A Pair of Matching Late 19th Century Stoneware Figures of a Reclining Dog

Crocker Farm’s Autumn 2023 auction catalog arrived yesterday, and I was surprised to see included in the sale “a late nineteenth century very rare glazed stoneware figure of a reclining spaniel attributed to the Donaghho Company in Parkersburg, West Virginia.” The attribution is based on a stoneware lion that sold at Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland in October 2016 that shares a number of similarities, especially the unusual yellow glaze.

However, the reason I was surprised is because I own a matching example that I purchased as part of a group lot at auction in New England some time ago, although I was never certain of where it was made.  But it did remind me of other objects made in this part of the country, such as some of the molded whippets made by the Bell family in the Shenandoah Valley (see below for an example), as well as somewhat of a less refined nineteenth century stoneware reclining dog doorstop made at the Jane Lew Pottery in West Virginia.

Matching Late 19th Century Stoneware Figures of a Reclining Dog

My Niece Alexis Holding Crocker Farm's Current Autumn 2023 Catalog and the Dog

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Late 19th Century Stoneware Figure of a Reclining Dog

Matches an Example in Crocker Farm's Current Auction in Maryland

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Here is the  Example in Crocker Farm's Current Auction

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Late 19th Century Stoneware Figure of a Reclining Dog

Thought to Have Been Made at the Donaghho Company in Parkersburg, W.V.

See Above for More Information

19th Century Molded Red Earthenware Whippet Made by Solomon Bell in Winchester, VA

These Were Also Made by John Bell and Other Bell Family Members

Base is Inscribed "Solomon Bell / Winchester"

Photo Courtesy: Samuel Herrup Antiques - Sheffield, MA 

 View of the Back

Photo Courtesy: Samuel Herrup Antiques - Sheffield, MA 

View of the Base

Base is Inscribed  Base that Reads, "Solomon Bell / Winchester"

Photo Courtesy: Samuel Herrup Antiques - Sheffield, MA 

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

A 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Seen A Few Winters Ago in Uxbridge, Massachusetts

After a hike two winters ago in central Massachusetts with my niece Alexis, we stopped into an antique and vintage type shop on our ride home in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, known as Bernat Mill Antiques, which is where we saw this nineteenth century red earthenware jar. And even though the lid was not original, the glaze certainly piqued my interest, seeing that I felt the jar may have been made somewhere in New England. 

Furthermore, I had also wondered if the jar may have been made in West Sterling, Massachusetts, circa 1820s-1870 or so, which is about thirty miles north of where this shop was located. Nonetheless, I did not buy the jar, but it is something that I have always remembered.

For more reference information about some of the red earthenware production in central Massachusetts in the 1800s, see a five-page feature story I wrote for the March 2023 issue of Maine Antique Digest, titled, Abner S. Wight's Red Earthenware Production in New Hampshire and Massachusetts: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2023/02/new-published-story-in-maine-antique.html.

A 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Possibly from New England

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Possibly from New England

Seen in the Winter of 2022 in a Shop in Uxbridge, Mass.

Cica 1820s-1870 or so

Stands Approximately 10" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Bernat Mill Antiques

Another View of the Glaze on the Jar

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Photo Courtesy: Bernat Mill Antiques

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

George Ohr Story Published in the April 30, 1896 Issue of The Boston Globe

Published in the April 30, 1896 issue of The Boston Globe is a fascinating story, titled, Good Stories For All, Ohr of Biloxi, the Palissy of Mississippi, where it is written that "...but there is none more interesting than a certain original potter, by name George E. Ohr, and by his own account "a struggling genius hid in the Mississippi saplings."...Mr. Ohr's extended mustache undoubtedly measures two feet from tip to tip...for in general he ties his moustache back around his ears...occasionally among the tiers on tiers of jugs and vases and pitchers which are arranged around the walls of the rude pottery one finds what its maker describes as a freak...the man has the true instinct of an artist."

