How to Order My New Book: The Beverly Pottery The Wares of Charles A. Lawrence

My new book, The Beverly Pottery: The Wares of Charles A. Lawrence is now available for purchase on Historic Beverly's website, and it will also be posted on Amazon soon. Here is the link to purchase the book directly through Historic Beverly.

I have also attached a screen capture of my book featured in the December 6, 2019 issue of Antiques & the Arts Weekly's Holiday Book Roundup insert. It received a very nice review from Anne Kugielsky. See their website for the December 6 issue, and the full holiday book insert.

How to Order My New Book: The Beverly Pottery The Wares of Charles A. Lawrence

My New Book Now Available to Purchase Through Historic Beverly's Website

See Article for More Information

 Review of My Book in the December 6, 2019 Issue of Antiques & the Arts Weekly

December 6, 2019 issue of Antiques & the Arts Weekly's Holiday Book Roundup Issue

See Article for More Information

See Antiques & the Arts Weekly's Website for the Full Review

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

A Great New England Pitcher that Sold Last Month at Crocker Farm in Maryland and Its Possible Origin

A few years ago, while researching the archaeology from the Bradford family pottery in Kingston, Massachusetts at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., I came across a group of sherds that looked very familiar (Lura Woodside Watkins Collection). The three-color glazed sherds very much resembled a small group of jars known to exist today, commonly attributed to Maine, without any further explanation. The attribution is likely a result of the glaze, but I have not viewed any archaeological evidence, or published or museum information to support it.

I was stunned to see these artifacts that Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins (1897-1982) collected at the site of the Bradford Pottery before 1950 because I thought these type of jars were made in Maine, as well (or Vermont). The attribution seemed like a possible scenario. But as my studies progressed, I was equally as surprised to learn that the Bradford Pottery in Kingston is not common knowledge today. This was a multi-generational family company that existed for well-over 100 years, beginning before the American Revolution. I compare the family business and its output to what was made in Merrimacport, Massachusetts, circa 1784-1890. And there was a lot of skillfully made pottery produced in Merrimacport during this period, just like there was with the Bradfords in Kingston.

New England Red Earthenware Jar

Early-19th Century New England Red Earthenware Jar

Typically Attributed to Maine, But May Have Been Made in Kingston, Mass.

See Article for More Information

Stands 8" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Skinner

However, I was also surprised while speaking with Luke and Mark Zipp from Crocker Farm this past summer in Manchester, New Hampshire, when they pulled me aside to show me a great pitcher. The pitcher was undoubtedly from the same potter as was the jars that I just referenced, selling at Crocker Farm's most recent sale in Sparks, Maryland on October 26, 2019. It  had been consigned from a longtime New England collection.

Although, I cannot 100 percent guarantee that these objects were made by the Bradfords in Kingston, I can provide strong archaeological evidence that supports my idea. The only evidence that I know about that suggests these wares were made in northern New England is a result of the colorful glaze; nevertheless, I can easily prove that this identical glaze style was also produced by the Bradfords, a family business that I firmly believe should be much better known today.

For a full history about the Bradford family pottery in Kingston, as well as another family business on Cape Cod, and current academic research, along with archaeology from the Smithsonian and Plimouth Plantation - I highly recommend a lengthy feature story I wrote for the May 2019 issue of Maine Antique Digest, titled, "The Bradford Family Potteries in Massachusetts."

New England Red Earthenware Pitcher

Early-19th Century New England Red Earthenware Pitcher

Typically Attributed to Maine, But May Have Been Made in Kingston, Mass.

See Article for More Information

Stands 7 7/8" Tall

 Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm Auctions of American Redware and Stoneware

Another View of the Pitcher

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm Auctions of American Redware and Stoneware

 Another View of the Pitcher

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm Auctions of American Redware and Stoneware

View of the Handle

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm Auctions of American Redware and Stoneware

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

My New Book: The Beverly Pottery: The Wares of Charles A. Lawrence

Born in Danvers, Massachusetts in 1829, Charles Albert (Solares) Lawrence (1829-1904) learned about household red earthenware production as an apprentice at Joseph Reed’s (1809-84) pottery in Peabody, Massachusetts in the 1850s and early-1860s. He later established his own pottery in Beverly, Massachusetts, around the end of the Civil War. This aspect of Lawrence’s career has been well documented, although it only represents a small percentage of his output as a career potter. 

