The Deerfield Antiques Show at the Fairgrounds in Deerfield, New Hampshire

Yesterday, I traveled north for the Deerfield Antiques Show, hosted by Maine antiques dealers Josh and Rachel Gurley at the Fairgrounds in Deerfield, New Hampshire, as part of the annual Antiques Week in New Hampshire. Seventy-five dealers setup exhibiting a wonderful display of Americana, with buyers from all over the country, scouring the fairgrounds in search of treasures. I should also note that I saw some Canadian license plates in the parking lot, as well.

The show opened promptly at 10:00 am. I arrived just after 9:00 am, and saw a small crowd already gathered with some familiar faces sitting at the front of the line. But the crowd quickly grew as the opening of the show drew near. It seemed to be a very successful day for many people who were buying and selling.

The Deerfield, NH Antiques Show

 The Growing Line at the Deerfield, NH Fairgrounds Moments Before the Show Opened

Photo Courtesy: Gurley Antique Shows 

 The Line at the Deerfield, NH Fairgrounds About an Hour Before the Show Opened

Photo Courtesy: Gurley Antique Shows 

The Interior of One of the Deerfield Fairgrounds Buildings After the Show Opened

Photo Courtesy: Gurley Antique Shows 

I came home with two examples of red earthenware, both of which seem to have originated in the same area along Midcoast Maine in the 1800s. This first piece was an object of discussion for many; I couldn't figure out if this was an unexpected lid or if it served an actual utilitarian purpose. But after speaking with Josh Gurley, Butch Berdan and Roger Pheulpin, the consensus seemed to be this highly unusual form was a master salt, standing a little more than three inches tall.

On a few occasions, I have seen similar sized master salts from Pennsylvania, but I have never seen this form associated with the pottery industry in Maine. It's a fascinating piece. There are also similar forms known today in early American glass.

The characteristic that struck me most about this piece was the base, which appeared very similar to a number of Maine lids that I have seen. However, I asked South Portland, Maine antiques dealer, Robert French if it could take a better look at this object in the sunlight, and I quickly realized that the unusual glaze (and weight) on this piece matches a few objects in my collection from the Porter family pottery in Wiscasset, Maine, circa 1790-1886

Red Earthenware Master Salt

19th Century Red Earthenware Master Salt

Very Likely Made at the Porter Family Pottery in Wiscasset, ME
Circa 1790-1886

Stands 3 1/8" Tall

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Another View of the Master Salt

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Another View of the Master Salt

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View of the Interior

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I also purchased this nineteenth century red earthenware jug from North Monmouth, Maine antiques dealer, David McLean. This colorful jug was made at the John Corliss Pottery in Days Ferry, Woolwich, Maine, circa 1824-1896. This is a known form from the Corliss Pottery, but it exhibits somewhat of an unusual glaze for this business. 

Red Earthenware Jug

 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug
Attributed to the John Corliss Pottery in Days Ferry, Woolwich, ME
Circa 1824-1896
Stands 7 3/8" Tall
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 Another View of the Jug
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 Another View of the Jug
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View of the Handle

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