Some Good Red Earthenware that Sold Today at Amelia Jeffers Auction in Ohio

A selection of American red earthenware sold today as part of Day 2 of Amelia Jeffers Americana & Folk Art Auction in Delaware, Ohio, although two objects really stood out to me from the rest of the collection; the first being a good early nineteenth center slip decorated red earthenware jar likely made at the Colonel Nathaniel Rochester Pottery in West Bloomfield, New York. A similar jar is illustrated in a feature story I wrote for 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.

This jar sold today for $850 plus the buyer's premium.

Western New York Red Earthenware Jar

Early 19th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Jar

Likely Made at the Colonel Nathaniel Rochester Pottery in West Blomfield, New York

Circa 1818-1831

Stands 8" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Amelia Jeffers

Nathaniel Rochester's Red Earthenware Pottery

Published in the June 7, 2024 Issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly

See Article for More Information

The other object that I thought was noteworthy was a nineteenth century red earthenware flowerpot possibly made in Warren County, Ohio. This is a relatively rare object to see today, which was also a subject of a feature story that I wrote for the February 28, 2020 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled, A Look At Red Earthenware Made In Mason, Ohio: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2020/03/mason-warren-county-ohio-research-story.html.

Nevertheless, this flowerpot sold for $4,250 plus the buyer's premium.

Furthermore, a very similar possible Warren County flowerpot sold a few years ago at Caza Sikes in Cincinnati for $2,700 plus the buyer's premium: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2022/09/a-warren-ohio-flowerpot-sells-in.html.

Possible Warren County, Ohio Red Earthenware Flowerpot

19th Century Red Earthenware Flowerpot Possibly Made in Warren County, Ohio

Measures 9 1/2" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Amelia Jeffers

A Look At Red Earthenware Made In Mason, Ohio

Published in the February 28, 2020 Issue of Antiques & Auction News

See Article for More Information

Note: One other lot in the sale that I wanted to mention was a late eighteenth or early nineteenth century handled pot made at the William Pecker (1757-1820) Pottery in South Amesbury (Merrimacport), Massachusetts, which previously sold at Christies in Manhattan in 2003; it sold for $850 plus the buyer's premium: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/191507127_redware-pitcher-by-william-pecker-massachusetts.

For the rest of the pottery in today's sale - see the auction catalog: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/350960_day-2-americana-and-folk-art/.

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

A Very Good 19th Century Red Earthenware Mug from New England that Might be Related to an Object Owned by the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.

I first learned about this nineteenth century yellow and spotted green glazed red earthenware mug back in 2013, when it was owned as part of the Earl Curry Collection of southeastern Massachusetts, a local collector who began acquiring these types of objects decades ago. The mug was then acquired by Sheffield, Massachusetts antiques dealer Sam Herrup and sold to Larry Conklin, an authority in the rare mineral trade in New York City, who had relocated to southern Connecticut. 

However, this mug just resurfaced from the Conklin Collection in the last month and it was brokered privately into a very good New England collection. The mug's glaze is one of the best that I have ever encountered on a New England red earthenware mug or a cup. It has been sort of an enigma as to where it was made seeing that there is not another mug like it known with any sort of supporting evidence for a manufacturer, whereas there is some nineteenth century red earthenware made in the Limington and Buxton, Maine area, as well as Vermont, Cheshire County, New Hampshire and Ontario, Canada, etc. that exhibits green dots in the glaze, but nothing to this degree or of this exact color pattern that I can recall.

But after seeing this mug again, I still feel the same way I did back in 2013, when I thought it was related to a handled pot owned as part of the Lura Woodside Watkins (1897-1982) Collection at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. That pot is manufactured with a very similar yellow and spotted green glaze, and it also shares some similarities in production to how this mug was made. Although, the pot is not illustrated or referenced in Watkins' book, Early New England Potters and Their Wares, but the information on file with the Smithsonian states that it was made at the James Chase (1779-1849) Pottery in Merrimacport (South Amesbury), Massachusetts; Chase was the nephew and an employee of the well-known potter William Pecker (1757-1820): https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object/nmah_575169.

Furthermore, it has not been well published until recently, but James' son, Phineas Chase (1820-1911) took over the Merrimacport business, when James died in 1849. This type of production continued with his company into the 1880s. 

Nevertheless, I also included this mug in a feature story I wrote for the October 2014 issue of the New England Antiques Journal, titled, Utilitarian Redware in Massachusetts: The Chase family pottery: https://www.scribd.com/doc/272780103/Chase-Family-Pottery-New-England-Antiques-Journal-October-2014.

