A Pair of 19th Century Red Earthenware Oil Lamps Possibly from Southeastern Massachusetts

While on vacation last month with my nephew Jason, we visited Ivy Hall Antiques in Abbottstown, Pennsylvania. I have heard great comments about this group shop, but I have never taken the time to visit. But we decided to stop at the shop since we had some extra time after visiting the pottery exhibit at the Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Inside the store, we found an extremely rare nineteenth century red earthenware oil lamp that had just sold at Crocker Farm's March 2019 sale in Sparks, Maryland. It was found in the booth of Virginia antiques dealers, Chris and Bernadette Evans.

I suspect the lamp was made in Southeastern Massachusetts, possibly in Bristol County, based on the form, which certainly resembles the form of a very rare red earthenware jar made in Bristol County in the early-nineteenth century. There are only a small group of these jars with indented sides known today - one being owned by Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts and the others privately owned. This is a form that I consider to be unique to Bristol County, and thus why I suggest this is where the oil lamp may have been manufactured. Falmouth, Massachusetts antiques dealer, Hilary Nolan has told me that this form of jar may have made it easier to pour the contents.

It is really remarkable to hold this object, seeing how rare this form is to find from any American red earthenware potter today. And the only feature about it that is missing is the burner insert, which would have been made out of another material. Interestingly, the industry in Bristol County was located a short distance from New Bedford, Massachusetts, where there was a huge whaling industry that was considered to be the greatest whaling port in the world in the 1800s.

When Crocker Farm sold this lamp about four months ago, another oil lamp was included in the lot that I believe is from the same manufacturer. Although, the form of the second lamp is a little different, but somewhat resembles some of the clear glass oil lamps made in Sandwich, Massachusetts in the nineteenth century.

Both of these lamps were reportedly recently found in a house near Days Ferry, Woolwich, Maine, and the second lamp will be available next month in the booth of Chris and Bernadette Evans at the 62nd Annual New Hampshire Antiques Show at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Red Earthenware Whale Oil Lamps

My Nephew Jason Holding the Oil Lamp Outside Ivy Hall Antiques in Pennsylvania

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Early 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar with Indented Sides

Attributed to the Industry in Bristol County, Mass.

Stands About 9" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village

Early 19th Century Red Earthenware Oil Lamp with Indented Sides

Possibly Made in SE Massachusetts, Possibly Bristol County, Mass.

Purchased Last Month at Ivy Hall Antiques in Abbottstown, PA

Stands 4 1/8" Tall

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Another View of the Lamp

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View of the Base

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 Early 19th Century Red Earthenware Oil Lamp with Indented Sides

Possibly Made in SE Massachusetts, Possibly Bristol County, Mass.

Stands About 4 1/2" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Chris & Bernadette Evans

 Another View of the Lamp

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Photo Courtesy: Chris & Bernadette Evans

 View of the Top of the Lamp

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Photo Courtesy: Chris & Bernadette Evans

View of the Base

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Photo Courtesy: Chris & Bernadette Evans

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