F.Y.I. - that stoneware collection that I have written about being sold at Antiques Associates At West Townsend in Massachusetts is now online! See this link: https://www.aaawt.com/promotional/stoneware-collection/
Yesterday I picked up this excellent nineteenth century red earthenware jug decorated with an outstanding tulip in northern New Jersey, however the jug was privately owned for many years in New York City. I believe this is an early example of red earthenware manufactured in Whitewater, Wisconsin in the 1840s or 1850s. The jug stands about fourteen inches tall, and seeing that today is Halloween, the orange color of the jug is also a close match to the color found on an orange pumpkin.
For a brief history: Between 1845 and 1882, the city of Whitewater was home to five potteries operated by both German immigrants and settlers from New England and New York. The Whitewater potteries supplied settlers in the region with a wide variety of utilitarian forms, whereas by about 1867, the Whitewater potteries transitioned from the production of glazed utilitarian wares to flowerpots and vases.
I think this is a really good example, where the decoration really demonstrates the German heritage that was found in this area in the 1800s; in fact, I cannot find an identical example in the collections of either the Wisconsin Historical Society or the Whitewater Historical Society.
A good amount of the production this area was also manufactured with a white earthenware clay, while this jug is made out of red earthenware, perhaps also suggesting early production.
Furthermore, another characteristic about this object that I thought was worth noting is how it shares some similarities with a well-published nineteenth century red earthenware jug made by Lorenzo Johnson in Newstead, Erie County, New York. Johnson's jug was produced trying to resemble stoneware production, which is also how this jug that I just acquired also appears; both jugs are decorated with similar tulips.
I also want to add that this jug was very dirty, and perhaps the person who previously owned it may have been a smoker in New York City; however, it really cleaned up quite nice (see photos below)!
Note: For more information about production in Whitewater - see an article posted to the Whitewater Historical Society's website, titled, Whitewater Pottery: https://www.whitewaterhistoricalsociety.org/post/whitewater-pottery; also see the website madefromclay.org: https://madefromclay.org/whitewater-potteries/.
Very Good Example of 19th Century Red Earthenware Made in Wisconsin
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
This is a really good small nineteenth century red earthenware jug that I picked up earlier this month, which just sold as part of the Dr. Richard J. Wattenmaker Collection at Freeman’s | Hindman in Philadelphia; the jug is decorated with a really wonderful glaze of alternating brown-colored sponge decorated lines and dots, as well as a circular green glaze around the base and a dotted green glaze. I have never seen anything like it before; the manufacturer could have been located in either the Mid-Atlantic region or the American Northeast, likely before 1850. The jug stands just under six inches tall.
Furthermore, I showed this jug to a few knowledgable friends recently, and they remembered seeing it briefly on the national antiques show circuit decades ago, which I assume is how it was acquired by this collector. But they could not recall which dealer sold the jug, although the feeling is that it is possibly from New England, even though nobody who I spoke with has seen anything like it before.
However, this was a really good red earthenware collection that sold in Philadelphia last month, which included a number of very good objects, including an excellent early nineteenth century sgraffito decorated red earthenware plate: https://hindmanauctions.com/auctions/2083-For-the-Love-of-Barnes-The-Collection-of-Dr-Richard-J-Wattenmaker/lot/192.
That sgraffito decorated plate was reportedly made by John Leidy (1753-1818) in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, where another sgraffito decorated red earthenware plate with some similarities is owned as part of the collection of the Reading, Pennsylvania Public Museum, which is also attributed to Leidy. The museum acquired their plate in 1939, as a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Edwin A. Quiet. But there were multiple potters named John Leidy producing similar types of sgraffito and slip decorated red earthenware in southeastern Pennsylvania in the late eighteenth and nineteenth century; production from these potters is found in such art museums as the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Note: I also want to add that a three-gallon nineteenth century stoneware crock decorated with a folky fish that was made in Ohio sold in this collection in Philadelphia for just under $5,000, including the buyer's premium; if anyone is looking for an example of what I feel is a more attractive decorated fish from the same manufacturer, then there is one currently for sale at Antiques Associates At West Townsend in Massachusetts, contact them for more information: https://hindmanauctions.com/auctions/2083-For-the-Love-of-Barnes-The-Collection-of-Dr-Richard-J-Wattenmaker/lot/82.
