A Rediscovered 19th Century Face Jug From Edgefield, South Carolina Sells Today in Freeport, Maine

There have been some exciting nineteenth century alkaline glazed stoneware face jugs made by African-Americans in South Carolina discovered in the Northeast recently, including examples found in Rhode Island and in New York that I have written about on this website, although the rediscovery of this face jug is equally as exciting. In fact, this face jug just sold today at Chapel Street Auctions in Freeport, Maine, whereas it was recently found in the attic of an old house in New Hampshire. 

Furthermore, while holding this jug this afternoon, I was really in awe of the bold large thumb impression left on the front of the jug just below the bottom lip. I cannot recall having seen a thumb mark exactly like this before, which for me represents a great deal of American history and the potter who manufactured this object. It is really an outstanding characteristic!

Nonetheless, the jug sold for $34,800 including the buyer's premium to Georgia collectors Doug and Brenda Howard.

Note: For more information about this type of production -- see two articles that I recently posted to this website about the exhibit, Hear Me Now: The Black Potters of Old Edgefield, South Carolina at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

MET Article: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2022/12/now-on-display-at-met-in-new-york-city.html

MFA, Boston Article: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2023/03/now-on-display-at-mfa-boston-hear-me.html

A Rediscovered 19th Century Face Jug From Edgefield, South Carolina

19th Century Alkaline Glazed Stoneware Face Jug

Attributed to Edgefield, South Carolina

Probably Circa 1855-1865 or a Little Later

Stands About 6" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chapel Street Auctions

Another View of the Face Jug

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Photo Courtesy: Chapel Street Auctions

Another View of the Face Jug

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Photo Courtesy: Chapel Street Auctions

A View of the Base

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Photo Courtesy: Chapel Street Auctions

A View of the Thumb Impression

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Photo Courtesy: Chapel Street Auctions

Another View of Thumb Impression

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Photo Courtesy: Chapel Street Auctions

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

Online Version of Maine Antique Digest's Review of My New Hartford Book

Here is the online version of Maine Antique Digest's review of my latest book, A City on the River: The Early Red Earthenware of the Hartford, Connecticut Area. The review is published in the current June 2023 issue.

Link: https://www.maineantiquedigest.com/stories/book-reviews/9271

Online Version of Maine Antique Digest's Review of My New Hartford Book

See Above for More Informatino

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

A 19th Century Glazed Red Earthenware Pipe Recovered from a Civil War Military Site in Missouri

This nineteenth century glazed red earthenware smoking pipe closely matches dozens of examples recovered at the site of the John Taber (1829-1912) Pottery in Alton, New Hampshire -- it was another find from over the holiday weekend at the fairgrounds in Deerfield, New Hampshire, where it also retains an interesting historical context.

Interestingly, most of the pipes that Taber produced were shipped all over the country, whereas this pipe was dug from a Civil War period military site in Missouri. Furthermore, it closes matches another glazed red earthenware pipe thought to have been by Taber that was recovered a few years back inside a wall at a mid-nineteenth century blacksmith's shop in Dunbarton, New Hampshire.

Link to Blacksmith shop article: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2017/01/a-19th-century-red-earthenware-pipe.html

Nonetheless, this pipe and this information will also be published in my forthcoming 500+ page, 8th book, titled, An Influential Family of Early Potters: The Clarks of New Hampshire and Related Businesses.

A 19th Century Glazed Red Earthenware Pipe

19th Century Glazed Red Earthenware Pipe

Possibly Made at the John Taber Pottery in Alton, New Hampshire

Recovered from a Civil War Military Site in Missouri

See Article for More Information

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

19th Century Decorative Wall Plate Made by Galloway & Graff Recently Found in the Philadelphia Area

There are a variety of known circa 1870s-1880s decorative painted unglazed red earthenware or terracotta wares that are marked and attributed to the Speese pottery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania today. However, it is probably lesser-known that similar wares were also made at Galloway & Graff in Philadelphia about the same time period, whereas marked wares are probably more difficult to find today. Nonetheless, this decorative painted hanging wall plate was recently discovered in the Philadelphia area and it bears the “Galloway & Graff / Philadelphia” mark on the back.

Additionally, it is unclear to me if the decoration is original to production or if it was created by an early owner, although it is important to note that the butterfly and flower decoration was a popular style among Asian wares during this period. And this popularity also transcended into American culture in the 1800s.

