As part of my forthcoming two-volume Western New York books, these three nineteenth century objects will be a subject of a chapter, as I explain that there are a lot of unknowns about red earthenware production in this part of the state, especially in consideration of the large German migration that happened here in the 1800s.
Nonetheless, I was quite surprised to learn about these three slip-decorated red earthenware objects while working on the New York books in June of 2023 at the storage facility of the Rochester Museum & Science Center in Rochester, New York. These objects have not previously been published, cited in publication or displayed at any museum. But they are from the collection of New York archaeologist and museum specialist George Hamell, whereas these objects were acquired by the museum in the 1980s. They all retain some type of local history, and were likely made at the same undocumented business. These objects would also likely be attributed to the Mid-Atlantic region today if they were found in the antiques trade with no documented history or even acquired by a museum without a provenance.
Furthermore, there are also some red earthenware objects decorated with slip decoration privately owned today in Western New York that may be related to these objects, as well. At the least, there are certainly some similarities in the style of the slip, whereas these privately owned pieces are all thought to have been made in the area, perhaps in Erie County, New York.
Note: Among the counties in Western New York that saw significant red earthenware production was Erie County with Buffalo as the centerpiece of the area, which includes documented production in Newstead, Mill Grove, West Seneca, Aurora (East Aurora), Collins and Colden, among certainly others. Additionally, my next feature story will be published in a few weeks in Antiques And The Arts Weekly, and it will highlight some red earthenware production by a potter named "Graham," who worked in both Erie County and Ontario County in New York in the nineteenth century.
19th C. Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Objects Most Likely from WNY
Large 19th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Pitcher
Most Likely Made in Western New York
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Photo Courtesy: Rochester Museum & Science Center
19th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Jar with its Original Lid
Most Likely Made in Western New York
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Photo Courtesy: Rochester Museum & Science Center
19th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Jar
Most Likely Made in Western New York
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Rochester Museum & Science Center
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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