Colonial Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Sherds Recovered in Nova Scotia

Four or five years ago, I was able to identify a slip-decorated red earthenware chamber pot recovered in the 1970s at the site of the Fortress of Louisbourg in Nova Scotia. The pot was previously published and attributed to French production, but I recognized it as an object that was actually made at the Colonial industry in Charlestown, Massachusetts. That information was based on the extensive amount of artifacts that I have handled from this industry recovered by archaeologists in the 1980s, and now kept at the City of Boston Archaeology Program in West Roxbury, Massachusetts.

Upon learning about this object, I contacted Parks Canada, where I was told the chamber pot was recovered within a circa 1755-60 archaeological context; although, this information was also later published in a feature story I wrote for the April 2017 issue of the New England Antiques Journal, titled A Pioneering Potter: Samuel Marshall of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Chamber Pot Recovered at the Fortress of Louisbourg in Nova Scotia

Colonial 18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Chamber Pot Recovered in Nova Scotia

Attributed to the Industry in Charlestown, Mass.

Probably Made at the Parker Family Pottery

Found Within a Circa 1755-60 Archaeological Context at the Fortress of Louisbourg

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Fortress of Louisbourg, Parks Canada

(Left) Slip-Decorated Sherd Recovered at the Site of the Parker Pottery in Charlestown, Mass.

(Right) Slip-Decorated Chamber Recovered in Charlestown, Mass.

Found in a Privy at the Site of the Three Cranes Tavern

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: City of Boston Archaeology Program

However, while recently reviewing some images of pottery found in various archaeological contexts throughout Nova Scotia, I came across these two slip-decorated red earthenware sherds recovered from a similar mid-eighteenth century context. These artifacts may very well be from Charlestown, as well; they certainly have a Charlestown look to them.

The fact that these type of eighteenth century wares are found hundreds of miles from where they were produced is not an anomaly either. Colonial Charlestown slipware has been recovered as far south as North Carolina, as well as Long Island and all throughout coastal New England.

Slip-Decorated Sherds Recovered in Nova Scotia

Colonial Slip-Decorated Sherds Recovered in Nova Scotia Likely from a Pan

They Very Much Appear Like Production from Charlestown, Mass.

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Natalie Jess-Fiene & Nova Scotia Archaeology Society

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