For more information - see an article I wrote for the February 3, 2023 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled, The Galloway Terra-Cotta Company of Philadelphia: A Brief Examination - http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2023/01/new-published-story-galloway-terra.html

19th Century Decorative Wall Plate Made by Galloway & Graff

Circa 1870s Painted Terracotta Wall Plate

Made at Galloway & Graff in Philadelphia

Recently Discovered in the Philadelphia Area

Painted with an Asian Inspired Butterfly and Flower Decoration

Measures 9 1/2" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

A View of the Back

The Back is Marked “Galloway & Graff / Philadelphia”

See Article for More Information

A View of the Mark “Galloway & Graff / Philadelphia”

See Article for More Information

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

A Good North Carolina Red Earthenware Porch Vase Found Yesterday in Deerfield, New Hampshire

This is a great colorful glaze on this large Asian inspired twentieth century red earthenware porch vase from North Carolina; I found it yesterday morning with my niece Alexis at the annual Memorial Day weekend antiques show and flea market, otherwise known as Brimfield North, at the Deerfield Fairgrounds in Deerfield, New Hampshire. The dealer told me that she recently picked it out of a design/collectible type shop in Connecticut. 

Furthermore, the vase stands 17 1/2 inches tall and was possibly made at the Arthur Ray Cole (1892-1974) Pottery in Sanford, North Carolina, circa 1940s-1960s, otherwise it was likely made by another member of the Cole family.

A. R. Cole operated his first pottery shop in 1926 in Steeds, North Carolina (near Seagrove), but in 1934 opened Rainbow Pottery in Sanford, North Carolina to be on the main North-South highway at the time, U.S. 1. In 1941, he began operating as A. R. Cole Pottery of Sanford. 

The Cole family is among the most prominent in North Carolina pottery history and among the pioneers of the North Carolina art pottery movement. A. R. Cole was the son of the potter Ruffin Cole and the nephew of potters Wrenn Cole and the well-known J. B. Cole. Following A. R. Cole's death in 1974, the pottery continued to operate under the control of his daughters Neolia and Celia, who were already established as highly skilled potters in their father's pottery at that time.

Note: A forthcoming article that I wrote about some of the North Carolina discoveries that I have made in New England over the past year or so will be published in a future issue of Antiques & Auction News.

A Good North Carolina Red Earthenware Porch Vase

20th Century Red Earthenware Porch Vase Made in North Carolina

Recently Discovered in Connecticut

Possibly Made at the A.R. Cole Pottery in Sanford, North Carolina

Probably Circa 1940s-1960s

Stands 17 1/2 " Tall

See Article for More Information

A View of One of the Handles

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Another View of the Vase

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A View of the Other Handle

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A View of the Base

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

A Rare 19th Century Red Earthenware Syrup or Oil Jar from New York Surfaces in Florida

This was quite an unexpected object that just appeared on eBay; this nineteenth century red earthenware syrup or oil jar is one of only a few known to exist today and thought to have been made on Long Island about 1840. Interestingly, the jar recently surfaced in Florida.

Furthermore, a related object was recovered from a nineteenth century archaeological context in Manhattan in New York City, whereas a surviving jar is illustrated in Anthony Butera, Jr.'s article published in the 2003 issue of Ceramics in America, titled, Informed Conjecture: Collecting Long Island Redware. And I believe this jar has now gone to a very good collection (not mine), also in New York!

Note: For more information about red earthenware recovered in New York City - I suggest an article I wrote for the October 2018 issue of Maine Antique Digest, titled, The Red Earthenware Available in the 18th and 19th Centuries in New York City. Additional articles of interest include a story I wrote for the January 31, 2020 issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly, titled, Early Red Earthenware And Stoneware Found On State Island, as well as a story I wrote for the April 30, 2020 issue of Untapped New York, titled, A Look Inside The NYC Archaeological Repository For City's Earliest Pottery.

Rare 19th Century Red Earthenware Syrup or Oil Jar from New York

19th Century Red Earthenware Syrup or Oil Jar

Likely Made on Long Island in New York

Circa 1840

Stands 8 1/4" Tall

Recently Found in Florida

See Above for More Information

Photo Courtesy: eBay

Another View of the Jar

See Above for More Information

Photo Courtesy: eBay

A View of the Base

See Above for More Information

Photo Courtesy: eBay

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

New Research Article in Antiques And The Arts Weekly -- The Other John Bell: Not A Pennsylvania Potter But London Sculptor

My latest research article is published on page 26 in the current June 2, 2023 issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly, titled, The Other John Bell: Not A Pennsylvania Potter But London Sculptor. Interestingly, this John Bell has very strong ties to the royal family in London in the 1800s.

