An Excellent Slip-Decorated and Mottled Green Glazed Red Earthenware Jar From Bristol County, Massachusetts

While looking through some of the archives earlier this year from New York City ceramic specialists Garrison and Diana Stradling, I came across these pictures of this wonderful late eighteenth or early nineteenth century slip-decorated red earthenware jar with a mottled green glaze from Bristol County, Massachusetts, circa 1780-1830. This is an incredibly rare object because of the slip decorated flower that adorns both sides, which is typically only seen today from this area on marriage jars and presentation pieces.

Furthermore, this object was published in my fifth book, as part of my pottery book series published by Historic Beverly in Massachusetts, titled, A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod. However, it will also be included in one of the end chapters in my forthcoming New Hampshire book, whereas this is where I explain that a mottled green glaze is not an attributable characteristic to certain areas in New Hampshire, and this is illustrated by showing mottled green glazed red earthenware that was manufactured in many areas in America and Canada.

Nevertheless, this jar was previously owned as part of the Howard Gilman Foundation, which was displayed in the company’s office in Manhattan, alongside the remainder of the Gilman red earthenware collection, as well as decoys and early photography. 

The red earthenware portion of this collection sold through Christie’s in New York City in January 2003 and June 2004. It was a heavily contested sale, where a large selection of great objects were sold in group lots. Many prominent names were also involved with the sale; however, I was rather excited to see these pictures while I was in Manhattan because I have always wondered where this jar ended up.

For more information about the Gilman Collection - here is a link to a story that I posted about it on this website in 2018: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2018/05/the-howard-gilman-foundation-collection.html.

Note: Here is also a link to buy the Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod book: https://historicbeverly.net/product/a-celebrated-industry-the-historic-wares-of-southeastern-massachusetts-bristol-county-and-cape-cod/.

Slip-Decorated and Mottled Green Glazed Red Earthenware Jar

Late 18th or Early 19th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Jar

Attributed to Bristol County, Mass.

Circa 1780-1830

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy Garrison & Diana Stradling

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