For the last decade, I have been researching the history of the C.A. Lawrence Pottery, wanting to know all of the facts about this business. From the start, I knew this was a significant company based on some of the known early production, but there was very little documented information.

I began my search by speaking to some local longtime collectors and historians, such as Roger Pheulpin from Gloucester, Massachusetts.  And from there, I began to visit other private collections and museums all over the country. I learned about a hand-painted ancient formed jug owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, made in Beverly in the 1870s. This was the only documented object in this style, which was a major area of production, beginning in 1872. I also walked the shoreline of the Bass River in Beverly, next to where the pottery operated, trying to find hidden clues about the business. I read a countless number of nineteenth century local publications and newspapers from the Beverly and Salem, Massachusetts area, hoping to find any records of this business; any type of advertising was helpful, and especially any text that accompanied it. 

As the pieces of the puzzle began to unfold, I learned that Lawrence produced traditional household pottery in the early years, often decorated with multiple colors of slip, a style of decoration rarely found in Massachusetts in the 1800s. In fact, it was rarely produced in New England, and in some ways, resembles some slipware manufactured in Philadelphia in the eighteenth and early-nineteenth century. This style of slip is found on a variety of rare Beverly forms today, and while some forms were expected, others were surprising to see.

However, I had to learn more about the ancient production - I aggressively pursued this research, and it took years to really understand what was actually happening with these wares. Outside of the collections of Jim Kaufman in Dedham, Massachusetts, who specializes in pottery made at the Chelsea Keramic Arts Works and the Dedham Pottery, as well Historic Beverly and the MET, it is a subject that has been largely forgotten since the company ceased production around 1906. 

It was in the early-1870s, when Lawrence introduced a new line of artware to the Beverly and Boston marketplace, which at the time was unique for American production. A few years later, American consumers and design enthusiasts found themselves infatuated with the decorative wares made by some of the best manufacturers in Europe and China at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition which triggered the American art pottery movement, a change that Lawrence had already foreseen in the industry. 

For about forty years, the wares made at the C.A. Lawrence Pottery in Beverly were among the most innovative products made anywhere in America, bringing together household pottery, artware and commemorative objects. As a collective group, this was really unlike anything else in New England.

I am thrilled to announce that my newly published book, The Beverly Pottery: The Wares of Charles A. Lawrence is the first of its kind and the culmination of ten years’ worth of research, exploring the life of Charles A. Lawrence, the history of the Beverly Pottery, and the totality of the company’s production.  The 108 page book includes well over 100 illustrations, advertising, business cards, exports, paperwork, and most of the major pieces of documented Beverly pottery known to exist today.

For more information about the book - it will be included in Antiques & the Arts Weekly's forthcoming Holiday Book Roundup issue, which prints on Tuesday November 26, 2019, as well as an upcoming issue of Maine Antique Digest.


Where to Buy: The Beverly Pottery: The Wares of Charles A. Lawrence is available to purchase for $12 plux tax through Historic Beverly’s bookstore (discounted for members), Historic Beverly’s online store (historicbeverly.net/shop/), and Amazon.com. 

My New Book: The Beverly Pottery: The Wares of Charles A. Lawrence

My New Book: The Beverly Pottery: The Wares of Charles A. Lawrence

See Article for More Information

Available Through Historic Beverly and Amazon.com

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

Newburyport, Massachusetts Pottery Exhibit Feature Story Published in the November 22, 2019 Issue of Antiques & Auction News

This is the print version of the feature story about the Newburyport, Massachusetts pottery exhibit at the Custom House Maritime Museum that I wrote about last week, which was just  published in the November 22, 2019 issue of Antiques & Auction News. The newspaper is a Mid-Atlantic publication currently celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Here are links to the PDF version of each page uploaded to my Scribd account:

Page 1 Newburyport, Mass. Pottery Exhibit Feature Story

Page 2 Newburyport, Mass. Pottery Exhibit Feature Story

Feature Story: Potters on the Merrimac: A Century of New England Ceramics

Potters on the Merrimac: A Century of New England Ceramics

Published in the November 22, 2019 Issue of Antiques & Auction News

 See Article for More Information

Potters on the Merrimac: A Century of New England Ceramics

Published in the November 22, 2019 Issue of Antiques & Auction News

 See Article for More Information

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

Newburyport, Massachusetts Pottery Exhibit Featured in Winter 2019 Issue of Newburyport Magazine

The Winter 2019 issue of Newburyport Magazine has just been published, and it includes a wonderful feature story showcasing the local Newburyport, Massachusetts pottery exhibit that I guest curated at the Custom House Maritime Museum in Newburyport. The story was written by Dave Rogers; Bryan Eaton was the photographer.