Link to PDF of June 2nd issue: http://digital.olivesoftware.com/olive/odn/aaw/default.aspx#

Link to PDF of the story posted to my Scribd account: https://www.scribd.com/document/647970125/0602-D-026-ANA-John-Bell-London

New Research Article in Antiques And The Arts Weekly

New Research Article in June 2, 2023 Issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly

The Other John Bell: Not A Pennsylvania Potter But London Sculptor.

See Above for More Information

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

More American Bookstores Now Selling Hartford, Connecticut Book

It is really surprising, although exciting as well, seeing that dozens of major bookstores across America are selling my new 538-page sixth book, titled, A City on the River: The Early Red Earthenware of the Hartford, Connecticut Area. In fact, some of the stores that have just added the book include shops in Reno Nevada, Cincinnati, Ohio and Greenwood, Mississippi.

Joseph Beth Books in Cincinnati, Ohio

Now Selling My New Hartford Book

See Above for More Information

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

New Hartford, Connecticut Book Reviewed Nationally in the June 2023 Issue of Maine Antique Digest

This is really cool! My new 538-page sixth book, titled, A City on the River: The Early Red Earthenware of the Hartford, Connecticut Area is reviewed nationally in the June 2023 issue of Maine Antique Digest. 

Furthermore, the book is available from bookstores all over America, Canada and the U.K., although here is a link to purchase it for $58 plus shipping directly from my publisher Historic Beverly in Massachusetts: https://historicbeverly.net/product/a-city-on-the-river-the-early-red-earthenware-of-the-hartford-connecticut-area/

Here is a link to download a PDF of the book review: https://www.scribd.com/document/647859437/Book-Review-Hartford-Book-Review-in-MAD

National Book Review

A City on the River: The Early Red Earthenware of the Hartford, Connecticut Area

Published in the June 2023 Issue of Maine Antique Digest

See Above for More Information

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

An Unusual Marked 19th Century Red Earthenware Cake Mold Found Yesterday in the Lake Winnipesaukee Area in New Hampshire

I have seen more American-made nineteenth century red earthenware cake molds through the years than I can count or remember - and they are not typically something that I have given a lot of thought to unless they were marked or hand-thrown on a potter's wheel. However, Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland did sell a molded example in the summer of 2020 that caught my attention because it was made in Philadelphia and impressed along the rim "J.T. Haig." 

Interestingly, a few months after this object sold, I actually handled the mold as part of Greg Kramer's antiques inventory in Robesonia, Pennsylvania, whereas I was also surprised to see that the base on this object was impressed with the number "10." I had never seen any type of number applied on a red earthenware cake mold before, and the meaning of this number was explained in the research published with Crocker Farm's auction listing.

Link to auction listing: https://www.crockerfarm.com/stoneware-auction/2020-08-21/lot-219/Extremely-Rare-Glazed-Redware-Food-Mold-Stamped-J-T-HAIG-Philadelphia-Pennsylvania/

Nonetheless, while traveling to Mount Major yesterday in the Lake Winnipesaukee area in New Hampshire, I stopped into a few antique shops, where I came across a relatively large cake mold for only eight dollars. Normally, I would not have a lot of interest in something like this because it is not rare, although I was really surprised to see that the base of this cake mold was also marked with a number. 

However, I am not sure if this number reads "7" or "17," but regardless, the only other time that I have seen a cake mold marked with a number on the base was the example from the Haig Pottery in Philadelphia. But I could be wrong too and find out that this was something that was practiced more often than I realize in Pennsylvania in the 1800s, although I am only speaking from my own personal experience.

Additionally, if you click on the link above and read Crocker Farm's auction description, then you will see that these numbers had a distinct meaning in the way that cake molds were produced in Philadelphia. 

Update: It has been suggested that the inscribed number may actually be a "4," which is a number that was used at the Haig Pottery in Philadelphia.

