A Painted Piece of Nineteenth Century Red Earthenware Found in Central Mass., Likely Made in Beverly, Mass.

While visiting Antiques Associates at West Townsend, Massachusetts last weekend, I decided to stop in a shop located about a block away from the business. Inside the shop, I found this nineteenth century painted red earthenware pot or possibly a vase with a gold painted interior rim and gold painted base. I believe the paint is entirely original.

I also believe this vase was very likely made at the Charles A. Lawrence (1826-1904) Pottery in Beverly, Massachusetts, circa 1866-1906, and it may have been made in imitation of a type of ancient Greek and Roman pottery, which is known for its red color, Terra sigillata. This is a type of pottery manufactured from ultra refined clay that can give a soft sheen when applied to bone-dry wares, and if polished or burnished while still damp, may give a high gloss. The ancient Greeks and Romans used this technique instead of a glaze.

The reason I believe this object was made in Beverly is a result of how the texture on the exterior appears, which feels extremely smooth, possibly a result of being polished, a technique that the C.A. Lawrence Pottery seems to have used on its reproduction ancient pottery. The style of the paint on this pot also matches objects in the collection of Historic Beverly, where the exterior has been painted one color with the base and interior rim painted a different color. Many of the objects owned by Historic Beverly also exhibit an unfinished interior, revealing bear clay, such as the case with this example, as well.

For more information about the ancient wares made at the C.A. Lawrence Pottery in Beverly after 1872: Historic Beverly just published my book, The Beverly Pottery: The Wares of Charles A. Lawrence, which is available in the museum's bookstore and through Historic Beverly's online shop.

Nineteenth Century Red Earthenware Pot or Vase Found in Central Mass.

19th Century Painted Red Earthenware Pot or Vase

Painted Red on the Exterior and Painted Gold on the Interior of the Rim and the Base

Very Likely Made at the C.A. Lawrence Pottery in Beverly, Mass.

Very Likely Circa 1872-1906

Stands 7 1/8" Tall
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View of One of the Handles

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View of the Gold Painted Rim and Unfinished Interior

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Another View of the Gold Painted Rim and Unfinished Interior

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View of the Gold Painted Vase

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