An Outstanding 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug
Here are links to some of the other highlights in the sale:
1) Nineteenth century red earthenware butter stamp; sold for $700 plus the buyer's premium: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/187656723_19c-redware-butter-stamp
2) Nineteenth century red earthenware flowerpot from northern New England or New York, perhaps Maine; sold for $325 plus the buyer's premium: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/188359294_redware-flower-pot-with-salmon-glaze
3) Nineteenth century red earthenware jug likely from northern New England; sold for $550 plus the buyer's premium: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/188359996_handled-redware-ovoid-jug
4) Nineteenth century red earthenware pitcher from Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, marked "Carey & Company; sold for $325 plus the buyer's premium: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/188486240_handled-redware-pitcher-signed-carey-and-co
5) Two Nineteenth century slip decorated red earthenware bowls, one is likely European while the other is likely from the Shenandoah Valley; sold for $600 plus the buyer's premium: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/188577358_lot-of-two-slip-glazed-redware-milk-pans
6) Early nineteenth century red earthenware pitcher made in South Amesbury (Merrimacport), Massachusetts; sold for $650 plus the buyer's premium: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/188620561_redware-pitcher-with-manganese-decoration-attributed-to-william-pecker-from-merrimacport-ma
7) Nineteenth century American red earthenware ring flask; sold for $500 plus the buyer's premium: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/188709793_redware-ring-flask
8) Nineteenth century red earthenware jug from the John Corliss Pottery in Days Ferry, Woolwich, Maine; sold for $100 plus the buyer's premium: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/188877467_redware-jug
9) Eighteenth or nineteenth century red earthenware mug from South Danvers (Peabody), Massachusetts; sold for $160 plus the buyer's premium: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/188877722_redware-mug
For the rest of the pottery in the sale - see the auction catalog: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/344017_the-collection-of-charlie-huntress/
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
While visiting Bennington, Vermont last month for the Stoneware Collector's Group pottery sale, I happened to see this early twentieth century salt-glazed stoneware vase with some cobalt highlights and a brown glazed interior; it was brought to the show by Robesonia, Pennsylvania antiques dealer Greg Kramer, although it previously sold at Pook & Pook in Downington, Pennsylvania on June 26, 2024: https://live.pookandpook.com/online-auctions/pook/arts-and-crafts-stoneware-vase-signed-e-warwick-6358840.
There were two characteristics about this vase that really spoke to me: one being that the shape reminded me of ancient styles, as well as some vases made at the William Grueby Pottery in Boston in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century; and second the vase was inscribed on the base "E. Warwick / Jan 1910," along with the number "322."
Additionally, I have previously written about some of the early salt-glazed stoneware potters on this website to manufacture art pottery, such as Susan S. Frackelton (1848-1932) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, along with a feature story I wrote published on pages 50-51 in the February 9, 2024 issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly, titled, The Salt-Glazed Stoneware Made By Russell Crook, South Lincoln, Mass. But this is the first time that I have seen a salt-glazed stoneware vase marked with the name of "E Warwick."
Salt-Glazed Stoneware Vase Inscribed "E. Warwick / Jan 1910"
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This striking four-gallon nineteenth century cobalt decorated stoneware cooler recently sold at Brzostek’s Auction Service, Inc. in Baldwinsville, New York; the cooler was consigned from the personal collection of auctioneer Bernard J. Brzostek. The object is unmarked, although the decoration certainly speaks to the talent of the decorator, being skillfully adorned with a detailed scene, including what appears to be two flowers, vines and a perched bird.
Furthermore, I had some conversations about this object with a few people two weeks ago, and among the possible names that was suggested for a manufacturer was William H. Farrar (1812-1876) & Company near Syracuse in Geddes, Onondaga County, New York. Farrar worked at this location from the 1840s to the early 1870s, whereas he seems to have been the pioneer potter in Geddes, which was absorbed by Syracuse in 1886. According to the 1855 United States Federal Census, Farrar is cited as owning a stoneware pottery business and employing six workers.
The most prominent example of Farrar's production from Geddes is unquestionably a seven-gallon water cooler made in 1846 that depicts the celebration of the Great National Jubilee of the Order of the Sons of Temperance, an organization founded in New York City in 1842, which is now owned as part of Adam Weitsman's Collection at the New York State Museum in Albany, New York.
Nonetheless, Cottone Auctions in Buffalo, New York sold a nineteenth century five-gallon stoneware crock in 2011 decorated with similar flowers in cobalt, although there are differences, as well. This crock was marked with Farrar's company stamp, selling for $8,500 including the buyer's premium; a related three-gallon jug is currently for sale with Antiques Associates At West Townsend in Massachusetts.
But regardless of the manufacturer, this really is a great object that sold for $7,000 plus the buyer's premium.
Note: For reference, the Farrar family's stoneware production began in Fairfax, Vermont before expanding to Geddes and St. John's, Quebec, Canada.
A Striking Cobalt Decorated 4-Gallon 19th Century Stoneware Cooler
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My latest feature story is published on pages 7-8 in the current November 1, 2024 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled, The Wingender Family Pottery Of Haddonfield, N.J.
Here is a link to a PDF of page 7: https://www.scribd.com/document/784175235/ant-007-110124-Wingender-page-7
Here is a link to a PDF of page 8: https://www.scribd.com/document/784175557/ant-008-110124-Wingender-page-8
Note: There are additional pictures included in the online version of the story.
