According to the Wisconsin Historical Society, "Conrad Langenberg (1830-1899) was a German trained potter before he relocated to the German Calvanist settlement of Franklin, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin in 1855 (at the time known as Lipper's Mills). Using red earthenware clay he dug from the banks of the Sheboygan River, Langenberg produced pottery in the summer kitchen attached to his house between 1856 and 1893. He reportedly sold his pottery from a two-wheeled cart, as well as from his front porch and at local agricultural fairs. Regarding his craft, he is said to have commented, "Wir machen unser Geld aus Dreck" (We potters make our money from dirt)."
Some of the wares manufactured by Langenberg may have even traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but, even so the Wisconsin Historical Society actually owns a number of examples of his red earthenware, although, this teapot is probably the most significant surviving piece of his production known today. And while a lot of the Langenberg pottery that exists is not glazed on the exterior, this particular object is entirely glazed and decorated with a brushed tulip in slip on both sides. Records indicate that this teapot was made by Langenberg for his own personal use.
Other forms manufactured by Langenberg include milk pitchers, bean pots, jars, batter bowls, mugs, muffin pans, crocks, pipkins, jugs and flowerpots, Interestingly, some of the forms are similar to wares mad by Carl Ludwig Heinrich Mehwaldt (1809-1887), another German trained potter who migrated to the Village of Bergholz near Niagara Falls in western New York in the early 1850s. A research article I wrote about Mehwaldt will be published in a forthcoming issue of Antiques & Auctions News, which I worked on with the Das Haus Museum in Bergholz.
19th Century Red Earthenware Teapot with Tulips Manufactured in Franklin, WI
2 comments:
The township of Franklin is in Sheboygan County which is North of Milwaukee by about 45 miles. Not South of Milwaukee.
Thank you!
Post a Comment