The perspective in this article is somewhat different than what has already been published in the exhibit catalog, as well as by Maine Antique Digest, Antiques & the Arts Weekly, and Antiques & Auction News. This is a more personal story, describing the meaning of the exhibit, and how it actually materialized, among other subjects.

Here is a link to the Winter 2019 issue - the feature story begins on page 18.

Newburyport Pottery Exhibit Featured in Winter 2019 Issue of Newburyport Magazine

Winter 2019 Issue of Newburyport Magazine

This Issue Includes a Feature Story Written About the Newburyport, Mass. Pottery Exhibit

See Article for a Link to the Story

Part of the Cover Photo to the Feature Story

See Article for a Link to the Story

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

Wonderful Late-19th Century Red Earthenware Vase that Sold Yesterday at Maple Leaf Auctions in Ontario

This is a really sweet late-nineteenth century red earthenware vase that I won yesterday at Maple Leaf Auctions in Carleton Place, Ontario in Canada. The vase was consigned from a collection in Kitchener/Waterloo, Ontario, and it was likely found years ago in Ontario, as well.

While I do not know who made this vase, it is certainly a very unusual form from a traditional utilitarian potter, which checks all the major boxes for desirability, such as rarity, form, refinement, glaze and aesthetics.

This vase may be American made, but I would absolutely not rule out an Ontario potter. And not that I would ever use glaze as a means for attribution, but this is a glaze style often found in Ontario, especially during this period.

I was also drawn to this piece because its form is really a post-1876 American Arts and Crafts Period form, possibly inspired from Asian wares. But this is an American or Ontario interpretation. This is a form that is more traditionally found with American art potters, especially those employed in New England. Although, I do not believe this is related to New England, which is why I think it is potentially a possible great piece of Ontario pottery. Some may even consider this a transitional piece, moving away from everyday household wares to more decorative objects, including flowerpots and garden wares.

Nevertheless, though, American versus Ontario, I think this is a beautiful piece of pottery in a really unusual refined form with a lot of personality.

Late-19th Century Red Earthenware Vase

 Late-19th Century Red Earthenware Vase

Possibly Made in American, But I Certainly Would Not Rule Out Ontario

Circa 1875-1900

Stands 3 5/8" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Maple Leaf Auctions

 Another View of the Vase

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Maple Leaf Auctions

View of the Base

See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Maple Leaf Auctions

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

Feature Story About the Newburyport, Massachusetts Pottery Exhibit Published in Antiques & Auction News

Most people who read this website probably know I guest curated a pottery exhibit that is currently on display at the Custom House Maritime Museum in Newburyport, Massachusetts. The exhibit, "Potters on the Merrimac: A Century of New England Ceramics" runs through April 2020, and it has received great reviews so far, as well as some wonderful press from the media.

The latest feature story about the exhibit was just published today in the most recent issue of Antiques & Auction News, a Mid-Atlantic publication that is currently celebrating its 50th Anniversary (1969-2019).

Here is a link to the online version of the story, titled, "Potters on the Merrimac: A Century of New England Ceramics." I will post the print version once it becomes available.

Feature Story Published About the Newburyport, Mass. Pottery Exhibit

"Potters on the Merrimac: A Century of New England Ceramics"

Feature Story Published Today in Antiques & Auction News

See Article for More Information

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

19th Century Stoneware Temperance Jug from the Bray Pottery in Evansville, Indiana

Nineteenth century temperance jugs are most recognizable today from the Wallace and Cornwall Kirkpatrick Pottery in Anna, Illinois; however, this type of production is also found with other Midwestern potters, such as documented examples from Indiana and Missouri, as well as businesses elsewhere in America.

