Group of Green Glazed Tiles Removed from a Church in Northern New England

According to author, Tim Grove's book, A Grizzly in the Mail and Other Adventures in American History, "Approximately 41.5 million brilliant tiles tell the stories of the history of churches in America, from American made examples to tiles that were imported from overseas." Although, America's contribution to the history of decorative tiles largely began with the Arts and Crafts movement, but there are examples that predate this period of production, such as stove tiles made by Moravian potters in Salem, North Carolina, circa 1760-1800. Roof tiles were also made in America as early as the seventeenth century. However, the production of American decorative tiles was most prominent during the 1870 to 1930 period, spanning  production throughout America, including Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Earlier this week, I visited Nor'East Architectural Salvage in South Hampton, New Hampshire, looking for a group of raised panel shutters, nevertheless, I was surprised to see their inventory of tiles. Examples ranged from rare pieces made in Chelsea, Massachusetts to much more common plain tiles. As I continued to look around their inventory, I found myself intrigued with this group of green glazed tiles, some manufactured with figures in relief. I was told they were removed about a decade ago from an early-nineteenth century church in northern New England.

I assume these tiles were imported from a foreign manufacturer seeing that I have not seen any American production that appears like this; they were manufactured from a red earthenware clay. Although, the characteristic that really caught my attention was the bright colored green glaze; most of the tiles are covered in filth. The green tile shown in the middle of the top row best represents how the glaze looks, but even this tile was dirty.

Group of Green Glazed Tiles Removed from a Church in Northern New England

Group of Green Glazed Tiles Removed from a Church in Northern New England

The Tiles are Made from a Red Earthenware Clay

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Photo Courtesy: Nor'East Architectural Salvage

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

A Beautifully Glazed 19th Century Earthenware Jar or Vase Attributed to Simon Thomas Humberstone in Toronto, Ontario

As I wrote in a post earlier this month, I was the winning bidder in one lot from the John Wine Collection that sold at Miller & Miller Auctions in New Hamburg, Ontario. This beautifully glazed nineteenth century earthenware jar is attributed to Simon Thomas Humberstone in North York, Toronto, Ontario. The attribution for this form was determined in the twentieth century from existing objects owned by the Humberstone family.

In 1984, the University of Toronto Press published author Elizabeth Collard's (1917-2001) book, Nineteenth-Century Pottery and Porcelain in Canada, Second Edition. Some of the objects illustrated in the book were from her personal collection, including a great nineteenth century earthenware jar or vase attributed to Simon Thomas Humberstone in North York, Toronto that was illustrated in plate 121. It was described as a baluster vase with relief horizontal bands, decorated in a mottled green and yellow glaze with a buff body.

North York is one of six divisions of Toronto, located directly north of old Toronto, and with a population today of nearly 700,000 people. According to the North York Historical Society, "York became an economic centre attracting merchants, entrepreneurs and settlers in the nineteenth century. With about 50,000 acres of gently rolling countryside, and Yonge Street as the main road, villages sprang up at crossroads, and wherever there was water-power for mills. In 1922, the Township of North York was incorporated, with a population of 6,000."

After Elizabeth Collard died in 2001, the ceramics from her estate were sold by Ritchies Auctioneers and Appraisers in Toronto in December 2002, which included some of the pottery illustrated in her book, such as the Humberstone vase. Here is a link to the auction catalog should anyone reading this want to see the ceramics.

According to the Archives of Ontario, "Simon Thomas Humberstone (1846-1915) was the most well known potter in the Humberstone family of potters, and was very active in conservative politics in Ontario.

The Humberstone family originally moved from Staffordshire, England to Philadelphia, then to Canada at the time of the American Revolution. Samuel Humberstone (ca. 1744-1823) established one of the first potteries in Upper Canada on the land he was granted in Augusta Township in Grenville County.

Samuel Humberstone's son Thomas (1776-1849) established his own pottery in York County in 1798. His son, Thomas Humberstone Junior (1811-1895) carried on pottery at York Mills, Thornhill, Willowdale, and at Newton Brook (west side of Yonge Street, south of Steeles Avenue).

