The Red Earthenware Collection Owned by the Heritage Museums and Gardens on Cape Cod

A few years ago, I visited the Little Compton, Rhode Island Historical Society in order to study the museum's collection of red earthenware, much of which was locally made around the Taunton River in Southeastern Massachusetts. Some of these objects were then published in a feature story I wrote for the June 2018 issue of Maine Antique Digest, titled, The Pottery Industry in Southeastern Massachusetts.

In some ways, the Little Compton Historical Society's collection is similar to a smaller group of wares owned by the Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. This collection is not widely known today, but some of it was published in 1991 by the former art director of the Heritage Museums and Gardens, Brian Cullity's museum exhibit catalog, Slipped and Glazed: Regional American Redware. 

While the majority of this collection represents production from Southeastern Massachusetts, it also presents some of the type of pottery that was available on Cape Cod in the eighteenth and nineteenth century. These wares include production from Bristol County, Massachusetts, as well as a pottery operated by Noah Bradford (1761-1832) in West Barnstable, Massachusetts, circa 1819-1832.

Red Earthenware Displayed at the Heritage Museums and Gardens on Cape Cod

Late-18th and Early-19th Century Red Earthenware

Attributed to the Industry Surrounding the Taunton River in Southeastern Mass.

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Photo Courtesy: Charlotte Gagne

Southeastern Mass. Red Earthenware

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

Attributed to the Industry Surrounding the Taunton River in Southeastern Mass.

Circa 1780-1840

Stands 7 7/8" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Heritage Museums and Gardens

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

Attributed to the Industry Surrounding the Taunton River in Southeastern Mass.

Circa 1780-1840

Stands 7 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Heritage Museums and Gardens

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

Attributed to the Industry Surrounding the Taunton River in Southeastern Mass.

Circa 1780-1840

Stands 8" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Heritage Museums and Gardens

Late-18th or Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Jug

Attributed to the Industry Surrounding the Taunton River in Southeastern Mass.

Circa 1780-1840

Stands 5 1/4" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Heritage Museums and Gardens

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

Attributed to the Industry Surrounding the Taunton River in Southeastern Mass.

Circa 1780-1840

Stands 5 3/4" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Heritage Museums and Gardens

West Barnstable, Mass. Red Earthenware

Late-18th or Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Pan

Attributed to Noah Bradford in West Barnstable, Mass.

Circa 1819-1832

Measures 14 1/2" in Diameter

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Photo Courtesy: Heritage Museums and Gardens

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