Nonetheless, this article is a good read!

Note: I will be posting a lengthy article about George Ohr next week after the Kovel Collection sells at Rago Auctions in Lambertville, New Jersey.

George Ohr Story Published in The Boston Globe

George Ohr Story Published in the April 30, 1896 Issue of the Boston Globe

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George Ohr Story Published in the April 30, 1896 Issue of the Boston Globe

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George Ohr Story Published in the April 30, 1896 Issue of the Boston Globe

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George Ohr Story Published in the April 30, 1896 Issue of the Boston Globe

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George Ohr Inside His Pottery Workshop in Biloxi, Mississippi About 1901

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Library of Congress

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

A Good Example of 19th-Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware from WNY and Other Pottery Sells at Roberson's Auctions in Pine Bush, New York

As I have mentioned on this website a number of times in the past, I have a 700-800 page Western New York book coming out in 2024, as part of my pottery book series published by Historic Beverly in Massachusetts. And among the highlights in the book is chapter devoted to the red earthenware manufactured at the Nathaniel Rochester (1752-1831) Pottery in Rochester, New York. This chapter will include extensive archaeological artifacts recovered by archaeologists at the site of the Rochester Pottery, now kept at the Rochester Museum & Science Center. 

Interestingly, though, a good nineteenth century multi-colored slip-decorated red earthenware jar attributed to the Rochester Pottery (although multi-colored slipware was also produced at other potteries in Western New York) sold today at Roberson's Auctions in Pine Bush, New York.

However, the color of the glaze on this jar is really a standout, seeing that it is so bright; these types of jars can also be adorned in darker glazes. Furthermore, the jar did have a few minor issues with some glaze loss and a crack, but nonetheless an excellent jar to own, whereas it sold for $2,900 plus the buyer's premium.

19th-Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Jar from WNY

Likely Made at the Nathaniel Rochester Pottery in Rochester, NY

Circa 1818-1831

Stands 8 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Roberson's Auctions

Another notable object in the sale was an early nineteenth century slip-decorated red earthenware plate that was impressed on the back "J. McCULLY / TRENTON." There is not a lot known about the McCully Pottery's production today in Trenton, New Jersey, but some objects are properly connected to this business, based on this stamp that was intermittently applied in production, where Joseph McCully and his nephew, also Joseph McCully operated a red earthenware pottery from the late eighteenth century until 1852.

There are also some good marked examples of this company's production displayed at such museums as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan and the Newark Museum of Art in Newark, New Jersey. This example sold today for $600 plus the buyer's premium.

19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Plate

Made at the McCully Pottery in Trenton, N.J.

Impressed on the Back "J. McCULLY / TRENTON"

Measures 11 1/2" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Roberson's Auctions

Furthermore, there was also a good circa 1893-1906 molded stoneware pitcher made by George Ohr (1857-1918) in Biloxi, Mississippi. This pitcher was consigned to the auction from a local home, although it was previously owned by James Carpenter, who was originally a small-town barber from Montague, New Jersey, with a side hustle as an antiques dealer — or maybe vice versa.

According to an article published on the television network PBS' website, titled, Who's James Carpenter? The Man Who Bought Ohr's Pottery, "In 1968 Carpenter and his wife had traveled south on a routine hunting expedition for antique cars and auto parts. Along the way, they encountered the Ohrs' Biloxi homestead and auto junkyard business — together with the family's vast inventory of eccentric, and very dusty, pottery, which had remained since Ohr shutdown his pottery business in the early 1900s. The sheer plenitude of Ohr's pottery still in storage there made a massive impression on the couple.

Seeing an opportunity, Carpenter made the Ohrs an offer for the whole lot, and although the Ohr brothers rebuffed his first and a few subsequent offers, they eventually settled on a price (somewhere in the vicinity of $100,000, according to Ohr family oral history). Carpenter personally hauled the cache of some 10,000 pieces of pottery — a motley assortment of masterpieces, knickknacks, and everything between — north to New Jersey, just on the outskirts of New York City.

