19th Century Red Earthenware Inkwell that Sold Yesterday in Woodsville, New Hampshire

It was about two weeks ago that Steenburgh Auctions sold some red earthenware owned by New Hampshire collector Michael George, as part of a sale in Woodsville, New Hampshire. The highlight of the collection was absolutely a wonderful nineteenth century southern Maine red earthenware handled pot, decorated with a glaze that was almost like the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth century marbled glazes, from domestic and foreign manufacturers that are so desired today. In fact, I wrote about two late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth century American examples a few months ago, which are currently on display in the Art of the Americas Wing at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Each example was gifted to the museum in 1987 by Massachusetts author Lura Woodside Watkins (Early New England Potter and Their Wares).

However, that was not the end of the utilitarian pottery - Steenburgh Auctions held another sale yesterday, also in Woodsville, which included another nice example of red earthenware. This inkwell was likely manufactured somewhere in northern New England in the 1800s, although I cannot say with complete certainty whether it was made in Maine, New Hampshire or Vermont.

Nevertheless, I have studied a variety of inkwells owned by museums and private collectors that are attributed to various nineteenth century potteries in northern New England.  One example that I have always admired is owned by the Bennington Museum in Bennington, Vermont, which is attributed to the Farrar family in Middlebury, Vermont. But I have also handled other inkwells from other potteries, including the waster that I have posted below.

This black glazed inkwell waster was recovered about five years ago by Rick Poore from the site of the Bickford family pottery dump in Buxton, Maine, circa 1825-1880. While the form is not an exact match, there are certainly some obvious similarities to the example that just sold at Steenburgh Auctions.

Northern New England Red Earthenware Inkwell

(Right) 19th Century Red Earthenware Inkwell Likely Made in Northern New England

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Photo Courtesy: Steenburgh Auctions

Red Earthenware Inkwell Waster Recovered in Buxton, ME

19th Century Red Earthenware Inkwell Waster

Recovered from the Site of the Bickford Pottery in Buxton, ME

Circa 1825-1880

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Photo Courtesy: Rick Poore 

 Another View of the Inkwell Waster

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Photo Courtesy: Rick Poore 

  Another View of the Inkwell Waster

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Photo Courtesy: Rick Poore 

 Another View of the Inkwell Waster

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Photo Courtesy: Rick Poore 

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