Simon Thomas Humberstone came to be the most well known of all the Humberstone potters. He engaged in potting and Conservative politics for almost fifty years. He was a candidate for the Conservative Party, and served as Deputy Reeve and later as Reeve of York Township. Under his direction, a large pottery was erected at the Yonge and Steeles site. Works from this site were known as "Newton Brook Pottery. S.T. Humberstone. Stoneware, Earthenware and Rockingham." While Humberstone made the usual brownwares and red flowerpots, he also carried out extensive experimentation with a variety of coloured glazes and shapes."

The form of this jar or vase combined with the great glaze is possibly among the types of experimentation that Humberstone participated with at his pottery.

Earthenware Jar or Vase Attributed to Simon Thomas Humberstone in Toronto, Ontario

My Niece Alexis Holding the Earthenware Jar or Vase

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  19th Century Earthenware Jar or Vase

Attributed to Simon Thomas Humberstone in North York, Toronto, Ontario

Stands 10" Tall

See Article for More Information

 Another View of the Vase

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 View of the Interior

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 View of the Base

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 The Jar or Vase Pictured with Collard's Two Books and the Miller & Miller Catalog

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Another Earthenware Jar or Vase Attributed to Simon Thomas Humberstone

19th Century Earthenware Jar or Vase

From the Collection of Author of Elizabeth Collard

Illustrated in Plate 121 in Nineteenth-Century Pottery and Porcelain in Canada, Second Edition

Attributed to Simon Thomas Humberstone in North York, Toronto, Ontario

Stands 9 7/8" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Ritchies Auctioneers and Appraisers

The Vase Illustrated in Collard's Second Edition Book

See Article for More Information

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

Carved American Pottery from the Robert A. Ellison Jr. Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Last week, I posted a story about this nineteenth century Etruscan formed stoneware vase that is attributed to the Huntington Pottery on Long Island, and likely made in the 1880s or 1890s. The vase was originally entirely covered on the exterior and interior with a brown Albany slip, although the exterior was then carved by the decorator, creating all sorts of wonderful intricate designs.

According to the information that it retains, "The vase was deaccessioned from the Litchfield, Connecticut Historical Society. It was made at the Huntington Pottery in Huntington, New York, and it is likely that the donor purchased the piece directly from the Huntington Pottery and then gifted it to the museum."

I was pleased to see other excellent examples of carved American pottery, while visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City a few days ago. These objects were included in the Robert A. Ellison Jr. Collection, dating from the circa 1892-1935 period: "Hand carving and incising leather-hard clay are two of the most widely used techniques for decorative surface embellishment. The formal qualities of porcelain - specifically, its strength and transparency - made it the ideal medium for delicately carved vignettes of Kate B. Sears in the late nineteenth century. Similarly, around 1900, Mary Louise McLaughlin introduced her Losanti ware, its carved floral and scroll-like compositions enhanced by subtly shaded glazes. Frederick Hurten Rhead, who came from the English tradition, excelled at crisply incised, stylized designs on earthenware vessels. His popular Rozane ware for the Roseville Pottery, most notably the "Della Robbia" line, epitomized the skill and detail with which he executed his conventionalized figural and landscape designs."

Interestingly, since it is known today that some of the earliest carved decorative pottery made in America was created by women, it would be very interesting to learn if this stoneware vase was also decorated by a female. It should also be taken into consideration that some of the decorative designs made in the later years at the Huntington Pottery are thought to have been created by female decorators. And while the manufacture of this vase is not as refined as a lot of American art pottery based on its weight, the skill of the design is quite accomplished. 

Carved Etruscan Formed Stoneware Vase from Long Island

 Late-19th or Early-20th Century Etruscan Formed Stoneware Vase 

Attributed to the Huntington Pottery on Long Island
Probably Circa 1880s or  1890s

Deaccessioned from the Collection of the Litchfield, Connecticut Historical Society

Stands 8 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Vase

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View of the Base with the Litchfield, CT Historical Society's Accession Number

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Carved Art Pottery from the Robert A. Ellison Jr. Collection at the MET

Collection of Carved Pottery from Robert A. Ellison Jr. Collection

Circa 1892-1935

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Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Collection of Carved Pottery from Robert A. Ellison Jr. Collection

Circa 1892-1935

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Collection of Carved Pottery from Robert A. Ellison Jr. Collection

Circa 1892-1935

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Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Collection of Carved Pottery from Robert A. Ellison Jr. Collection

Circa 1892-1935

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Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Collection of Carved Pottery from Robert A. Ellison Jr. Collection