This particular stoneware jug sold at Case Antiques in Knoxville, Tennessee in August 2017. The jug is incised allover, creating a tree bark appearance; it is also decorated with a hand modeled monkey, a lizard, a snake and a turtle. The side of the jug is incised, "B. / 1885," and the base is signed, "Bray / 1885."

The jug is attributed to Simeon Lewis Bray (1849-1914) in Evansville, Indiana, who was born in Blackstone near Worcester, Massachusetts in 1849, but moved with his family at a young age to Wisconsin. Although, he and his brother, William Bray lived in Anna for many years, likely apprenticing or working at the Kirkpatrick Pottery. Afterwards, they relocated more than 100 miles west establishing a pottery in Evansville in the mid-1870s, possibly attracted to the thriving river trade along the Ohio River.

This example may be one of the better known temperance jugs from the Bray pottery, where some of the other examples appear like those made in Anna. Simeon and William were likely introduced to this type of production in the early-1870s when it first became popular with the Kirkpatrick brothers. This example is a little more unique in its form and appearance than some of the other known examples, which are all extraordinary survivors and extremely rare objects to find today.

According to Case Antiques, "Simeon married Martha Scher on January 27, 1876 in Evansville, and remained in the area until at least 1901. By 1910 he is working in St. Louis, Missouri as a potter. Simeon died there in 1914, but was buried in Evansville."

Simeon was also involved with all sorts of patents while working in Evansville, some related to pottery production, while others were unrelated. For example, I have posted a patent below for a fruit jar holder that was published in 1901. He is also listed as a general contractor in the Evansville City Director throughout the 1890s.

Temperance Jug from Evansville, Indiana

 19th Century Temperance Snake Jug

Attributed to Simeon Bray (1849-1914) in Evansville, Indiana

Circa 1885

Stands 7 3/4" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Case Antiques

Another View of the Jug

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Case Antiques

 Another View of the Jug

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Case Antiques

The Side of the Jug is Inscribed"B. / 1885"

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Case Antiques

The Base of the Jug is Inscribed "Bray / 1885"

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Case Antiques

Simeon L. Bray Fruit Jar Holder Patent

Fruit Jar Holder

Patented by Simeon L. Bray in Evansville, IN in 1901

See Article for More Information

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

Tobacco Humidor in the Shape of a Kiln Made on Staten Island in New York City

While working on a research project about the eighteenth and nineteenth century domestic household pottery on Staten Island in New York City, I came across this fascinating terra cotta tobacco humidor in the shape of a kiln from the collection of the Staten Island Historical Society. The humidor is marked near the base, "ATLANTIC TERRA COTTA CO," and it may have been designed as a presentation piece or for promotional purposes, such as marketing to architects.

Founded in the late-1890s by De Forest Grant, William D. Frerichs, S.S. Whitehurst and Charles U. Thrall, the Atlantic Terra Cotta Company became one of the largest terra cotta manufacturers in the United States, largely as a result of company mergers. The first merger occurred in 1906-07 when the Perth Amboy, New Jersey Terra Cotta Company, the Excelsior Terra Cotta Company, and the Standard Terra Cotta Company merged with the Staten Island firm under the Atlantic Terra Cotta Company name. The company's production was also split between its location at 101 Ellis Street on Staten Island and the main factory and kilns that were located about four miles south in Perth Amboy.

According to the historical society, "For over three decades, the Atlantic Terra Cotta Company designed and manufactured architectural fabric and ornament, sculpture, and garden pottery that was installed and used in almost every major American city as well as abroad. Founded in 1897, the company opened its factory in Tottenville, Staten Island, in 1898 and expanded rapidly. By 1906, the Tottenville plant was employing 450 to 500 men and was producing the fabric and ornament for such prestigious projects as the first New York City subway stations, the upper stories of the Flatiron Building, and the Plaza Hotel."

I suspect that much of the beautiful ornamental terra cotta found throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn and New York City's other boroughs, as well as possibly even Hartford, Connecticut may have originated at the Atlantic Terra Cotta Company. For instance, I posted a picture of a wonderful building covered in terra cotta design that I saw last spring while visiting Hartford. Interestingly, by 1910, about seventy percent of New York City's high-rise buildings were built utilizing some type of terra cotta, some of which was in classic ancient designs.

