A Red Earthenware Bust of Ulysses S. Grant Manufactured at the Goodwin Pottery in West Hartford, Connecticut

While compiling information through the years for my sixth book that I hope will be published sometime early next year, A City on the River: The Early Red Earthenware of the Hartford, Connecticut Area, I learned about this extremely unusual red earthenware bust owned by the Noah Webster House and the West Hartford Historical Society. If it were not for the history of this piece documented with the museum, then this figure would most likely be attributed to another location today, such as Pennsylvania.

However, this red earthenware bust of Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), the eighteenth president of the United States, and previously the commanding general of the Union Army during the Civil War was manufactured at the Goodwin family pottery in West Hartford in the 1860s. It likely represents the business' support of the Union Army, although, it is possible that the Goodwins manufactured other whimsical pieces like this example through the company's existence of more than a century, circa 1798-1908.

The hand-formed bust reveals traces of a lead glaze, which leads me to believe that it was entirely glazed when it was originally manufactured.

Bust of Ulysses S. Grant Manufactured at the Goodwin Pottery in West Hartford, Connecticut

19th Century Hand-Formed Red Earthenware Bust of Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885)

Manufactured at the Goodwin Family Pottery in West Hartford, CT

Circa 1860s 

Likely Represents the Business' Support of the Union Army During the Civil War

Retains Traces of a Lead Glaze All Over

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Noah Webster House and the West Hartford Historical Society

Another View of the Red Earthenware Bust Under Different Lighting

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Noah Webster House and the West Hartford Historical Society

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