A Surprising 19th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Object Owned by the LeRoy, New York Historical Society

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

19th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Jar from Western New York

The Jar Likely Retains Its Original Lid

Possibly Made at the Nathaniel Rochester Pottery in West Bloomfield, New York

Otherwise Likely Made by Another Ontario County Potter

Acquired by the LeRoy, N.Y. Historical Society in the 1940s

There are Six of These Types of Jars Known, All with Completely Different Glazes

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Photo Courtesy: LeRoy, New York 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.

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar from Western New York

Form is Similar to Some Early American Stoneware Jars

Stands 12" Tall

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Additional Views of the Jar

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