The Use of Slip-Decoration at the Industry in North Yarmouth, Maine

The remains of this nineteenth century lead glazed red earthenware jug and bowl were both recovered years ago from separate archaeological contexts in the North Yarmouth (known as Yarmouth after 1849), Maine area by Maine antiques picker and collector Chris Havey. Both of these objects will eventually be published, and are thought to have been produced at one of the potteries located at Yarmouth Corner near the Royal River at the industry in North Yarmouth.

Interestingly, the shape of the jug, exterior glaze pattern and the lack of a footed base translates to a number of known jars, jugs, and vases that are attributed to Maine today. But these artifacts also prove the use of slip-decoration at the industry in North Yarmouth; the bowl having a slip-decorated interior and the jug showing traces of slip that was accidentally dripped onto it. The color of the brown glaze is also an exact match on both objects.

The bowl itself is an interesting study piece, since it does resemble some bowls made in southeastern Pennsylvania and Alexandria, Virginia in the eighteenth and early-nineteenth centuries; however this bowl is unrelated. I actually know of an intact example that matches these sherds, which is privately owned in central Maine today. That bowl was reportedly found locally years ago in a thrift store, probably having been donated from a nearby home.

It should also be noted that the Dodge family pottery in Portland, Maine also apparently applied some slip-decoration in the nineteenth century, and seeing that Yarmouth is located only about 11 miles north of Portland, these businesses may have used the same source of kaolin for the slip. The source may have been something they discovered locally, but it may have been imported into this area of coastal Maine, as well. I have not found any other archaeological evidence to suggest any kind of slip-decorated wares were produced elsewhere in Maine in the 1800s.

The use of slip in North Yarmouth and Portland was limited by what is known today, suggesting that it was used sparingly, and there may not have been a lot of kaolin available - thus why I suggest that it could have been an element that was imported rather than a substance that these potters harvested from a local source.

To my knowledge, there are a few slip-decorated objects in private and museum collections today that are thought to have been manufactured in this area. But there is not a lot of evidence to say slip was widely used in production, such as it was in places like Norwalk, Connecticut, Long Island and Pennsylvania during the same period.

Slip-Decorated Wares Recovered in the Yarmouth, ME Area

(Top) 19th Century Lead Glazed Red Earthenware Jug Recovered Near North Yarmouth, ME

Both Sides of the Jug Reveal Drips of Slip-Decoration

Thought to Have Been Produced in North Yarmouth, ME

(Bottom) 19th Century Lead Glazed Red Earthenware Bowl Sherds with Slip-Decorated Interior

Recovered Near Yarmouth Corner in North Yarmouth, ME

Thought to Have Been Made in North Yarmouth, ME

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Havey

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