A Rare Example of Red Earthenware that Sold Tonight in Connecticut Attributed to the Bradford Family Pottery in Kingston, Massachusetts

This early-nineteenth century red earthenware pitcher just sold moments ago at Applebrook Auctions & Estate Sales in New Milford, Connecticut. The early New England form is certainly attractive, but the aspect about this object that is exciting is the coggle decoration applied below the rim. Because of this decoration, along with the form of the pitcher and handle, it can be attributed to the Bradford family pottery in Kingston, Massachusetts, which was a rather successful company that is under appreciated today. It is also rare to see this company's production sold in a public marketplace.

I have only seen a small group of these type of pitchers with this coggle decoration in my studies. In fact, all of the other pitchers (see archaeology pictures below) that I have seen are decorated with colorful glazes and have been generically attributed to Maine for decades. But archaeological evidence has proven otherwise. This is also the first black glazed example that I have seen, which is a glaze color and form more common to early production in Massachusetts.

The attribution is possible based on archaeological evidence that I have studied, which was recovered at the site of the Bradford Pottery in Kingston, and owned today by Plimouth Plantation in Plymouth, Massachusetts, as well as the Lura Woodside Watkins (1897-1982) collection at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. For example, I have posted pictures below from both archaeology collections, which reveal this exact coggle decoration, and as far as I can see this was a unique style manufactured in New England.

For more information about the Bradfords, I recommend a feature story I wrote for the May 2019 issue of Maine Antique Digest, titled, "The Bradford Family Potteries in Massachusetts."

Pitcher Attributed to the Bradford Family Pottery in Kingston, Massachusetts

Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher

Attributed to the Bradford Family Pottery in Kingston, Mass.

The Attribution is Based on Strong Archaeological Evidence

Stands 8 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Applebrook Auctions & Estate Sales

Another View of the Pitcher

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Applebrook Auctions & Estate Sales

Another View of the Pitcher

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Applebrook Auctions & Estate Sales

View of the Handle

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Applebrook Auctions & Estate Sales

View of the Base

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Applebrook Auctions & Estate Sales

Archaeological Evidence Recovered at the Site of the Bradford Family Pottery in Kingston, Mass.

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute

Archaeological Evidence Recovered at the Site of the Bradford Family Pottery in Kingston, Mass.

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy:Plimouth Plantation

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