Circa 1892-1935

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Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Collection of Carved Pottery from Robert A. Ellison Jr. Collection

Circa 1892-1935

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Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Collection of Carved Pottery from Robert A. Ellison Jr. Collection

Circa 1892-1935

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Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Information Displayed with the Carved Pottery

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Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art

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

A Stoneware Master Salt Owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City Compared to a Red Earthenware Example

While visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City a few days ago, I was reminded that the museum owns a nineteenth century stoneware master salt that is directly related to a red earthenware example I wrote about a few weeks ago. In fact, both appear to have been created from the same type of glass example made in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

I acquired the red earthenware salt from the longtime collection of William Flowers, who owns Old South Jersey Glass & Antiques. He told me that he has owned it for many years.

While creating these objects, the potter modeled them after a salt manufactured about 1820 at the New England Glass Company in Cambridge. The red earthenware example even retains the embossed mark from the glass salt, which reads, "N.E. Glass Company Boston." The design shown on the front and back of the salts is a cornucopia basket overflowing with fruit, while the sides are decorated with a flower and leaves.

The following pictures illustrate the stoneware, red earthenware and glass examples of this form, and I want to note that the stoneware and red earthenware salts are slightly smaller, likely showing how they were made from a mold taken directly from a glass example.

Stoneware Master Salt

 19th Century Molded American Stoneware Master Salt

The Potter Modeled it After a Salt Made at the New England Glass Company in Cambridge, Mass.

Circa 1820-1840

Measures 2 3/4" Wide

See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Information Displayed with the Salt

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Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Red Earthenware Master Salt

 19th Century Red Earthenware and Glass Open Salts in a Matching Form

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   (Left) 19th Century Red Earthenware Open Salt

Likely Made in New England, Possibly Massachusetts

The Potter Modeled it After a Salt Made at the New England Glass Company in Cambridge, Mass.

Circa 1820-1840

Measures 2 3/4" Wide

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  View of One of the Sides

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View of the Interior

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View of the Embossed Base

The Mark Reads, "N.E. Glass Company Boston"

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

A Great Pair of Monumental Red Earthenware Urns from Mason, Warren County, Ohio Retaining a History of Ownership in Cincinnati, Ohio

Published in this week's issue of Antiques & Auction News is a feature story I wrote about a specific type of red earthenware production from Ohio, and to coincide with that story, I would like to share this great monumental pair of related nineteenth century red earthenware urns that were recently discovered by Ohio potter, Greg Shooner. For a variety of reasons, these urns are significant to the story, including their appearance. But they also retain a long history of ownership, having originally graced the entryway to a mansion in Cincinnati, Ohio for over one century.

In the article, I discussed how Cincinnati was likely a major marketplace for this type of production from Silas Ballard (ca. 1826-1884), who worked in Mason, Warren County, Ohio, creating these type of objects during the circa 1860-1879 period, among many other wares. Although, it is really exciting to see this style of production actually retaining a history of ownership in Cincinnati.

For a full history about this type of production, here is a link to the story posted on Antiques & Auction News' website, titled, "A Look At Red Earthenware Made in Mason, Ohio." I will post the print version of the story sometime next week.

Monumental Red Earthenware Urns from Warren County, Ohio

19th Century Red Earthenware Urns from Mason, Warren County, Ohio 

They Retain a History of Ownership in Cincinnati, Ohio

Attributed to the Silas Balard (ca. 1826-1884)
Manufactured Circa 1860-1879

Each Stands a Little Over 20" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Greg Shooner

View of One of the Handles and the Glaze

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Photo Courtesy: Greg Shooner

Another View of the Glaze

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Photo Courtesy: Greg Shooner Please Stay

Tuned...Much More to Come...

New Published Feature Story: "A Look At Red Earthenware Made in Mason, Ohio"

Published in this week's issue of Antiques & Auction News is a feature story I wrote about a specific type of red earthenware production from Mason, Warren County, Ohio.  I truly believe this is an important style of production that should be recognized on a regional and national level today. I was able to write this story because of listening closely to a presentation given a few years back by Ohio potter, Greg Shooner at Historic Eastfield Village's ceramic conference in New York. But also thanks to Benny Kreiner, Michael Dupriest and the Mason, Ohio Historical Society.

Here is a link to the story posted on Antiques & Auction News' website, titled, "A Look At Red Earthenware Made in Mason, Ohio." I will post the print version of the story sometime next week.