An Unusual Marked 19th Century Red Earthenware Cake Mold

19th Century Red Earthenware Cake Mold Made in Pennsylvania

Found Yesterday in the Lake Winnipesaukee Area in New Hampshire

Possibly Made at the Haig Pottery in Philadelphia

The Base is Marked with an Inscribed "4," "7" or "17"

Measures 10 1/2" in Diameter and 5" Tall

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Cake Mold

See Article for More Information

A View of the Interior

See Article for More Information

A View of the Base

See Article for More Information

The Base is Inscribed with the Number "4," "7" or "17"

See Article for More Information

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

A 20th Century "Refrigerator Jar" from North Carolina Found Yesterday in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

This was an unexpected find on my way home yesterday from Mount Major in New Hampshire, where I came across this twentieth century cobalt decorated earthenware jug or jar in an antique shop in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Interestingly, the North Carolina Pottery Center in Seagrove, North Carolina owns a related object that is referred to as a "refrigerator jar," and both pieces are marked on the base "Carolina Craft / American / Hand Made." This is also considered to be a maker's mark that is difficult to find today.

Furthermore, the Carolina Craft Pottery operated in the Seagrove area from about 1927 to 1933, and it was run by Charles Cole with the help of Everette Cole and Emmitt Albright. The North Carolina Pottery Center indicates that their jar was made by either Charles or Everett Cole. 

Note: A related jar sold in August of 2021 at Leland Little in North Carolina.

A 20th Century "Refrigerator Jar" from North Carolina

20th Century Cobalt Decorated Earthenware "Refrigerator Jar"

Marked on the Base "Carolina Craft / American / Hand Made"

Probably Made by Either Charles or Everett Cole in North Carolina

Circa 1927-1933

Stands 9 1/2" Tall

Found Yesterday in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

See Article for More Information

A View of the Handle

See Article for More Information

A View of the Spout

See Article for More Information

A View of the Base

The Base is Marked "Carolina Craft / American / Hand Made"

See Article for More Information

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

Some Twentieth Century North Carolina Pottery Recently Found in Massachusetts

This is a short post today showing some recent colorfully glazed twentieth century North Carolina pottery finds in Massachusetts - the first three unmarked earthenware objects were just found this morning at my local Sunday morning flea market, while the circa 1920s-1930s apothecary or drug earthenware jar is modeled after Aztec Pottery and it is impressed on the base "Rainbow Pottery / Hand Made / Sanford, N.C." Furthermore, I found the drug jar last week at the antique shows in Brimfield, Massachusetts and the dealer told me that he found it years ago in New Canaan, Connecticut.

Note: The Strawberry pots are small standing only 5 3/4 inches tall - and I also want to mention that I have a forthcoming article that will be published in Antiques & Auction News about some of the North Carolina pottery that I have found with my niece Alexis throughout the Northeast over the past year or so.

Some Twentieth Century North Carolina Pottery Recently Found in Mass.

Two Matching Shaped Earthenware Strawberry Planters and a Vase

All Attributed to North Carolina

Probably Circa 1930s-1950s

Vase Stands 7 3/4" Tall

The Strawberry Planters Stand 5 3/4" Tall

Found This Morning at a Massachusetts Flea Market

See Article for More Information

A View of the Base

See Article for More Information

Circa 1920s-1930s Apothecary or Drug Jar Modeled After Aztec Pottery

Impressed on Base "Rainbow Pottery / Hand Made / Sanford, N.C."

Recently Found in Brimfield, Mass.

Dealer Said He Found it Years Ago in New Canaan, Connecticut 

Stands 8 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

A View of the Base

The Base is Marked "Rainbow Pottery / Hand Made / Sanford, N.C."

See Article for More Information

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

Forthcoming Western New York Book -- America's Great Awakening and Migration: The Red Earthenware of Western New York

I just wanted to announce that I have begun working on my ninth book in my pottery book series, titled, America's Great Awakening and Migration: The Red Earthenware of Western New York. If anyone has any good pottery from this region that they would like to contribute - please feel free to contact me. I'm not sure when the book will be published, seeing that I already have Maine and New Hampshire books waiting to be printed for proof copies, but this Western New York book is currently in the works. 

Interestingly, it will include some previously important unpublished Western New York research from New York archaeologist and museum specialist George Hamell, which was documented in a 64 page manuscript that he originally wrote in 1971. Some of this information includes red earthenware potters working at multiple businesses in the Western New York area, as early as the 1790s.

