An 18th Century Stoneware Jar that is Marked "BOSTON,” Impressed Twice with a Fish and Impressed with Jonathan Fenton’s Cartouche

In a post from yesterday, I wrote, "If you have ever visited the Brooklyn Museum, then you have likely viewed a number of stoneware objects that were gifted by Arthur W. Clement (1878-1952) to the museum. Among the objects that I have always admired from this collection is a late eighteenth century stoneware jug that was made by Jonathan Fenton (1766-1835) at the Lynn Street Pottery in Boston in the 1790s. The jug is marked "BOSTON," and decorated with Fenton's cartouche: https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/1597. 

Fenton's work is also a subject that can be read about in a research article written by Lorraine German for the 2019 issue of Ceramics in America, titled, Eighteenth-Century Boston Stoneware: Appealing to a Local Market: https://chipstone.org/article.php/826/Ceramics-in-America-2019/Eighteenth-Century-Boston-Stoneware:-Appealing-to-a-Local-Market.

Nonetheless, a similar jug to that owned by the Brooklyn Museum showed up at a country auction in New Hampshire a few years ago, which was also made by Fenton. This jug is now part of Adam Weitsman's Collection at the New York State Museum, although what is extraordinary about this object is the fact that it is perhaps the only jug known to exist today that is marked “BOSTON,” impressed with Fenton’s fish and impressed with Fenton’s “JF” cartouche. It was discovered in a group lot by Exeter, New Hampshire antiques dealer Richard Kenney, whereas the jug had previously descended through the Chase family of Kittery Point, Maine."

Interestingly, I learned last night from Keith Collins of Virginia that there is a jar known with this same combination of decoration, although it is adorned with two fish, and sold at Christies in New York City on January 20, 2022 from the collection of Peter and Barbara Goodman for $12,500: https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6356212?ldp_breadcrumb=back. The jar also retained some twentieth century history of ownership in Massachusetts, whereas previous to that it is unknown, but it is possible that this jar did not travel far from its original place of manufacture until recent history.

An 18th Century Stoneware Jar from Boston

Late 18th Century Stoneware Jar

Made by Jonathan Fenton (1766-1835) at the Lynn Street Pottery in Boston

Circa 1793-1796

The Sides are Marked "BOSTON,” Impressed Twice with Fenton’s Fish and Impressed with Fenton’s “JF” Cartouche

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Christies

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