"A Look At Red Earthenware Made in Mason, Ohio"

"A Look At Red Earthenware Made in Mason, Ohio"

Published in this Week's Issue of Antiques & Auction News

See Article for More Information

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

New Published Research Story: "Early Pottery Manufactured in Champion, N.Y."

Published in the current February 28, 2020 issue of Antiques & the Arts Weekly is a research story I wrote about a nearly unknown red earthenware pottery in Champion, New York, located in the northern part of the state near the shores of Lake Ontario and the Ontario, Canada border. The foundation for my research began with an important circa 1820 slip-script red earthenware jar from the collection of the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. To my knowledge, the only information  previously published about pottery production in Champion was in 1878.

If you do not have access to the printed copy of the magazine, a downloadable version can be found on Antiques & the Arts Weekly's website. The story is published on page 44, and titled, "Early Pottery Manufactured in Champion, N.Y."

Here is also a link to a PDF of the story that I have uploaded by my Scribd account.

"Early Pottery Manufactured in Champion, N.Y."

"Early Pottery Manufactured in Champion, N.Y."

Research Story Published in the February 28, 2020 Issue of Antiques & the Arts Weekly

See Article for More Information

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

An Excellent Colonial Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Dish Recovered in Philadelphia

While researching a piece of pottery a few weeks ago, I came across this old advertisement from Sidney Gecker, a prominent New York City antiques dealer. The ad illustrates a Colonial eighteenth century slip-decorated red earthenware dish reportedly attributed to Moravian production in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, circa 1745-1760. Although, I am not sure how the attribution was determined, but Bethlehem is located nearly seventy miles north of Philadelphia.

Interestingly, the dish was recovered from an excavation site on Front Street in Philadelphia; Front Street is located next to the Delaware River and was a major artery for the city during and after the Colonial period.

According to Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites, "In the eighteenth century, Moravian settlers from Europe established a communal society in Bethlehem as part of an international religious network and social experiment. The Moravians eventually acquired close to 4,000 acres, and by 1747, thirty-five crafts, trades and industries were established, including a pottery. The most  prodigious period of  this settlement began with its founding in 1741 until the end of the General Economy in the 1760s. With the coming of the Revolutionary War and outside influences, a slow decline ensued."

Colonial Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Dish Recovered in Philadelphia

Colonial 18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Dish

Recovered From a Site on Front Street in Philadelphia

Reportedly Attributed to Moravian Production in Bethlehem, PA

Circa 1745-1760

Measures 14 1/2" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

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

Decorative Stoneware Made at the Huntington Pottery on Long Island

This is a follow-up story to the article that I posted yesterday, which profiled a great Greek or Etruscan formed Albany slip-decorated stoneware vase attributed to the Huntington Pottery on Long Island in New York. The vase was heavily decorated on all sides in intricate designs caused by scratching away the slip and the clay creating a wonderful visual appearance.

However, posted below are some pictures that Long Island collector and scholar, Anthony Butera, Jr. shared of similar types of production from the Huntington Pottery, circa 1880s. In fact, the creation of the decoration found on at least one vase is very similar to that displayed on the vase I wrote about yesterday.

My interest with this type of production on Long Island began seven or eight years ago when I saw a pair of vases from Anthony Butera, Jr.'s collection. These vases are illustrated in the first two photos of this post, and are decorated with animals in sgraffito, most of which are African animals, likely representing America's fascination with the African safari in the late-1800s.

I also want to note that there is another pair of vases illustrated below that were manufactured in a Greek or Etruscan form, which are most likely related to the vase I posted in yesterday's article.

Decorative Stoneware Made at the Huntington Pottery on Long Island

 19th Century Stoneware Vases with Sgraffito Decoration

Attributed to the Huntington Pottery on Long Island

Decorated with a Variety of Animals, Most of which are from the African Safari

Circa 1880s

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Anthony Butera, Jr.

Another View of the Vases

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Photo Courtesy: Anthony Butera, Jr.