The Atlantic Terra Cotta Company ceased production on Staten Island in 1930, but the building's 135 foot smokestack remained a landmark site on Staten Island until it was torn down in 1988.

Tobacco Humidor in the Shape of a Kiln

 Late-19th or Early-20th Century Terra Cotta Tobacco Humidor

Made at the Atlantic Terra Cotta Company on Staten Island or Perth Amboy, NJ

Circa 1898-1930

Stands 8 1/4" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Staten Island Historical Society

View of the Mark, "ATLANTIC TERRA COTTA CO."

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Staten Island Historical Society

Original Sign from the Atlantic Terra Cotta Company

Measures H 27.5" x W 19.5" x D 5.5"

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Guernsey's New York

The Atlantic Terra Cotta Company at 101 Ellis Street on Staten Island

Circa 1898-1930

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Staten Island Historical Society

Employees of the Atlantic Terra Cotta Company on Staten Island
Circa 1920

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Staten Island Historical Society

The Site of the Atlantic Terra Cotta Company Today at 101 Ellis Street on Staten Island
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: AbandonedNYC

Terra Cotta in Hartford, Connecticut

Building Decorated with Ornamental Terra Cotta in Hartford, CT

Possibly Made at the Atlantic Terra Cotta Company or Another Northeastern Manufacturer

See Article for More Information

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

The Red Earthenware in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century

I was just going through some pictures this morning that were taken this summer in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and this particular tidal spot in Portsmouth is filled with nineteenth and early-twentieth century artifacts, some may even date to the eighteenth century. We found a few handfuls of New England red earthenware, but it's nearly impossible to identify where these pieces were made.

This area is located a short distance from Strawbery Banke and Prescott Park, which is where docks were located in the eighteenth and nineteenth century. The area is also surrounded by some of Portsmouth's oldest homes.

A misconception that I have found with red earthenware recovered in Portsmouth is that it was all made locally. However, I have studied the archaeology collections at Stawbery Banke's Archaeology Department extensively, and the reality is that some pottery was made in Portsmouth in the 1700s and 1800s, but a large amount was also imported from other businesses located elsewhere in central and northern New England.

For instance, wares were shipped to Portsmouth from Newburyport and Charlestown, Massachusetts in the eighteenth century, and in the nineteenth century it was shipped from areas located to the north, west and south. I have seen wares that were made in North Yarmouth, Maine, Rochester, New Hampshire area, Concord, New Hampshire and Merrimacport, Massachusetts.

For more information about the locally made red earthenware available in Portsmouth in the 1700s and 1800s - I suggest these two feature stories that I wrote, which were published in the April 2017 issue of the New England Antiques Journal and the February 2018 issue of Maine Antique Digest.

1) A Pioneering Potter: Samuel Marshall of Portsmouth, New Hampshire

2) The Dodges and Their Potteries

Red Earthenware Artifacts Recovered in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Tidal Waterway in Portsmouth, NH

This Area is Filled with Artifacts

See Article for More Information

Tidal Waterway in Portsmouth, NH

This Area is Filled with Artifacts

See Article for More Information

Tidal Waterway in Portsmouth, NH

This Area is Filled with Artifacts

See Article for More Information

My Niece Alexis with Some of the New England Red Earthenware We Recovered

It's Nearly Impossible to Say if These Were Made in Portsmouth, NH

See Article for More Information

Some of the New England Red Earthenware We Recovered

It's Nearly Impossible to Say if These Were Made in Portsmouth, NH

See Article for More Information

Some of the New England Red Earthenware We Recovered

It's Nearly Impossible to Say if These Were Made in Portsmouth, NH

See Article for More Information

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

Colonial Sheet Music Published by Daniel Bayley from the Benjamin Lincoln House in Hingham, Massachusetts

The published works by Daniel Bayley (1729-1792) in Newburyport, Massachusetts is an area that I felt was important to showcase at the local pottery exhibit, currently on display at the Custom House Maritime Museum in Newburyport, titled, Potters on the Merrimac: A Century of New England Ceramics. Bayley is well known today for his red earthenware and slipware production in Gloucester and Newbury (Newburyport after 1764) before and after the American Revolution, which is represented in major museums across the country. However, he was also a prominent publisher of sheet music in the 1760s and 1770s.

