EarlyAmericanCeramics.com: The Unknown Origin of a Colorfully Glazed 19th or 20th Century Red Earthenware Jar

Thursday, October 3, 2019

The Unknown Origin of a Colorfully Glazed 19th or 20th Century Red Earthenware Jar

A few years ago, this nineteenth century red earthenware jar decorated with a colorful glaze showed up in a Midwestern dealer's booth at Antiques in Manchester The Collector's Fair in Manchester, New Hampshire. At the time, a friend asked me what I thought about it, and I remember saying that I had never seen anything like it before. It was reportedly previously found in an estate in central Ohio.

Evidently, though I have not forgotten about this piece, but I have been unable to determine where it was manufactured. It was suggested that it may have been from North Carolina, the Shenandoah Valley or New England, but I am not sure of any of those attributions, and very doubtful that it was made in New England. The form appears early-to-mid-nineteenth century; however, the glaze presents more of a late-nineteenth or early-twentieth century art pottery appearance, which is confusing.

Apparently, the jar was purchased in Manchester by an antiques dealer or interior designer from Aspen, Colorado, where it was then eventually sold to a private collector. Nevertheless, the jar is large standing almost thirteen-inches tall, and heavy even for its size. If at all possible, it would be great to learn if anyone reading this post knows anything about this object's origin. It would be great to determine if this represents the production of an American or even a Canadian manufacturer. But thus far, I have been unable to find any evidence to suggest where it was made with a comparable form and glaze. What are your thoughts? American? Canadian? European? Even Asian?

19th or 20th Century Colorfully Glazed Red Earthenware Jar