Wonderful Green Glazed Red Earthenware Mug from Bristol County, Massachusetts

Just in time for Saint Patrick's Day is this wonderful late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth century red earthenware mug that I just acquired, which is attributed to the industry in Bristol County, Massachusetts, circa 1770-1830. The seller told me it was recently discovered in the South.

I have seen examples of this form of mug on a few occasions, some of which are owned by Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, and published in a research article I wrote for the June 2018 issue of Maine Antique Digest, titled, "The Pottery Industry in Southeastern Massachusetts."  While others are owned in the Lura Woodside Watkins (1897-1982) Collection at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.

Although, I can only recall seeing two other green glazed red earthenware mugs from this industry, one of which was discovered in the twentieth century by Falmouth, Massachusetts antiques dealers, Hilary and Paulette Nolan (also illustrated in the Maine Antique Digest research story), and now owned by Sam Forsythe in Columbus, Ohio. The other is owned as part of the Mrs. William Whitman, Jr. Collection at the Bennington Museum in Bennington, Vermont. But the size of this mug is smaller than those, standing only three-and-one-half inches tall, although, the Bennington Museum's mug measures four inches tall.

Interestingly, according to the family history, the mug retains a nineteenth century shaving brush with a turned wooden handle and horsehair bristles. It is believed that this piece was used as a shaving cup for a period of time, but it is currently unknown how it traveled to the South.

Green Glazed Red Earthenware Mug from Bristol County, Massachusetts

 Late-18th or Early-19th Century Green Glazed Red Earthenware Mug

Attributed to the Industry in Bristol County, Mass.

Family History Says it was Used for a Period as a Shaving Mug

It Retains a 19th Century Shaving Brush with Turned Wooden Handle

Circa 1770-1830

Stands 3 1/2" Tall

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 Another View of the Mug

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 View of the Handle

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 View of the Interior

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View of the 19th Century Shaving Brush

Measures 4" Long

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Green Glazed Red Earthenware Mug Owned by the Bennington Museum

Late-18th or Early-19th Century Green Glazed Red Earthenware Mug

Attributed to the Industry in Bristol County, Mass.

Mrs. William Whitman, Jr. Collection

Circa 1770-1830

Stands 4" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Bennington Museum

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