19th Century Painted Stoneware Urn Found this Past Summer in a Cellar in Woolwich, Maine

While exploring the Mid-Coast of Maine this past July, I found this late-nineteenth century painted stoneware urn with an Albany glazed interior with my niece Alexis on the bottom floor of a shop, which was said to have recently been found in a basement of a house in Woolwich, Maine. I believe this is probably a product of the Portland Stoneware Company, although the paint is likely not original and instead created by an early owner. But the paint is also really well executed and adds an incredible feature to this already accomplished product. The company advertised these type of wares as "undecorated" in the 1880s, meaning it was meant to be painted or decorated by its owner.

The overall form resembles many of the nineteenth century sewer tile urns manufactured at the Portland Stoneware Company in the late 1800s, intended for outdoor use. A number of these sewer tile urns were used in formal gardens during this period, but I also know about a group of urns that were used in cemeteries in Portland.

Nevertheless, this stoneware urn is likely the opposite of the sewer tile products, and rather was intended for indoor use during the Victorian Era. This was also an era known for its Grecian Revival Movement that some potters embraced throughout New England. I believe this is an example of that production, which the Portland Stoneware Company is known to have advertised in the 1880s and 1890s.

I would also like to add that the Portland Stoneware Company produced both stoneware and sewer tile products, whereas the sewer tile is thought to have been created from local clays, while the stoneware was imported from New York and New Jersey. Production also included umbrella stands from both mediums, some of which are adorned with applied ancient figures.

According to the book, Portland Past and Present published in 1899 and written by Charles Bancroft Gillespie, "The Portland Stoneware Company has developed into one of the largest of its kind in the United States. The goods manufactured, comprise all kinds of drain pipe, vitrified brick, locomotive brick and garden urns, the latter in endless variety. 

To the large plant, important additions have been made every year, and 40,000 tons of clay are annually used, and 200 hands are given employment. About ten acres of ground space are occupied.

Spur tracks from the Portland and Rochester R.R. extend through the plant, and an average of six car-loads is the daily shipment of the company to all parts of the United States. 

It is estimated that over 100 miles of drain-pipe are kept in stock, comprising all the different sizes, from a small two-inch pipe, to two and one-half feet long, weighing ten pounds, to the thirty-inch pipe, weighing 660 pounds.

The clay comes direct from New York and New Jersey, and a large amount of native blue clay is used.

The works are admirably fitted for turning out the largest orders, and the reputation of the concern has placed the company well in the front ranks in its line in the country. 

In additional to large, new brick buildings, the plant possess twenty-four kilns, which are located outside the main shops. Every kiln has a capacity for holding six car-loads of pipe, and in these mammoth ovens the clay is burned into the finished product. 

The company is fully equipped for supplying the largest contracts, and many orders as large as 200,000 feet have been filled and shipped to New England points. 

Besides manufacturing brick for every conceivable kind of fire-box, from the linings of small cook stoves to the largest fire-boxes of modern locomotives, the concern in recent years has turned out in large quantities the new vitrified brick for paving, which has an advantage over granite blocks being smoother and easier to ride over; this new brick is now being extensively used and turned out. These bricks are made from a special prepared clay, and 54 bricks a minute are pressed in large machines. 

In the manufacture of garden urns, made in artistic and varied patterns, for both public and private grounds, the company has a large output. This important industry adds much to the reputation of Portland as a manufacturing center. 

The proprietors of the company are Winslow and Co., of which E.B. Winslow, of Portland is the head, and to whose executive ability the marked growth of the business, and the diversity of its products as now yielded, are due."

Painted Stoneware Urn Reportedly Found in a Basement in Woolwich, ME

Late-19th Century Painted Stoneware Urn

Reportedly Recently Found in a Basement in Woolwich, ME

Likely Made in Portland, ME

Photo Taken Next to a River Near Woolwich, ME

See Article for More Information

Portland Stoneware Company

Portland Stoneware Company - Portland, ME

Circa 1880

Notice All the Kilns that Surround Both Sides of the Company

Also Notice the Railroad and the Stacks of Wood

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Portland Past and Present

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