From time to time good examples of historic red earthenware and stoneware have been known to show up at the weekly Milford, New Hampshire Antiques Show, such as a great nineteenth century northern New England red earthenware rundlet with a political inscription that I wrote about earlier this year.
Nevertheless, this nineteenth century red earthenware face pitcher was just found at the show in Milford a few weeks ago; I am not positive, but the face and hair do somewhat resemble Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834), a French aristocrat and military officer who fought in the American Revolution, commanding American troops in several battles, including the siege of Yorktown in Virginia.
Various wares commemorating Lafayette were manufactured in America in the 1820s when Lafayette made a tour of the twenty-four states from July 1824 to September 1825. During this visit, he was also the last surviving major general of the Revolutionary War. Historical accounts document his trip as receiving a hero's welcome, and many honors and monuments were presented to commemorate and memorialize the visit.
Among the domestic commemorative red earthenware that was produced were wares manufactured in Norwalk, Connecticut and River Edge, New Jersey, which can be read about in a research article I wrote for the January 8, 2021 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled, The Red Earthenware Manufactured In River Edge, New Jersey: A Look At Bergen County, Pottery. I also cited Lafayette's visit and connection to the pottery industry in Concord, New Hampshire in a research story I wrote for the June 2021 issue of Maine Antique Digest, titled, The Red Earthenware Industry in Concord, New Hampshire.
These type of historical pitchers were made at a number of potteries in America in the 1800s, which represent various historical figures; they were made in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and probably other places as well. My guess is that this pitcher was made somewhere in the Northeast, although since I have never seen anything like it before, I am hesitant to be more specific about where it was made.
And as I have stated, my thought is that this figure may represent Lafayette, but if anyone reading this has any other suggestions - please let me know!
Note: It has also been suggested by Massachusetts potter Rick Hamelin that this may very well be a Mexican piece made in the 1900s.
A 19th Century Red Earthenware Face Pitcher Recently Found in New Hampshire
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
No comments:
Post a Comment