For more information - see the fourth installment in my pottery book series, titled, South Amesbury's Red Earthenware & Stoneware: The 1791-1820 William Pecker Pottery; some of the Pecker and Chase production will also be included in my forthcoming New Hampshire book: https://historicbeverly.net/product/south-amesburys-red-earthenware-stoneware-production/.

19th Century Red Earthenware Mug Made in New England

Possibly Made in Merrimacport (South Amesbury), Mass.

Probably Circa 1820-1860

Stands 5 3/4" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

A View of the Handle

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

19th Century Red Earthenware Handled Pot Made in Merrimacport, Mass.

Made at the James Chase Pottery Before 1850

Lura Woodside Watkins Collection

Stands 3 3/4" Tall

Measures 6 1/2" Wide with the Handle

See Article for More Information

Courtesy: National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute

Additional Views of the Pot

The Glaze is Very Similar to the Glaze on the Mug

The Rim is also Very Similar to the Rim on the Mug

This Pot and the Mug were also Made with Similar Ribbed Handles

See Article for More Information

Courtesy: National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute

Here are Both Handles

They Appear to be the Same Style

See Article for More Information

The Top of a Spotted Green Handled Pot Most Likely from Merrimacport, Mass.

Possibly Made at the James Chase Pottery Before 1850

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Pook & Pook

Utilitarian Redware in Massachusetts: The Chase family pottery

Published in the New England Antiques Journal in October 2014

See Article for More Information

Utilitarian Redware in Massachusetts: The Chase family pottery

Published in the New England Antiques Journal in October 2014

See Article for More Information

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

A 19th Century Mottled Green Glazed Red Earthenware Jar from an Estate in Pennsylvania

This was quite a surprise! This large nineteenth century red earthenware jar was included in a group lot I bought a few summers ago from an estate sale in Pennsylvania; I bought the lot for one piece of pottery and put the rest in my cellar. This jar was filthy and appeared black, although curiosity got the best of me earlier this week so I decided to clean the jar. I was completely surprised to find a mottled green glaze hidden beneath all the filth that covered it. 

Furthermore, the easy answer would be to say that this jar was made in Illinois or perhaps even Pennsylvania, however I suspect it may be from Western New York; i.e. Mendon, New York, West Bloomfield, New York, etc.

For example, this shape of jar is associated with some potter's businesses in the Western New York region, whereas this type of glaze has been uncovered in artifacts found on the property that Brigham Young (1801-1877) once occupied in Mendon. This type of glaze is also found on some objects produced at the Colonel Nathaniel Rochester (1752-1831) Pottery in West Bloomfield.

For more information - see a feature story I wrote that was published on pages 138-141 in the April 2022 issue of Maine Antique Digest, titled, Heber C. Kimball: A Mormon Potter from Western New York: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2022/03/latest-published-research-story-heber-c.html.

Also 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.

19th Century Mottled Green Glazed Red Earthenware Jar

19th Century Mottled Green Glazed Red Earthenware Jar

Came from an Estate in Pennsylvania a Few Summers Ago

Stands 10" Tall

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Jar

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Jar

See Article for More Information

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

An Important 19th Century Slip Script Red Earthenware Plate, Inscribed, "Lyme N.H."

Here is an object that I am thrilled to include in my forthcoming eighth book, titled, An Influential Family of Early Potters: The Clarks of New Hampshire and Related Businesses; I noted last week that I leaned about a basically forgotten red earthenware business in Orford, New Hampshire earlier this year that was established in 1816 by Benjamin Clark (1770-1844), son of Captain Peter Clark (1743-1826), which Benjamin's son Jonathan Clark (1800-1879) continued with production into the 1870s. The whereabouts of this business with some kiln remains has also just been identified, whereas this plate was just brought to my attention by a private collector.

This nineteenth century slip script red earthenware plate is inscribed “Lyme N.H.;” Lyme is located along the Connecticut River about seven miles north of Orford. The style of the script on this plate does not seem to match known techniques applied in well-known production centers in the northeast, such as Norwalk, Connecticut, Long Island, West Hartford, Connecticut and even along the Hudson River in places like Poughkeepsie and Troy, New York.

Interestingly, in 1806, a stagecoach route opened from the east, passing from Concord through Lyme to Orford, as the Grafton Turnpike, stimulating travel and trade. This may have been part of the reason that Benjamin Clark originally established the red earthenware business in Orford, whereas the Clarks were known to have produced some slip decorated red earthenware, but nothing like this has ever been associated with their production. Moses Bradley (1765-1826) was also known to have produced some slip decorated red earthenware in Vermont, as well as some other Vermont potters, etc.