David Rago, a pottery expert on the Antiques Roadshow and owner of Rago Auctions in Lambertville, New Jersey, as well as a passionate Ohr connoisseur, has known and worked with Carpenter for over 40 years. Rago says Carpenter deserves credit for patiently introducing Ohr's work into Manhattan's burgeoning art-pottery market during the 1970s and 1980s.

According to Rago, Carpenter not only rediscovered Ohr's pottery, he also had the shrewdness and courage to mortgage practically everything he owned to invest in it — "as well as the good fortune to live just an hour outside New York City." From there, he spent a lifetime methodically making good on one savvy gamble." 

Interestingly, this pitcher is not considered the norm for Ohr's production today, where it seems to be imitating English pottery production, and it is marked on both sides "G.E. OHR OF BILOXI." Additionally, there are only so many examples of these types of pitchers known, which are decorated in a magnitude of different glaze patterns, such as a more subtly glazed pitcher that is owned by the Brooklyn Museum in New York City. But there are also other styles of these kind of pitchers known from Ohr today decorated with classical figures in relief, which are thought to have been made about 1895, as well as another type of pitcher known as "Clive in India" with a battle scene. Nevertheless this pitcher sold today for $650 plus the buyer's premium.

Note: Here is also a link to a great article that Rago wrote about his early experience with Ohr's pottery: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/stories/articles/2013/11/18/i-really-hated-ohr/

Circa 1893-1906 Molded Stoneware Pitcher

Made by George Ohr in Biloxi, Mississippi

Marked on Both Sides "G.E. OHR OF BILOXI"

Previously Owned by James Carpenter

Stands 9" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Roberson's Auctions

George Ohr Inside His Pottery Workshop in Biloxi, Mississippi About 1901

This Type of Pitcher is Seen Hanging From the Ceiling

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Library of Congress

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

A Comparison of Two Unusual Formed 19th Century Red Earthenware Vases From Northern New England

With my forthcoming eighth 600-page New Hampshire book nearing completion, and due out later this year or early next year, I thought I would share this unusual late nineteenth century red earthenware vase that I encountered while working on the book from the collection of the New Hampshire Historical Society in Concord, New Hampshire. This vase has no attribution outside of being made in New England, but it is glazed on the interior and unglazed on the exterior, although it was donated to the museum as part of a large collection of objects that were made in New Hampshire in 1933 by Margaret Jewell (1866-1970). She also donated a great selection of New England-made objects to Historic New England, where some of her information was also published in 1950 in Lura Woodside Watkins' (1897-1982) book, Early New England Potters and Their Wares.

However, a good amount of the red earthenware that Jewell gifted to the New Hampshire Historical Society also came with strong provenances that accurately identifies certain pieces to specific locations, businesses and potters in New Hampshire. This information is all defined in detail in my forthcoming book, titled, An Influential Family of Early Potters: The Clarks of New Hampshire and Related Businesses.

Interestingly, though, a few weeks ago, I wrote about a late eighteenth or early nineteenth century red earthenware pitcher from Bristol County, Massachusetts that sold on eBay, although it had just previously sold in a group lot through New England Auctions in Branford, Connecticut. As part of that story, I wrote, "This is certainly a desirable form, seeing that the bottom-half or so of the pitcher is actually the shape of some popular jars that were made in Bristol County, where the potter then turned the jar into a handled pitcher by adding some extra features. This is often a type of production that happened with blown utilitarian glass during this period, where the usual form of a bottle was altered in production to make a pitcher or another form. But it is fascinating to see this with utilitarian pottery in New England."

Furthermore, the vase that is owned by the New Hampshire Historical Society is very similar in form to another vase that I acquired some years ago, which was found along the Mid-Coast of Maine. I also suspect this is a Maine-made object, but what struck me about this form is that the potter used a thickly shaped lid as the base and then it was altered to form a vase on top, similar in shape and size to the vase owned in Concord. 

