North Yarmouth pottery industry before I began researching the subject. Nevertheless, my next feature story in the New England Antiques Journal will cover this industry, which I hope will be published sometime later this year.

It's not exact, but this jug is very-similar in form to a red earthenware jug produced with some distinct characteristic that is currently on display at the Yarmouth Historical Society in Maine. The museum's jug is attributed to a pottery established by Nathaniel Foster about 1840 in North Yarmouth, and later operated by his sons, Benjamin and William Henry until about 1878.

Red Earthenware Jug with History of Ownership in North Yarmouth, ME