New Published Feature Story in Antiques & Auction News
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Just a F.Y.I - this is the collection of stoneware that I have recently cited on this website that will be for sale at Antiques Associates At West Townsend in Massachusetts. Contact them for more information.
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
This is an eighteenth or early nineteenth century cobalt decorated stoneware miniature barrel or keg that I saw last month while visiting the Stoneware Collector's Group pottery sale in Bennington, Vermont. I thought it was a really good object measuring under three inches in length. It retains some twentieth century history of ownership in Wilmington, Delaware; it may have been deaccessioned from a museum in the last few years, although I do no have proof of that.
Furthermore, I tried doing some research, hoping to find a comparable object or an archaeological artifact decorated with a similar style of cobalt, but my brief search was not successful. But the style of the decoration does seem to be distinctive.
However, I did speak with some friends at the stoneware event about this object and the feeling was that it was early; I do not know where exactly this object was made, but I was curious if anyone reading this post recognizes it as being from either New Jersey or New York. It seems to be one of those objects, where if the location of manufacture or even the maker was identified, then you can gain a better understanding of its significance.
18th or Early 19th Century Cobalt Decorated Stoneware Barrel or Keg
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A very good example of nineteenth century red earthenware made in either Berlin or Whitewater, Wisconsin sold yesterday at Nye & Company in Bloomfield, New Jersey. The large jug sold in a group lot combined with various types of red earthenware and stoneware, which had been consigned from a private collection in New York City.
For a brief history about this type of pottery: the most prominent years of production in Berlin took place during the circa 1855-1865 period, while between 1845 and 1882, the city of Whitewater was home to five potteries, which were operated by both German immigrants and settlers from New England and New York. The Whitewater potteries supplied settlers in the region with a wide variety of utilitarian forms. And by about 1867, the Whitewater potteries transitioned from the production of glazed utilitarian wares to flowerpots and vases
Nonetheless, I felt the combination of the shape of the jug along with the tulip decoration really made this a wonderful object; the lot sold very reasonably for just $325 plus the buyer's premium.
Note: For another good example of an earthenware jug made in Wisconsin - see one that is currently for sale with Olde Hope Antiques in New York City: https://oldehope.com/antique-glazed-earthenware-jug/.
Very Good Example of 19th Century Red Earthenware from Wisconsin
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A very interesting nineteenth century slip-script red earthenware dish sold earlier today at Keystone Auction in York, Pennsylvania, whereas the script in the center of the dish reads, "Canton," which I suspect could represent Canton, Connecticut. The dish sold in a group lot combined with three pieces of nineteenth century European ceramics. Although, even though there were condition concerns, I thought the possible historical significance of the dish potentially to some degree outweighed those concerns.
The manner of the slip along the border of the dish combined with the fact that the object appears to have been hand-thrown, as opposed to drape molded, suggested to me that it may have been made by Hervey Books (1779-1873) in Goshen, Connecticut; Canton is located about twenty miles west of Goshen.
According to the Connecticut Historical Society, "Hervey Brooks was an American potter and farmer who made red earthenware in Goshen for more than one half century. His production provided domestic wares for an isolated countryside and contributed to an informal system of sales, barter and trade that characterized the rural economy of the period. While few records of this trade exist, Brooks left behind extensive documentation of his business transactions and daily responsibilities that provide historians a unique look at the life of a nineteenth century farmer-potter.
The life of a farmer-potter meant that Brooks did not have the luxury of spending all his time perfecting his craft. In fact, from 1828 until 1864 Brooks only fired his kiln one day per year because life on the farm also involved sawing lumber, blacksmithing, carpentry, and a host of other responsibilities that kept him from his pottery.
When Brooks passed away in 1873, he left behind account books and day books. He also left a largely intact manufacturing facility that provided archaeologists with new insight into the tools, materials and processes that went into his production of red earthenware."
Nonetheless, the lot sold for $50 plus the buyer's premium; Does anyone reading this post recognize this dish as being from another manufacturer?
For more information about Hervey Brooks - see my sixth book, titled, A City on the River: The Early Red Earthenware of the Hartford, Connecticut Area: https://historicbeverly.net/product/a-city-on-the-river-the-early-red-earthenware-of-the-hartford-connecticut-area/.
A few days ago, I posted a story to this website about a slip decorated red earthenware pot that was recovered from a fascinating context in Ohio, where I wrote, "There have been many suprises that I have come across while researching and writing the two-volume Western New York book that I am currently working on, titled America's Great Awakening and Migration: The Red Earthenware of Western New York."
In fact, I recently learned about this significant nineteenth century slip decorated lidded red earthenware jar from the collection of the LeRoy, New York Historical Society; the jar was acquired by the museum in the early 1940s. The jar seems to retain its original lid, and was possibly made at the Colonel Nathaniel Rochester (1752-1831) Pottery in West Bloomfield, New York, circa 1818-1831, otherwise it was made by another local potter in Ontario County.