This vase is also pictured in my latest seventh book, titled, From One Town Came Many: The Red Earthenware Industry of Ancient North Yarmouth, Maine, available here: https://historicbeverly.net/product/94597/.

19th Century Red Earthenware Vases From Northern New England

Late 19th Century Red Earthenware Vase Possibly Made in New Hampshire

Circa 1880-1900

Stands 4.2" Tall

Measures 5.9" in Diameter

Collection of Margaret Jewell

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: New Hampshire Historical Society

19th Century Red Earthenware Vase Probably Made in Maine

Found on the Mid-Coast of Maine

Stands 3 5/8" Tall

Measures 5 7/8" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Vase

See Article for More Information

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

New Published Story in Antiques & Auction News: A Look At 19th-Century Red Earthenware And Stoneware Buildings, Houses And Log Cabins

This is the print version of my latest story published on pages 2 and 8 in the October 20, 2023 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled, A Look At 19th-Century Red Earthenware & Stoneware Buildings, Houses and Log Cabins. This is a subject that has always intrigued me, largely as a result of some of the great related objects that I have seen through the years tucked away in various museum collections and storage facilities across the country.

Link to a PDF of page 2: https://www.scribd.com/document/680071818/ant-002-102023-building-houses-and-log-cabins-page-2

Linkk to  a PDF of page 8: https://www.scribd.com/document/680072098/ant-008-102023-buildings-houses-and-log-cabins-page-8

Additionally, here is a link to the online version of the story: https://antiquesandauctionnews.net/articles/A-Look-At-19th–Century-Red-Earthenware-And-Stoneware-Buildings%2C-Houses-And-Log-Cabins/

New Published Story in Antiques & Auction News

New Published Story in the Oct. 20, 2023 Issue of Antiques & Auction News

A Look At 19th-Century Red Earthenware And Stoneware Buildings, Houses And Log Cabins

See Above for More Information

New Published Story in the Oct. 20, 2023 Issue of Antiques & Auction News

A Look At 19th-Century Red Earthenware And Stoneware Buildings, Houses And Log Cabins

See Above for More Information

New Published Story in the Oct. 20, 2023 Issue of Antiques & Auction News

A Look At 19th-Century Red Earthenware And Stoneware Buildings, Houses And Log Cabins

See Above for More Information

New Published Story in the Oct. 20, 2023 Issue of Antiques & Auction News

A Look At 19th-Century Red Earthenware And Stoneware Buildings, Houses And Log Cabins

See Above for More Information

New Published Story in the Oct. 20, 2023 Issue of Antiques & Auction News

A Look At 19th-Century Red Earthenware And Stoneware Buildings, Houses And Log Cabins

See Above for More Information

New Published Story in the Oct. 20, 2023 Issue of Antiques & Auction News

A Look At 19th-Century Red Earthenware And Stoneware Buildings, Houses And Log Cabins

See Above for More Information

Furthermore, after this article was published, I learned about this small nineteenth century stoneware log cabin that was made by the potter Patrick Synan (1861-1944) in Somerset, Massachusetts in 1909; he made it for his daughter Mary Synan (1903-1998), who brought the log cabin to her school for show and tell. The school was celebrating President Abraham Lincoln’s (1809-1865) 100th birthday. The Synan Brothers stoneware business operated in Somerset from about 1895 to 1912.

Early 20th Century Stoneware Log Cabin Made in Somerset, Mass.

Made by Patrick Synan for His Daughter Mary

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

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

A 19th Century Slip-Script Red Earthenware Charger From Pennsylvania Inscribed "Robert Barkley / 6. mo 25 / 1857"

Since Crocker Farm is about to hold their Fall 2023 auction of American redware and stoneware in Sparks, Maryland, I thought I would revisit one of the notable objects that sold in Crocker Farm's most recent Summer 2023 sale, a very good nineteenth century slip-script red earthenware charger from Pennsylvania. The inscription reads, "Robert Barkley / 6. mo 25 / 1857."

