We have been given permission by the property owners to salvage as many artifacts as possible related to Chase's production, who's business is an extension of the earlier William Pecker and James Chase potteries. There is some construction planned for the property next year, and we are trying to save as much material as possible before that happens. As I have already written, this will be an ongoing project this summer and fall.
Interestingly, Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins mentioned Phineas' business in 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares,' but the evidence that we have seen thus far certainly suggests that this was a much larger operation than previously noted.
Phineas built the house that stands on this property in 1851 and also moved the pottery business from another location in Merrimacport to this site about that time, as well. Therefore, this pottery operated circa 1851ish until at least the 1880s, producing all the expected utilitarian forms, with a larger emphasis in the later years devoted to the manufacture of glazed and unglazed flowerpots.
Nevertheless, yesterday we found hundreds of sherds, most of which do not appear to be from flowerpots. But we also found at least three different forms of kiln furniture, and possibly a few kiln bricks. The reason we believe these bricks may have belonged to the kiln is a result of unintentional glazes that cover part of each brick.
Phineas Chase's Pottery, Merrimacport, Mass.
(Left) My Nephew Jason Holds What May Appears to be Two Kiln Bricks
Each Brick is Partially Decorated with an Unintentional Glaze
(Right) My Niece Alexis Holds Some of the Kiln Furniture We Discovered
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One of Three Pads We Found Yesterday
This Kiln Furniture was Used in Groups to Separate Pots Inside of the Kiln
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One of Three Pads We Found Yesterday
This Kiln Furniture was Used in Groups to Separate Pots Inside of the Kiln
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Collection of Artifacts that We Collected Yesterday
We Found this Material at the Site of Phineas Chase's Pottery in Merrimacport, Mass.
The Pottery Operated at this Location Circa 1851ish Until at Least the 1880s
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Kiln Furniture that We Found Yesterday
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Some of the Red Earthenware Sherds that We Collected Yesterday
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Some of the Red Earthenware Sherds that We Collected Yesterday
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Some of the Red Earthenware Sherds that We Collected Yesterday
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Some of the Red Earthenware Sherds that We Collected Yesterday
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Some of the Red Earthenware Sherds that We Collected Yesterday
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Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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