For more information - here is a preview to the front and back covers of the book: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/11/a-preview-of-front-and-back-covers-of.html.

19th Century Slip Script Red Earthenware Plate, Inscribed, "Lyme N.H."

19th Century Slip Script Red Earthenware Plate, Inscribed, "Lyme N.H."

Lyme is Located About 7 Miles North of Orford, New Hampshire

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

A View of the Back of the Plate

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

There were Many Stagecoach Routes in New Hampshire

This Map Shows Major Travel Routes and Stagecoach Routes in New Hampshire

The Grafton Turnpike is Included on the Map

The Map was Printed in 1833 in Boston by J.R. Goodno

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: New Hampshire Historical Society

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

A Good 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Recently Found in the Portland, Maine Area

This is a good nineteenth century red earthenware jar that I saw yesterday at an antique show in Hampton, New Hampshire, whereas this jar was recently found in the Portland, Maine area. It is also a type of production that I associate with wares made in North Yarmouth, Maine in the 1800s, which is a community located a few miles to the north of Portland.

For more information about these types of jars and the industry in the Yarmouth and Portland area - see my seventh book, titled, From One Town Came Many: The Red Earthenware Industry of North Yarmouth, Maine: https://historicbeverly.net/product/94597/.

19th C. Red Earthenware Jar Recently Found in the Portland, Maine Area

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Recently Found in the Portland, Maine Area

Likely Made at the Industry in North Yarmouth, Maine

Stands About 10" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Ross Levett

The Base of the Jar is Inscribed with the Number "21"

There were Likely Originally a Lid also Inscribed with this Number

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Ross Levett

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

A Small 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar from Vermont Inscribed on the Base "Mary W. Brewster"

While working on my forthcoming New Hampshire book a few months ago, titled, An Influential Family of Early Potters: The Clarks of New Hampshire and Related Businesses, which will include some information about the Farrar family's red earthenware production in Middlebury, Addison County, Vermont, I decided to try and research the name on this red earthenware jar. This small nineteenth century red earthenware jar is privately owned in Addison County today, however it sold in 2018 at Skinner in Boston, as part of a longtime private collection of Vermont red earthenware, all of which had been acquired in Vermont over a long period of time. The base of this jar is inscribed "Mary W. Brewster."

A genealogy search turned up a woman named Mary Williston Brewster Drake (1805-1864), who was born in Weybridge, Addison County, Vermont in 1805 and died in Addison, Addison County, Vermont in 1864. She married Isaac Drake (1802-1888) in 1830. She was the daughter of William (1765-1831) and Sarah Williston Brewster (1763-1847), who's families routes can be traced back to Connecticut in the eighteenth century. Isaac Drake is listed as a farmer in the 1850 and 1860 United States Federal Censuses in Weybridge, Vermont, although he likely had another source to supplement that income in the colder months.

Furthermore, many of the Brewsters in New England were descendants of William Brewster (c. 1566/67 – 10 April 1644) of the Mayflower and the ruling elder of the Pilgrim church which founded the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts in 1620.

Small 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar from Vermont

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to Addison County, Vermont

Base Inscribed "Mary W. Brewster"

Likely Made Before 1830

Stands 3 1/4" Tall

 See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Skinner

View of the Inscribed Base

Inscribed "Mary W. Brewster"

 See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Skinner

Isaac Drake is Listed as a Farmer in Weybridge, Addison County, Vermont

This is from the 1850 and 1860 United States Federal Censuses

See Article for More Information

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

Two Marbled Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Platters that Sold Today at Meander Auctions in Ohio

There was some restoration, but nonetheless, these two-color marbled slip decorated red earthenware platters from the late eighteenth or nineteenth century sold today at Meander Auctions in Ohio. These objects may have been made in Norwalk, Connecticut, although this type of marbled slip decoration has also been recovered from archaeological contexts on Long Island and elsewhere in New York, where there was also significant red earthenware production. 

The first plate shown below sold for $700 plus the buyer's premium: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/191500298_slip-decorated-redware-loaf-dish

The second plate shown below sold for $750 plus the buyer's premium: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/191500299_slip-decorated-redware-loaf-dish

Note: For more information about some of this type of production - see a story I posted to this website a few weeks ago, titled, A Very Interesting Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Dish that was Previously Owned by John Gordon of New York City: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/11/english-slipware.html.