According to the research that Crocker Farm published in the auction catalog, "Census records list multiple people named Robert Barkley or variants of this name living in Pennsylvania during the time period. Some are residents of Lancaster County and one is a Caribbean-born African-American painter living in Philadelphia."

A 19th Century Slip-Script Red Earthenware Charger From PA

19th Century Slip-Script Red Earthenware Plate Attributed to Pennsylvania

The Script Reads "Robert Barkley / 6. mo 25 / 1857"

Measures 14" in Diameter

See Above for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm

A View of the Back of the Plate

See Above for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm

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

"Peabody's Potteries." Published in the August 24, 1893 Issue of The Boston Globe

While recently researching various newspaper archives, I came across this interesting account, titled "Peabody's Potteries." that was published in the August 24, 1893 issue of The Boston Globe. The story cites the various types of clays that were used to produce a variety of shapes in Peabody, as well as the production process, among other subjects. Although, I found how the article began and finished quite interesting, seeing that by the time this story was published that quite a bit of local knowledge was reportedly lost about Peabody's early pottery production (which dates back to at least the 1730s). This kind of shows how quickly history can be forgotten or certain facts about what was once common local knowledge can quickly become lost through time.

The author began the story by writing, "About 50 years ago making pottery in Peabody and Beverly was a very important part of the occupation of the people of these towns. Once there were 16 potteries in Peabody alone. Today one can find but few traces of the work in that vicinity..." The author then ended the story by writing, "...This is what was done in Peabody by many people years ago, but few who live there can tell you anything about the process of making earthenware from Haverhill blue clay and Peabody and Beverly red clay."

Nonetheless, it's a good story and worth the read!

Furthermore, the later potteries that were still operating in this area during the time that this story was written was the Moses Paige Pottery in Peabody and the Charles A. Lawrence Pottery in Beverly, both of which are businesses that I have written books about. For anyone interested, here are links to purchase both of those books: 

The Moses B. Paige Company: The Last of the Peabody Potteries: https://historicbeverly.net/product/the-moses-b-paige-company-the-last-of-the-peabody-potteries/

The Beverly Pottery: The Wares of Charles A. Lawrence: https://historicbeverly.net/product/the-beverly-pottery-the-wares-of-charles-a-lawrence/

"Peabody's Potteries." August 24, 1893 Issue of the Boston Globe

"Peabody's Potteries." 

Published in the August 24, 1893 Issue of the Boston Globe

See Article for More Information

"Peabody's Potteries." 

Published in the August 24, 1893 Issue of the Boston Globe

See Article for More Information

"Peabody's Potteries." 

Published in the August 24, 1893 Issue of the Boston Globe

See Article for More Information

"Peabody's Potteries." 

Published in the August 24, 1893 Issue of the Boston Globe

See Article for More Information

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

Three Outstanding 19th Century Slip-Decorated Objects from Western New York

Here are some more objects that will be illustrated in my forthcoming 700-800 page Western New York book, due out in 2024 from my publisher Historic Beverly in Massachusetts, titled, America's Great Awakening and Migration: The Red Earthenware of Western New York. This will be my ninth book in my pottery book series, whereas my eighth book will be out sometime soon and cover red earthenware production in parts of New Hampshire and related businesses located elsewhere in northern New England.

Nonetheless, these outstanding nineteenth century slip-decorated red earthenware objects are all a part of a recent major private pottery donation to Historic Deerfield in Massachusetts, whereas they represent a style of decoration often attributed to the Nathaniel Rochester (1752-1831) Pottery in Rochester, New York, circa 1818-1831. But slip-decorated red earthenware was also not exclusive to the Rochester Pottery in Western New York.

