The Iconic Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Pitcher Owned by the Wadsworth Antheneum in Hartford, Connecticut

This is arguable the most iconic example of Connecticut red earthenware in existence today; this large late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth century slip-decorated red earthenware pitcher from the Nathaniel Seymour Pottery in West Hartford, Connecticut is among the objects from the Albert Hastings Pitkin Collection on display at the Wadsworth Antheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, Connecticut. It was also illustrated on a full-page in figure 44 in Lura Woodside Watkins' book Early New England Potters and Their Wares. The pitcher stands well-over twelve inches tall.

I have always felt that the size of this pitcher, combined with the slip-decoration, placed this object as the very-best surviving piece of red earthenware known from the Seymour Pottery today. There are certainly some great examples in existence, but nothing that quite compares to this object. For instance, a small slip-decorated pitcher standing just under seven inches tall sold at Sotheby's in New York City in January 2014, but the rim had been ground likely to get rid of chipping or damage, and there is also a wonderful slip-decorated pitcher standing nine inches tall owned by the Connecticut Historical Society. Other objects include those pictured in a feature story published by the American Folk Art Museum in New York City in 2002, a great slip-decorated ring flask sold by Jeffrey S. Evans and Associates in Mount Crawford, Virginia in 2016, a slip-decorated bowl in the collection of the Little Compton Historical Society in Rhode Island, as well as many other objects that are privately owned today.

However, I was able to acquire a previously undocumented jar a few years ago from a good friend that I believe is the object that is closest related to the pitcher owned by the Wadsworth Antheneum. This jar stands well over eleven inches tall, and is adorned with a bright glaze and covered with slip decoration, all of which match the style of production found on the pitcher from the Pitkin Collection at the Wadsworth Antheneum.

Nathaniel Seymour Pottery Red Earthenware Jar, West Hartford, CT

Late-18th or Early-19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Pitcher

Attributed to the Nathaniel Seymour Pottery in West Hartford, CT

Circa 1800

Stands 12 1/2" Tall

Albert Hastings Pitkin Collection

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Photo Courtesy: Wadsworth Antheneum

View of the Handle

Albert Hastings Pitkin Collection

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Photo Courtesy: Wadsworth Antheneum

Another View of the Handle

Albert Hastings Pitkin Collection

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Photo Courtesy: Wadsworth Antheneum

Information on Display with the Pitcher

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Photo Courtesy: Wadsworth Antheneum

Nathaniel Seymour Pottery Red Earthenware Pitcher, West Hartford, CT

Late-18th or Early-19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Jar

Attributed to the Nathaniel Seymour Pottery in West Hartford, CT

Circa 1800

Stands 11 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Jar

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