Forthcoming Western New York Book

Forthcoming Western New York Book

America's Great Awakening and Migration: The Red Earthenware of Western New York

See Article for More Information

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

19th Century Ancient Style Red Earthenware Urn Recently Found in a House in Malden, Mass.

This is a really cool and rare late nineteenth century Grecian style red earthenware urn that was just found in a house in Malden, Massachusetts, whereas the form of this urn matches shape 45 that was published in the 1877 catalog from the A.H. Hews Pottery in North Cambridge, Massachusetts. To my knowledge, this was a limited type of production from this company; the base is inscribed in pencil “5/50.” The painted decoration is early but not original to production. 

Interestingly, though, this is only the second example of this type of production that I have ever seen from the Hews Pottery; the other example was published in a recent article I wrote for Antiques And The Arts Weekly and is privately owned today as part of a prominent private collection in Massachusetts.

According to the Hews Pottery catalog, "It is with pleasure we present this our second Catalogue of Antique Pottery. Although largely a copy of our first, it contains on the last three pages of cuts some twenty-two new patterns, all of which are very attractive. Our patterns are all nearly copies from ancient designs, and are very correct, we have spared no expense to make them the most perfect reproductions offered to the public; and having seen samples from most of the potteries manufacturing Antique Pottery, we can safely say there are none in the market as correct in shape and size as those we are offering.

We present in this addition one hundred and fifty-one different shapes, many of them in several sizes. Twenty patterns are exact copies from Dr. Schliemann's excavations on the supposed site of ancient Troy; they are correct in shape and size, having been taken from photographs of the originals; they will be marked S on the price list, to designate them.

Nos. 99, 118, 121, 124, 125, 126 and 129 are copies from the Cesnola collection, and were discovered by General Louis Palma de Cesnola in ancient tombs in Idalium Cyprus. They were supposed to be Phoenician manufacture, and extend back over a period of fifteen hundred years B.C."

For more about the Hews Pottery - see the research article I wrote for the March 17, 2023 issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly, titled, The Abraham Hews Pottery of Weston & North Cambridge, Mass.: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2023/03/new-published-story-in-antiques-and.html

19th Century Ancient Style Red Earthenware Urn

My Dog Jack with the Urn

See Article for More Information

19th Century Ancient Style Red Earthenware Urn

Attributed to the A.H. Hews Pottery in North Cambridge, Mass.

Form Matches Shape 45 in the 1877 Hews Pottery Catalog

 Recently Found in a House in Malden, Mass.

Circa 1870s

Stands 6 1/2" Tall

The Victorian Style Paint is Not Original

But the Paint is from an Early Owner, Perhaps the Original Owner

See Article for More Information

A View of One of the Handles

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Written on the Base in Pencil, it Reads "5/50"

See Article for More Information

The Hews Pottery Catalog from 1877

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The Form of the Urn Matches Shape 45 Published in the Catalog

See Article for More Information

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

A Good Example of 20th Century Stoneware Made at the Roadside Craftsmen Recently Found in Western New York

This is a recent find! This twentieth century stoneware vase was made at the Roadside Craftsmen in East Bloomfield, New York, and it is a really good example because it is marked on the base in ink with the company’s circular stamp, initialed "G.D." and dated "50" for the year it was made, 1950. There are not a lot of these types of objects known today bearing all of this information. Furthermore, it is also decorated in a type of glaze that closely resembles some glazes produced by some of the utilitarian red earthenware potters who worked in this part of western New York in the 1800s.

The Roadside Craftsmen was opened in the early 1930s by Clarence Wemett (1885-1961) as a place to make and sell novelty items. Homer Bullock (1888-1957) was hired in 1934 as a wood craftsmen. Guy Daugherty (1879-1958) was the potter (but there may have been others) and a weaver and metal worker were also involved with the business.

According to New York archaeologist and museum specialist George Hamell, "There was a southern potter, Guy Daugherty, an itinerant potter from Denton Texas, having started his pottery career in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and later worked in the summer months during the Great Depression and in the early years after World Word II in making pottery in East Bloomfield.”

Daughterty's southern pottery heritage is reflected in the lip treatment on some of the pitchers he made here, although he did produce some larger pitchers and vases, among other forms. He also fired his wares in a groundhog kiln. Interestingly, he perhaps knew of the earlier red earthenware heritage in the Town of Bloomfield - he often used a red-firing clay, and much of his production is covered in a glaze strikingly similar to that found on a lot of the wares made in West Bloomfield around the mid-1800s (as well as some of the wares made in Morganville, New York).