The top row shows three different sides of the same jar, which are adorned in multiple colors of slip; the bottom row shows two sides of a handle-pot and another jar.

Furthermore, there are some other objects like these known to exist today, including some of which are privately owned in Western New York, although I was also lucky to go through the storage collection at the Rochester Museum & Science Center this past June, where I was fortunate to unwrap some related pieces that had been boxed up and covered in bubblewrap since the early-1980s. Some of these objects had also been previously published in the 1974 museum exhibit catalog, Clay in the Hands of the Potter: An exhibition of pottery manufactured in the Rochester and Genesee Valley Region c. 1793-1900, as well as an article published in 1980 in Volume 9 of Northeast Historical Archaeology that was written by George Hamell, titled, Earthenwares and Salt-Glazed Stonewares of the Rochester-Genesee-Valley Region: An Overview.

19th Century Slip-Decorated Objects from Western New York

Three Outstanding 19th Century Slip-Decorated Objects from Western New York

All Will be Illustrated in my Forthcoming New York Book

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Historic Deerfield

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

A 17th-Century Westerwald, Germany Stoneware Jug Just Discovered in New England Compared to a German Artifact Just Recovered in the Netherlands

Thanks to Long Island researcher and collector Chris Pickerell for tagging me on a post on Facebook, where I just learned about the remains of this small cobalt decorated stoneware jug that was just recovered by Danny Ronda in a seventeenth century context in the Netherlands in Europe. The fragment was made in Westerwald, Germany and is decorated with applied molds of urns with flowers. 

Interestingly, this applied decoration is very similar to a small sized globular cobalt decorated stoneware jug with its original pewter lid made in Westerwald in the 1600s that I just discovered a few days ago in a vintage/thrift type store in Newburyport, Massachusetts. What are the chances of that!?

According to Historic Jamestowne in Virginia, "Manufacture of pottery for local distribution began as early as the 14th century east of the Rhine River in the south-west region of the Westerwald. Major expansion of the industry occurred when potting families from Raeren (in modern Belgium) and from Seigburg relocated chiefly to Höhr, Grenzau, and Grenhausen in the 1580s and 1590s. The move gave potters access to the abundant clay and wood resources in the area, and also helped them escape the political unrest and military conflict that had previously beleaguered them.

The Westerwald stoneware industry flourished in the 17th and 18th centuries.  A significant increase in the number of potters in the second quarter of the 17th century led to the production of new and different forms and types of decoration, making products from the area easily recognizable. In the late 17th century and throughout the 18th century, crowned initials of English monarchs were common on vessels made for British markets. Westerwald stoneware was traded up the Rhine River into the Low Countries, and distributed via Dutch merchants to the British Isles and beyond. The few Westerwald stoneware vessels recovered from James Fort were brought from England with their wealthy owners. Objects of a later date, however, may have been obtained directly from Dutch trading vessels."

Furthermore, here is a link to the story I posted yesterday about the discovery of this jug, where I compare it to an artifact recovered from a seventeenth century archaeological context in Manhattan, as well as an existing object owned by the Victoria & Albert Museum in London: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2023/10/likely-good-example-of-seventeenth.html.

17th Century Remains of a Stoneware Jug Made in Westerwald Germany

Decorated with Applied Molds of Urns with Flowers

Recovered From a 17th Century Context in the Netherlands in Europe

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Danny Ronda

Likely a 17th Century Stoneware Jug Made in Westerwald, Germany

The Pewter Lid is Original

Decorated with Applied Molds of Urns with Flowers

The Applied Decoration is Very Similar to the Jug Recovered in the Netherlands

Found Two Days Ago in a Thrift/Vintage Type Store in New England

Likely Circa 1670-1680

Stands Just 5 1/2" Tall Not Including the Pewter Lid

See Article for More Information

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

Likely A Good Example of Seventeenth Century German Stoneware Found in New England

This was quite a surprise yesterday! I found this early small globular formed stoneware jug with its original pewter lid in a vintage/thrift type store in New England. The jug is covered with applied sprig molds of an urn with flowers that include tulips, whereas it was made in Westerwald, Germany, likely circa 1670-1680. It also survives in excellent condition!

