EarlyAmericanCeramics.com: An Incredible 19th Century Red Earthenware Urn Recently Discovered in an Estate in Medway, Massachusetts

Monday, May 23, 2022

An Incredible 19th Century Red Earthenware Urn Recently Discovered in an Estate in Medway, Massachusetts

I posted this incredible two-part nineteenth century red earthenware urn over the weekend to both my Facebook and Instagram accounts, although I wanted to post it here as well, seeing that I think it's one of the most remarkable pieces of pottery I have seen in sometime. I was actually notified last week about this object by Robert Girouard, who has handled a number of great pieces of American red earthenware and stoneware through the years.

I acquired the urn from an antiques dealer in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, however, he had just found it at an estate sale in Medway, Massachusetts. It must weigh upwards of twenty-five pounds and stands just over twenty inches tall.

My feeling is that this piece is American made, but a Canadian origin shouldn't be ruled out either; the form reminds me of pieces made in places like Bennington, Vermont and at the Dion Pottery in Quebec in the 1800s. But the pieces of this stature that I am referencing at these locations were molded refined pottery often made out of white earthenware, whereas this piece appears to have been largely hand-formed, hand-thrown and made from red earthenware. It is also adorned with what appears to be various sprig molded decorations on the body and the the lid, as well as some reticulated cutouts. The knob for lifting and carrying the lid is also quite impressive.

I had also thought that the glaze on this piece was similar to a variety of wares made at the John Bell (1800-1880) Pottery in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania in the 1800s, including a large water cooler of a similar size with dolphin formed handles and lid owned by the Renfrew Museum & Park in Waynesboro, although this is most likely not a Bell piece.

It is notable though that there is at least one other related slightly larger urn known, which sold last summer in the collection of Joyce Bowes Collis at Pook & Pook in Downington, Pennsylvania. She was from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, but it is unknown where she bought the urn. But it is possible that she may have also purchased it in Pennsylvania.

Nevertheless, I think this is an incredible piece of nineteenth century red earthenware that hopefully I will be able to narrow down to a region of manufacture in the near future.

19th Century Red Earthenware Urn Recently Discovered in an Estate in Medway, Mass.