Examples of West Hartford, Connecticut Red Earthenware Owned by the Wadsworth Antheneum Museum of Art

I wrote in an article that was posted last month, "Since I have written about red earthenware manufactured in New York for the better part of this month, I thought today I would post this great nineteenth century slip-decorated red earthenware jar, which sold last summer at Pook & Pook in Downington, Pennsylvania. I have been stumped by this object ever since I first saw it. In fact, the form is somewhat similar to some jars manufactured in Vermont, while the handles are reminiscent to those produced at David Mandeville's circa 1810-1840 pottery in Circleville, New York, and the combination of the slip and glaze remind me of production in West Hartford, Connecticut in the late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth century."

The response from that article was that this jar was likely manufactured at the Thomas Seymour (1763-1849) Pottery in West Hartford in the early-nineteenth century; although, until recently, I had never previously seen twisted or braided handles from this industry. But I just learned about a bowl last week in the Albert Hastings Pitkin Collection at the Wadsworth Antheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, Connecticut, which was reportedly made by Seth Goodwin (1772-1828) in West Hartford. This bowl was manufactured with very similar twisted handles, apparently proving that this type of handle was indeed manufactured in West Hartford.

According to the West Hartford Historical Society, "Early on, grist saw, and carding mills along with blacksmith shops, tanneries and general stores emerged around the (West Hartford) community to support and help drive agriculture. One of the first major industries to arise centered on the pottery and brick works. Extending from Hartford to Berlin is a sizable deposit of fine clay. 

In 1770, Ebenezer Faxon came from Massachusetts and settled in what would become the Elmwood section of West Hartford. There he established a pottery on South Road (what is today New Britain Avenue) which took advantage of the local geographical landscape. Nathaniel Seymour later followed, but it was Seth Goodwin, however, who helped to establish a pottery dynasty. Goodwin started his pottery works around 1798. For over a hundred years, the Goodwin name would be associated with West Hartford Pottery - producing utilitarian items such as jugs for the gin manufactured in local distilleries, to terra cotta designs and fine china. The Goodwin Company employed up to 75 people in its heyday in the mid-to-late nineteenth century. The Goodwin Brothers Pottery Company (as it came to be known) burned for the third time in 1908 and never recovered."

I have also posted a slip-decorated red earthenware mug from the Pitkin Collection that is also attributed to West Hartford. But I cannot recall having seen another slip-decorated mug from this industry before, suggesting that this is a rare form to find today.

West Hartford, Connecticut Red Earthenware

19th Century Red Earthenware Bowl with Twisted Handles

Reportedly Made by Seth Goodwin in West Hartford, CT

Circa 1820

Stands 5 3/4" Tall and Measures 9 7/8" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Wadsworth Anthendeum Museum of Art

19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Jar with Twisted Handles

Likely Made in West Hartford, CT

Stands 10" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Pook & Pook

19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Mug

Attributed to West Hartford, CT

Circa 1805-1830

Stands 4 1/2" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Wadsworth Anthendeum Museum of Art

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