The wares were sometimes stamped "Roadside Craftsmen" and adhesive labels were also sometimes used. He also made larger wares marked "Bloomfield Art Pottery." He even occasionally incised objects with his initials "GD," and the last two digits of the year that the piece was made, such as "48" or "49." The shop closed in 1953.

A Good Example of 20th Century Stoneware Made at the Roadside Craftsmen

20th Century Stoneware Vase Made in East Bloomfield, New York

Made by Guy Daugherty at the Roadside Craftsmen

Recently Found in Western New York

Made in 1950

Stands 8" Tall

See Article for More Information

A View of the Base

The Base is Inscribed "GD" and "50"

It is also Marked with the Roadside Craftsmen Ink Stamp

See Article for More Information

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

An Important Art Pottery Discovery: Signed Stoneware Vase Made in Zanesville, Ohio

I recently learned about this rare object privately through Instagram; this large twentieth century stoneware vase was made by Elmer McFarland (1893-1964), who was the head designer during the most prominent years at the Zanesville Stoneware Company in Ohio, circa 1920s-1950s. Inscribed along one side of the vase in script, it reads, "McFarland," whereas this is only one of a few objects known to exist today bearing this mark. In fact, I am only aware of one other vase in existence today.

Interestingly, it is quite unusual that much (if not all) of the history of ownership of this object is known, where I have included two pictures showing this large vase in use in the front yard and in front of the house by the grandparents of the current family owner. They can recall their family owning this object in New England since at least the 1950s. But it is possible that this object has been owned by this family since it was originally made.

According to the family, "The vase may have been acquired through the family's moving company, which was based in Pawcatuck, Connecticut, located right on the border of Rhode Island. They did lots of moving for people who owned summer homes in Watch Hill, Rhode Island and Stonington, Connecticut, as well as other places, so they vase may have also been acquired this way." 

Additionally, Zanesville Stoneware Company collector Joseph Lyons has been compiling information about the life and career of McFarland, so if anyone reading this has information to share or any other signed objects bearing this mark - please contact him through social media. From my understanding - there is not a lot of information known about McFarland today. Nonetheless, though, this is an important discovery for twentieth century stoneware made in Zanesville, Ohio.

Rare Signed Stoneware Vase Made in Zanesville, Ohio

Large 20th Century Vase Made at the Zanesville Stoneware Company in Ohio

Made by Elmer McFarland (1893-1964)

Circa 1920s-1950s

Has Resided with the Family of the Current Owner Since at Least the 1950s

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private Collector

The Vase is Signed "McFarland"

There are Only a Few Objects Known to Exist with this Mark Today

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private Collector

A View of the Base

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Photo Courtesy: Private Collector

Here is the Vase in Use in the Family's Front Yard in the 1950s

Some Years Geraniums were Planted in the Vase

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private Collector

Here is the Vase Owned by the Family in 1954

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private Collector

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

Two Painted Red Earthenware Jars Seen this Week in Brimfield, Mass.

While walking around the antique fields this week in Brimfield, Massachusetts, I came across these two red earthenware jars that were being sold as German-made, although I believe they are actually American-made, dating from the late eighteenth or nineteenth century. However, what struck me about each jar was the refinement in the way they were produced, very much reminding me of red earthenware made in New England, and especially coastal Massachusetts.

And even though I have not been able to find the original auction result, both of these jars retain auction labels adhered to the base, where they were sold together in the same lot years ago at Sotheby's in New York City. Furthermore, the jars are painted with Asian scenes, writing and figures, which I believe probably dates from the 1800s or early 1900s.

Additionally, the jars also had large matching painted wooden lids, but they were not original, and most likely made to compliment these jars within the last thirty years. Nonetheless, though, these are two objects that could retain an interesting story if their history could be retraced. The dealer was asking $1,200 for the pair.

Two Painted Red Earthenware Jars Seen this Week in Brimfield, Mass.

Late 18th or 19th Century Red Earthenware Jars Possibly from New England

The Exterior Paint Probably Dates from the 1800s or Early 1900s

These Jars were Shown this Week in Brimfield, Mass.

They Originally Sold Through Sotheby's in New York City

See Article for More Information

A View of the Lead Glazed Interiors

See Article for More Information

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