To my knowledge, this is the only lid that exists today for these types of jars! Furthermore, I have only been able to document six of these types of jars, all of which are adorned in completely different glazes, but I had never even considered the idea of a lid until I saw this jar.
For more information about Nathaniel Rochester's pottery business - see a feature story I wrote published on pages 42-43 in the June 7, 2024 issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly, titled, Nathaniel Rochester's Red Earthenware Pottery: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/05/new-published-feature-story-in-antiques.html.
Red Earthenware Jar with Lid Owned by the LeRoy Historical Society
Note: Interestingly, this is a large nineteenth century red earthenware jar from Western New York that I picked up a few weeks ago, while visiting southeastern Pennsylvania. The characteristic that really stands out to me about this jar is the two different glaze colors that were used, perhaps trying to imitate early stoneware production, whereas the form is also similar to some early stoneware jars. This idea of stoneware imitation, as well as copying the decoration found on some types of imported pottery are also techniques known from the Western New York region in the nineteenth century.
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
Illustrated more than 100 years ago in an article written by Henry R. Armstrong that was published in The Magazine Antiques in 1923, titled, The Norwich Pottery Works, was this stoneware water cooler that was owned at the time of the story by the author; it was described in the article: "I am the fortunate possessor of a handsome stoneware water cooler manufactured in probably the early days of the concern. It is light gray in color, one and one-half feet in height, thirteen inches in diameter at the top and ten inches across the bottom, with the words, "The Norwich Pottery Works," printed across the face, in blue. The American eagle which decorates the front, and the leaves adorning the handles are raised about a quarter of an inch from the surface."
However, the whereabouts of this stoneware cooler does not seem to be known today, but I suspect that Henry Armstrong may have been a descendant of Peleg Armstrong (1785-1859), who along with Erastus Wentworth founded the Armstrong and Wentworth Pottery of Norwich, Connecticut; the partners purchased the Norwich pottery business off William Cleaveland in 1814. This business operated during the circa 1814-1834 period. Their factory complex was eventually located on both sides of the Yantic River. They continued to make attractive salt-glazed stoneware jars and jugs until the company closed in 1834, although there was stoneware production in Norwich that occurred before and after the existence of this company.
With all of this said - does anyone reading this post know the location of this stoneware cooler today? It is certainly a significant example of pottery from Connecticut that could be displayed at any major art museum in America. The cooler may still reside in the ownership of Henry Armstrong's family, but that is merely speculation of my behalf.
Note: For more information about pottery production in Norwich - see my sixth book, titled, A City on the River: The Early Red Earthenware of the Hartford, Connecticut Area: https://historicbeverly.net/product/a-city-on-the-river-the-early-red-earthenware-of-the-hartford-connecticut-area/.
Stoneware Water Cooler Made in Norwich, Connecticut
Among the significant collections at the Yale University Art Gallery in New Haven, Connecticut are the Garvan and Montgomery collections. In 1930, Francis P. Garvan (1875-1937) donated his renowned collection of American decorative arts to Yale in honor of his wife, Mabel Brady Garvan (1886-1979); Charles F. Montgomery (1910-1978) was a leading authority on American decorative art and a professor of art history at Yale, whereas he and his wife's Americana collection was donated to Yale in the 1970s.
These collections include a great large eighteenth or early nineteenth century slip decorated red earthenware pitcher from the Garvin Collection; in fact, this is one of the best slip decorated pitchers I have ever seen from any American manufacturer. The museum describes the pitcher as being made about 1830 and standing eleven inches tall.
Additionally, the Montgomery Collection includes an eighteenth century stoneware jar completely surrounded by an incised leafy (some sort of vine) design, which is highlight with cobalt and a green glaze (is it actually green?); the clay color is also a pinkish color based on the photo uploaded to the Yale University Art Gallery's website (see photos below). According to the information on file with the museum, the Montgomerys purchased the jar from a dealer in Wallingford, Connecticut about 1940, who had previously found it in Cheshire, Connecticut, although the jar is thought to have been made in New York City, circa 1755-1800. Furthermore, Crocker Farm has what appears to be a related jar that will be available as part of the firm's upcoming auction next month in Sparks, Maryland.
Interestingly, another object owned as part of the Garvan Collection is a nineteenth century slip decorated red earthenware jar likely made at the Nathaniel Rochester Pottery in West Bloomfield, New York, circa 1818-1831. The only other jar that I have seen like it is one that sold as part of the Skinner Collection on Cape Cod in November of 2023; that jar also retained a history of ownership in nearby Rochester, New York: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/01/a-very-good-slip-decorated-red.html.
A Great Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Pitcher and a Stoneware Jar
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