An Excellent Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Jar Formerly Owned by George S. McKearin in the Detroit Institute of Arts

As I wrote in a recent post, "It may not be widely known, although, noted New York City dealer, author and collector George S. McKearin (1874-1958) happened to have written an important book about glass and was a major collector, but he was also major collector of pottery who knew other major collectors like Lura Woodside Watkins (1897-1982) and others. "

To my knowledge, this jar is among the better examples of American red earthenware owned by McKearin, but probably not well known, which he sold to the Detroit Institute of Arts in 1949. The jar was later published by the museum in 1950-51.

The piece I wrote about a few days ago that was once owned by McKearin was numbered "624" on the original collection/inventory tag that it retained, meaning there were 623 pieces before it. Personally, I think the McKearin Collection of pottery deserves a lot more attention today, seeing that it is not something that was ever published other than a piece here and there, such as Figure 81 in Watkins' book Early New England Potters and Their Wares and a loan exhibition catalog that he was a part of in 1931. Occasionally, pieces do show up with McKearin's tag in the auction circuit and with antiques dealers, but it would be great to learn more about the pottery collection he once owned in its entirety.

Interestingly though, I have never quite seen a jar like this one before - now because of the form and the large round footed base, I want to say that it may have been made in New England - but on the other hand, the slip decoration certainly appears like it originated in the Mid Atlantic region. Nonetheless, it is just an outstanding piece of early American red earthenware. According to the museum, "The jar dates between the circa 1800-1850 period and it was purchased in 1949 directly from George McKearin Antiques in New York City."

Does anyone reading this have any thoughts about the origin of this lidded jar?

Note: For anyone interested - Massachusetts antiques dealer Sam Herrup currently has a nineteenth century slip decorated red earthenware match holder from the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia for sale that retains a McKearin collection label numbered "598."

An Excellent American Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Jar

19th Century American Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Jar

Circa 1800-1850

Stands 10 1/4" Tall

Formerly Owned by George S. Mckearin

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Detroit Institute of Arts

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