These types of globular jugs can be seen both above and below ground today with a variety of sprig molds, such as this example, although I found a similar type of applied decoration on a jug owned by the Victoria & Albert Museum in London that they say was manufactured during the circa 1640-1660 period.  The form of the museum's jug is quite different, however the applied decoration is similar.

Furthermore, this jug stands just 5 1/2 inches tall, not including the pewter lid; this type of jug (not the exact applied decoration) has also been recovered from various American archaeological contexts, including multiple circa 1600-1775 contexts in New York City. For example, I posted a stoneware sherd below that was found in a 1600s context from the New York City Archaeological Repository that is most likely from a similar type of globular shaped jug recovered in 1981 at 7 Hanover Square in Manhattan.

According to the archaeology of the site, "The deposit (that the sherd was recovered) is a sub-landfill deposit located beneath the 17th-century landfill in the southern portion of Lot 13. These deposits were most likely the result of river bottom silting. According to the site report, it is thought that the area was once marshy, accounting for the build-up of two and a half feet of deposits and their high organic content. By the 17th century, the marsh was probably covered by the river and the cultural materials in it were likely thrown into the river from the shore or from boats and settled into the silt."

Interestingly, it was just about exactly one year ago that I found another example of seventeenth century German stoneware in a similar type of shop located elsewhere in New England - here is a link to that story: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2022/10/an-excellent-example-of-seventeenth.html.

Likely A Good Example of Seventeenth Century German Stoneware

Likely a 17th Century Stoneware Jug Made in Westerwald, Germany

The Pewter Lid is Original

Found Yesterday at a Thrift/Vintage Type Store in New England

Likely Circa 1670-1680

Stands Just 5 1/2" Tall Not Including the Pewter Lid

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Jug

See Article for More Information

A View of the Handle

See Article for More Information

A View of the Lid

See Article for More Information

17th Century Stoneware Jug with Original Pewter Lid Made in Westerwald, Germany

Circa 1640-1660

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Victoria & Albert Museum

17th Century Stoneware Sherd with Applied Molded Decoration

Recovered from a Circa 1600-1775 Archaeological Context in Manhattan

Although this Sherds Dates from the 1600s

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: NYC Archaeological Repository

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

Is There A Connection Between the Decoration on an Absalom Day Dish Displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan and Two Other Dishes with Monograms Impressed on the Back?

In one of the posts on this website from yesterday, titled, Two Late-18th Century Slip-Decorated Plates Made at the Absalom Day Pottery in Norwalk, Connecticut Impressed with Monograms, I wrote that the two plates are impressed on the back with similar, but different monograms. The meaning behind the marks are unknown to me, although both marks include initials inside of a heart, however the shape of the heart on each object seems slightly different. One of the initials reads "AW," whereas the other reads "AWJ" or "ANJ.

Interestingly, I am curious to know if there is a connection between the plates with those marks and this dish that also bears conjoined initials that read "AD," although in this case, the conjoined initials are applied in the slip decoration on front, and represent "Absalom Day."

Furthermore, this dish is displayed in the Americana Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, and it was acquired in 1933 from Emily Johnston (1851-1942) the wife of Robert Weeks De Forest (1848-1931), a former president at the MET.

According to the MET, "The conjoined initials “AD” undoubtedly stand for Absalom Day, founder of the Day Pottery in Norwalk, Connecticut. The pottery specialized in slip-decorated wares, often with names and sayings. The green glaze and feathered letters and border seen here are among Day’s most sophisticated decorations."

Does anyone reading this have any thoughts? Could there be a direct connection between the marks on the two plates and this dish?