Two Marbled Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Platters

Late 18th or 19th American Marbled Red Earthenware Platter

Measures 14 1/2" in Length

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Meander Auctions

Late 18th or 19th American Marbled Red Earthenware Platter

Measures 14 1/2" in Length

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Meander Auctions

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

A Signed 19th Century Stoneware Lidded Bowl Made by Andrew Coffman that Sold Yesterday in Virginia

A nineteenth century red earthenware jar attributed to the Vickers family of Pennsylvania sold yesterday at Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates in Mount Crawford, Virginia. These types of jars have been a subject of discussion seeing that they are often inscribed with a number on the base, and this number is sometimes interpreted as a year of manufacture; this particular example is inscribed with the number "1871." I have never been able to determine what these numbers mean, but I know they are not the year of manufacture. Nonetheless, this jar sold for $375 plus the auction premium.

For more information - see a two-page cover story I wrote for the September 2, 2022 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled, The Vickers Family Of Pennsylvania: Abolitionists, Farmers And Quaker Potters - A Short Examination Into A Unique American Ceramics Story: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2022/08/new-published-cover-story-vickers.html.

A Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to the Vickers Family in PA

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar

Made by the Vickers Family in Chester County, PA

Stands 7 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates

A View of the Base

Inscribed on the Base "1871"

This is Not a Date

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates

The Vickers Family Of Pennsylvania: Abolitionists, Farmers And Quaker Potters - A Short Examination Into A Unique American Ceramics Story

September 2, 2022 Issue of Antiques & Auction News

See Article for More Information

However, the highlight of yesterday's sale in regards to pottery was a large nineteenth century cobalt decorated stoneware lidded bowl made by Andrew Coffman (1795-1853) in Rockingham County, Virginia. This is the second significant example of a bowl made by Coffman to sell in the past six months, whereas the previous example also sold at Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates in June for $34,800 including the buyer's premium: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/06/a-rare-19th-century-stoneware-sugar.html.

According to a book written by Jeffrey S. Evans and Scott Hamilton Suter, titled, A Great Deal of Stone & Earthen Ware: "The story of Rockingham County begins with Andrew Coffman, a potter born in New Market, Shenandoah County, Virginia, in 1795. Although not a documented fact, it is likely that Coffman and his brother John learned the craft of pottery production from Jacob and Christian Adam, potters who had relocated to New Market, Virginia from Hagerstown, Maryland, around 1810. Coffman moved into Rockingham County in the 1820s, when he set to work at the pottery of John Zigler in Timberville, a few miles west of New Market. An entrepreneur, but not a potter, Zigler had built a shop and kiln on his riverside property to supplement the earnings of his tannery. Coffman eventually left Timberville, moving to the Swift Run/Beldor area of eastern Rockingham County, at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains."

Furthermore, a significant and previously undocumented cobalt decorated stoneware pitcher sold in January of this year that was inscribed "Zigler & Coffman / Thompsonville," whereas this object was purchased by Jeff Evans for $35,000 plus the buyer's premium: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/01/ends-117-at-630pm-19th-century-cobalt.html.

Nevertheless, this bowl retains its original lid and is inscribed on the base in cobalt with Coffman's initial's "AC;" the bowl sold for $32,500 plus the buyer's premium.

Note: For the rest of the pottery in yesterday's sale - see the auction catalog: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/350792_premier-americana-day-two/.

A Signed Stoneware Lidded Bowl Made by Andrew Coffman

19th Century Cobalt Decorated Stoneware Bowl

Made by Andrew Coffman in Virginia

Measures 11 1/2" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates

Another View of the Bowl

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates

A View of the Lid

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates

The Base is Inscribed in Cobalt with Coffman's Initials "AC"

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates

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

A Significant 19th Century Stoneware Gemel from Worcester, Massachusetts that Sold Today at Cottone Auctions in New York

A significant nineteenth century cobalt decorated stoneware gemel sold today at Cottone Auctions in Geneseo, New York. Both of the conjoined jugs were decorated with two leaves and two parrots, which can be used to attribute the object to the F.B. Norton Pottery in Worcester, Massachusetts, circa 1858-1876. The gemel is also impressed with the name "George P. Flagg." This may be the most significant example of stoneware known from the Norton Pottery in Worcester, whereas I have never seen this form before from Worcester, which is a shape that was produced in southern Connecticut.

For a brief history: Frank B. Norton (1829-1886) established this stoneware business in Worcester about 1858. He came from a family of potters in Bennington, Vermont, and had established a partnership with Frederick Hancock. Norton employed his three sons, his son-in-law, and several journeyman potters. The company's output consisted of stoneware pots, bottles, pitchers, jars, and jugs, as well as garden seats and umbrella stands. However, in 1876 Hancock sold out his interest in the company and the firm was renamed Frank B. Norton. When Frank died in 1886, his sons Myron (1855-1906) and John (1860-1916) operated the business as F.B. Norton Sons until 1894.