 19th Century Stoneware Vase Made at the  Huntington Pottery on Long Island

Inscribed "For the Lights Along the Shore, Aug. 19 80'"
This Decoration was Created by Scratching Away the Albany Slip and Clay

See Article for More Information
From the Collection of the Huntington Historical Society

 19th Century Stoneware Pitcher Made at the Huntington Pottery on Long Island

Decorated in Sgraffito with Floral Motifs

Dated "1880" and Signed "EPN"

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 19th Century Stoneware Vase Made at the Huntington Pottery on Long Island

Decorated with a Scene in Sgraffito

Bottom Inscribed "Z. Milhau"

Circa 1880-1905

See Article for More Information

19th Century Greek or Etruscan Shaped Vases

Attributed to the Huntington Pottery on Long Island

Published in The Magazine Antiques in 1923

Circa 1880-1905

See Article for More Information

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

Great Etruscan Formed Stoneware Vase Attributed to the Huntington Pottery on Long Island

This is an object that I am really excited to post today, which I just acquired from a private collection in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. This Greek or Etruscan formed vase is attributed to the Huntington Pottery on Long Island in New York. According to the collector, "This vase was probably one of the last pieces made at the pottery. It was dipped in a brown Albany slip then carved back to the raw clay, similar to sgraffito, creating intricate designs."

The collector acquired this vase years ago at an auction that featured items deaccessioned from the Litchfield, Connecticut Historical Society. After they won the lot, they checked with the curator of the historical society in order to retrieve more information about the history of this vase, and it was determined that,  "The vase was made at the Huntington Pottery in Huntington, New York, and the piece came into the museum's collection the year it was made. It is likely that the donor purchased the piece directly from the Huntington Pottery and then gifted it to the museum."

To my knowledge, I have not seen another piece of pottery exactly like this made at the Huntington Pottery, but there are a few similar formed Albany slip and scratch decorated vases owned privately on Long  Island. I will post more pictures of this piece when it arrives at my house later this week.

Etruscan Formed Stoneware Vase Attributed to the Huntington Pottery on Long Island

 Late-19th or Early-20th Century Etruscan Formed Stoneware Vase 

Attributed to the Huntington Pottery on Long Island

Deaccessioned from the Litchfield, Connecticut Historical Society

Stands 8 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

View of the Base with the Historical Society's Accession Number

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

19th Century Painted Red Earthenware Vase Discovered Yesterday in Maine

Illustrated in a book that I wrote that was just published by Historic Beverly in Massachusetts, titled, The Beverly Pottery: The Wares of Charles A. Lawrence, is a wide variety of painted decorative objects that were made at the C.A. Lawrence Pottery, circa 1872-1900. In the case of the wares made in Beverly, all of the paint is original to the production, seeing that Lawrence employed an artist from Marblehead, Massachusetts to fill this specific role. This type of production has been largely overlooked through the years, and was among the first businesses in America to use paint to decorate their production (they were the first American company to reproduce ancient pottery).

Yesterday, while out and about in Maine, my niece Alexis and myself found this nineteenth century painted red earthenware vase, which based on the amount of dirt that covered the interior and exterior, appeared like it had just been pulled from an attic, cellar or barn. The form of the vase and the style of paint very much resemble objects made  at the C.A. Lawrence Pottery (see below), which are owned by Historic Beverly. I suspect that this is where this vase was made, as well. Although, it is a little more refined than most of the Beverly pieces that I have handled, which does not necessarily mean a lot because there were a group of potters employed at the C.A. Lawrence Pottery.

Interestingly, there are very few objects known from the Beverly Pottery that are decorated with just flowers, and the style of the flowers found on this vase is similar to some of those painted on a great ewer from the collection of Historic Beverly (see below).

Painted Red Earthenware Vase Found in Maine

My Niece Alexis Holding the Vase  that We Found in Maine

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19th Century Painted Red Earthenware Vase

The Decoration is Likely Original to the When the Vase was Manufactured

Very Possibly Made at the C.A. Lawrence Pottery in Beverly, Mass.
The Paint and Shape is Very Similar to the Wares Posted Below Owned by Historic Beverly

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Another View of the Vase

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Another View of the Vase

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Another View of the Vase

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View of the Base

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

 19th Century Painted Red Earthenware Ewer

The Paint is Original to When the Ewer was Produced

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

Circa 1872-1900

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Historic Beverly

 19th Century Painted Ancient Style Red Earthenware Vase

The Paint is Original to When the Ewer was Produced

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

Circa 1876

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Historic Beverly

The Base is Marked "Beverly Pottery / C.A. Lawrence / Antiquarian / Centennial / Beverly, Mass."

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Photo Courtesy: Historic Beverly

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