This particular example, The Gentleman and Ladies Musical Companion, published in 1774, just sold last weekend at Skinner in Marlborough, Massachusetts. It had been owned by the Major General Benjamin Lincoln (1733-1810) House, which is a National Historic Landmark at 181 North Street in Hingham, Massachusetts. Major General Lincoln was a military leader during the American Revolution. The house dates to the seventeenth century with a number of eighteenth century additions.

Sheet Music Published by Daniel Bayley from the Benjamin Lincoln House

Major General Benjamin Lincoln (1733-1810) House in Hingham, Mass.

See Article for More Information

The Gentleman and Ladies Musical Companion

Published by Daniel Bayley in Newburyport, Mass. in 1774

Formerly Owned by the Benjamin Lincoln House in Hingham, Mass.

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Skinner

 One of the Pages from the Interior of the Book

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Skinner

View of the Back Cover

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Skinner

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

19th Century North Yarmouth, Maine Red Earthenware Jar Found in an Old Basement in Newburyport, Massachusetts

This is a nineteenth century red earthenware jar attributed to the industry in North Yarmouth, Maine, which is definitely noteworthy, even though it was not illustrated in the feature story I wrote about this industry for the November 2019 issue of Maine Antique Digest, titled, The North Yarmouth, Maine, Pottery Industry, 1791-1890. This is a beautifully glazed object that should certainly be documented, as well as retaining a wonderful provenance.

The history of this jar is great - it was found years ago in an old basement in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Newburyport is also where this industry originated, when a potter left the 1763-1799 Daniel Bayley Pottery Company, and migrated north to North Yarmouth, establishing a business in 1791 that helped transform the area into an industry in the 1800s.

The jar also retains its original lid, where the base of the jar and the bottom of the lid have been inscribed with the number "2." For more information about this industry, I suggest the link I provided above or I recommend searching Maine Antique Digest's website for the recently published story.

North Yarmouth, Maine Red Earthenware Jar

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Retaining its Original Lid
Attributed to the Industry in North Yarmouth, Maine
The Lid and Base of the Jar are Inscribed with a Matching Number "2"

Found Years Ago in an Old Basement in Newburyport, Mass.

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private New England Collection

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

Red Earthenware Basket Found in Central Pennsylvania

While visiting central Pennsylvania a few weeks ago, I stopped in some of the area's antique shops; some of the shops are well known and others are not. I found this somewhat large red earthenware basket in the New Oxford Antiques Center. I believe the basket could date from the late-nineteenth century.

This basket may have been made in imitation of silver baskets made during the same period, commonly known as bride's baskets, which became extremely popular around the 1880s as a gift for a bride on her wedding day. Although, these type of silver baskets date to around the mid-nineteenth century, but by the late-1800s, companies began to produce silver plate baskets so they would appeal to a larger market at more affordable prices.

According to an article written by Phyllis Hoffman DePiano, The History of Brides Baskets, "Many companies produced silver-plated holders, and a glass insert, often hand painted, was chosen to compliment the stand. Highly favored as wedding gifts, the baskets were made by many illustrious manufacturers such as Pairpoint, Meriden, Reed & Barton, Rogers Bros., and Brittania. The bowls were made in almost every color, with crimped, ruffled, or fluted edges; cut-glass bowls became popular after 1890. It is noteworthy that the manufacturers did not call these brides baskets but cake or fruit baskets. The name brides basket is a more modern reference to these baskets. The brides basket went out of favor as the wedding gift in late-1905."

This basket may have been made in Pennsylvania, although I have not been able to find many late-nineteenth century examples of this form. It seems to have been a style more popular with some of the twentieth century potters in Pennsylvania, such as Lester Breininger (1935-2011).

Red Earthenware Basket Found in Central Pennsylvania

The New Oxford, PA Antiques Center
I Found this Basket in the Back of this Shop

See Article for More Information

Possibly Late-19th Century American Red Earthenware Basket
Found in Central Pennsylvania

Measures 8 1/2" Wide

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Basket

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Basket

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Basket

See Article for More Information

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