Absalom Day Dish Displayed at the Metropolitan Museum

Late 18th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Dish

Attributed to Absalom Day (1770-1843) in Norwalk, CT

Inscribed in the Center in Slip "AD"

Circa 1794-1800

Measures 16 1/2" Long

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Another View of the Dish

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art

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

Two Late-18th Century Slip-Decorated Plates Made at the Absalom Day Pottery in Norwalk, Connecticut Impressed with Monograms

Earlier this year, I posted a story to this website that read, "I have always considered this slip-script red earthenware plate that is inscribed "Day's Pottery" to be the most iconic example of Norwalk, Connecticut red earthenware known to exist today. The plate was made at the Absalom Day (1770-1843) Pottery in Norwalk about 1796. The back is also marked with initials inside of a heart that appear to read "AW."

Furthermore, it has a rather interesting history of ownership over the past forty or so years, whereas a good friend told me that he remembers seeing this plate for sale in the window of an antique shop in New York City in the 1980s. He said the shop was closed and when he came back the plate had been sold to a well-known New York dealer.

This plate was eventually acquired by legendary folk art collector Barry Cohen in New York City, whereas it was then sold by Connecticut antiques dealer David Schorsch to New York City dealers Diana & Garrison Stradling, who then sold it to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. 

Interestingly, this plate may not have been widely known before the 1980s, seeing that I cannot find any record of it having ever been illustrated or referenced in publication. However, while visiting Manhattan last weekend, I saw this original advertisement from the Stradlings - and I thought it was awesome! This is the original draft before it was published in The Magazine Antiques in 1990. I consider this a form of modern artwork today! And this was also the second time it was published, previously having just been published in David Schorsch's catalog of the Barry Cohen Collection.

More recently, this plate was published in Richard Miller's article in the 2016 issue of Ceramics in America, titled, Norwalk (Connecticut) Slip-script Pottery, the Potters, and Related Ware. This plate will also be published in my forthcoming Western New York book, which will also discuss New York City and touch upon some red earthenware production elsewhere in the state." 

Nevertheless, there is probably a circa late-1790s slip-decorated red earthenware plate that is owned by the Staten Island Historical Society in New York, which is attributed to Absalom Day that is impressed with the same mark on the back, however the initials inside the heart appear to read "AWJ" or "ANJ."

I view these marks as being monograms, although the meaning behind them is unknown to me and the shape of the heart on each object seems slightly different; the dictionary definition of a monogram is a motif made by overlapping or combining two or more letters or other graphemes to form one symbol. Monograms are often made by combining the initials of an individual or a company, used as recognizable symbols or logos. A series of uncombined initials is properly referred to as a cypher (e.g. a royal cypher) and is not a monogram.

Does anyone reading this post know the actual meaning behind these marks? And just as important, are there other examples of this type of marked production known today from the Day Pottery?

Note: For more information about red earthenware and stoneware on Staten Island, see a feature story that I wrote for the January 31, 2020 issue Antiques And the Arts Weekly, titled, Early Red Earthenware & Stoneware Found On Staten Island: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2020/01/early-red-earthenware-and-stoneware.html.

Slip-Decorated Plates Made at the Absalom Day Pottery

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Late 18th Century Slip-Script Red Earthenware Plate "Day's Pottery"

Made at the Absalom Day Pottery in Norwalk, Connecticut

Circa 1796

Measures 15 1/2" in Diameter

This is the Original Draft for the Ad that Ran in The Magazine Antiques in 1990

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Diana & Garrison Stradling

The Mark on the Back of the Plate

The Initials Inside the Heart Appear to Read "AW"

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Diana & Garrison Stradling

Late 18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Plate

Attributed to the Absalom Day Pottery in Norwalk, Connecticut

Circa Late-1790s

Measures 15 1/2" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Staten Island Historical Society

The Mark on the Back of the Plate

The Initials Inside the Heart Appear to Read "ANJ"

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Staten Island Historical Society

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