Forthcoming Western New York Research Story that will be Published in Antiques & Auction News

Last summer, I visited the Das Haus Museum located at the original Prussian Lutheran settlement near Niagara Falls in the village of Bergholz. The goal of the visit was to learn more about Carl Ludwig Heinrich Mehwaldt's (1809-1887) red earthenware production, circa early-1850s to 1887, although he was a third generation German born potter who also worked in Russia and Lebanon. This research has led to a feature story I wrote that will be published in an upcoming issue of Antiques & Auction News; I worked with the museum on the story, which will include some interesting never before published information and pictures.

A major angle in the article is some of the incredibly unusual production he made as memorials for his sons and possibly another person who died in the Civil War, as well as some objects that were manufactured for the Holy Ghost Church in Bergholz. The church was built in 1847 and torn down in 1906. Most of these objects have gone missing since they were published in articles written by author Ada Walker Camehl (1866-1939) for the Buffalo Historical Society (now the Buffalo History Museum) and The Magazine Antiques in the 1920s. I truly believe that these objects are among the most unique pieces of American red earthenware manufactured anywhere in America, and true masterpieces, showing Mehwaldt's incredible skill as a potter. These are also objects that are not widely known today, but they certainly should be recognized on a national level.

Holy Ghost Church in the Berholz Settlement in Western New York

The Holy Ghost Church at the Bergholz Settlement in Western New York

The Church was Built in 1847 and Torn Down in 1906

Mehwaldt Produced Some Special Pottery that Hung in the Church

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: The Das Haus Museum

Nevertheless, I thought this piece of red earthenware from the Das Haus Museum's collection would be of interest since it appears like a form commonly attributed to European production today. This is far from the most colorful wares made by Mehwaldt, but this piece is of interest, seeing that it is attributed to Mehwaldt's production in Bergholz. Although, this is the only piece like this that I have seen that I believe can be attributed to Mehwaldt because I am not sure how to differentiate it from similar wares made in Europe in the 1800s. This cooking mold is not included in the article, although some of the exciting wares illustrated include other objects from the museum's collection, along with wares from the private collection of Gene Pratt, the New York State Museum and the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. Some of these objects can also be mistaken for production from Pennsylvania today.

Cooking Mold Attributed to the Mehwaldt Pottery in Western New York

 19th Century Red Earthenware Cooking Mold

Attributed to the Mehwaldt Pottery in Western New York

Circa Early-1850s to 1887

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: The Das Haus Museum

 Another View of the Mold

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Photo Courtesy: The Das Haus Museum

View of the Base

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Photo Courtesy: The Das Haus Museum

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