19th Century Red Earthenware Pot Found in Southern Maine

The circa 1791-1890 red earthenware industry in North Yarmouth (Yarmouth after 1849), Maine is an area of production that is not widely known today, despite a large amount of pottery having been produced in this town, especially in the 1800s. Information gathered by early-twentieth century collectors, as well as nineteenth century advertising indicates that the wares made at this industry were produced for local consumption, but they were also shipped all over coastal Maine by way of the Royal River, including Portland, Maine located about 14 miles to the south.

While recently going through some old pictures that I have saved on my iMac, I came across this handled pot that was found years ago in southern Maine by Maine antiques dealer, Nathaniel Segar. There is a very good chance that this pot was manufactured at one of the potteries in North Yarmouth in the nineteenth century.

This is a known style of jar without the handle that is thought to have been made in North Yarmouth; although, it is difficult to say which business is responsible, seeing that most of the potteries were located within a small area of the town, and there was also overlap among the potters.

The base has been inscribed with the number "23," which would have likely matched a lid incised with the same number. These numbers were often used to match the pot to the correct lid after the objects were fired in the kiln. But I suspect these numbers may have been used for other reasons, as well.

Red Earthenware Pot Found in Southern Maine

 19th Century Red Earthenware Pot Found in Southern Maine

Very Possibly Made at the Industry in North Yarmouth, ME

The Base Has Been Inscribed with the Number "23"

The Number Would Have Also Likely Matched an Incised Number Found on the Base of the Lid

Stands 7" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Nathaniel Segar

 View of the Rim

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Photo Courtesy: Nathaniel Segar

View of the Glaze

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Photo Courtesy: Nathaniel Segar

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