Interestingly, the Flagg surname was a popular name in the Worcester area in the nineteenth century; Flagg Street in Worcester is also named after this family, which runs along Pleasant Street and Salisbury Street.

According to the Worcester Public Library, "About 1799, four brothers, Elisha (1780-1853), Enoch (1776-1856), Marshall (1784-1842) and Nahum Flagg (1786-1867) came to Worcester from Weston, Massachusetts and went into the bakery business. The business prospered and the brothers became active in the town. Enoch spent a lot of his time with the military; for instance in 1807 he was the commanding officer of the Worcester Light Infantry.

At a meeting of the military corps on Aug. 4, 1807, when it seemed a war with England was brewing, the Infantry voted: “That in the present exigency of our country, the characters of the citizen and the soldier are inseparable” and that “we are ready, at a moment’s warning, to march wherever the executive authority may direct, in defence of the independence and integrity of our country, in repelling and chastising insult or invasion...”

Enoch moved his way up the military ladder and became a major. Elisha kept his nose to the grindstone, and became a member of the first Board of Overseers of public education.

On Feb. 18, 1815, during a violent snowstorm, a fire broke out on the west side of Main Street. The loss was over $10,000. Among the buildings destroyed were the residences and bake house of Enoch and Elisha Flagg.

Worcester residents subscribed $2,700 and an additional $1,800 was raised for relief of the principal victims. Remembering the disaster, Elisha became a charter member of the Mutual Fire Society, founded on July 11, 1822. He built Flagg’s Block, which contained Flagg Hall, and was used as a theater in its upper stories."

Nonetheless, the George P. Flagg (1820-1864) that is marked on this gemel is related to these four brothers; he is credited with serving in the American Civil War and dying on June 13, 1864, where he is buried today in Riverside Cemetery in Barre, Worcester County, Massachusetts, which is located a few towns to the northwest of Worcester. This Flagg was enlisted in the 25th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and seems to have died from wounds sustained in the Battle of Cold Harbor near Mechanicsville, Virginia that took place from May 31, 1864 to June 12, 1864. 

Interestingly, this Flagg's death record also cites that his occupation was a laborer, although what exactly he did for work is not noted. Flagg married Hannah Winter Flagg in Worcester on January 25, 1843.

Additionally, the gemel is also marked with letters in cobalt "WR," which represents Whiskey and Rum. The gemel sold today for $13,500 plus the buyer's premium to New York collector Adam Weitsman and it will be heading to his collection at the New York State Museum in Albany, New York.

Note: However, I am curious to know when and how this piece of stoneware left the Flagg family of Worcester County, Massachusetts, seeing that it must have been a presentation object. I also suspect that it may have been a memorial object presented to George P. Flagg's family from the F.B. Norton Pottery.

A Significant 19th Century Stoneware Gemel from Worcester, Mass.

19th Century Cobalt Decorated Stoneware Gemel

Attributed to F.B. Norton & Company in Worcester, Mass.

Impressed "George P. Flagg"

Circa 1860s

Stands 9 1/2" Tall and Measures 8 1/2" Wide

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Cottone Auctions

Another View of the Gemel

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Cottone Auctions

George P. Flagg's Death Record

His Profession is Cited as a "Laborer"

He was 44 -Years-Old When He Died

See Article for More Information

George and Hannah Flagg's Marriage Record

They were Married in Worcester, Mass. on January 25, 1843

See Article for More Information

George P. Flagg's Gravestone in Riverside Cemetery in Barre, Mass.

He Died on June 13, 1864

See Article for More Information

19th Century Two-Gallon Cobalt Decorated Stoneware Crock with Make-Do Wooden Lid

Marked F.B. Norton & Company in Worcester, Mass.

Circa 1858-1876

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

A View of the Impressed Maker's Mark

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

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

Announcement Published in the December 2024 Issue of Maine Antique Digest

There is an announcement published in the current December 2024 issue of Maine Antique Digest; I’ve joined into a partnership with Dave Hillier and Antiques Associates At West Townsend in Massachusetts in order to help with the sale of the Ed Stenger Collection of American Stoneware.

For more information - see an article that I posted to this website earlier this month, titled, An Outstanding Private Collection of Stoneware Now Available at Antiques Associates At West Townsend in Massachusetts: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/11/an-outstanding-private-collection-of.html.

Announcement Published in the December 2024 Issue of Maine Antique Digest

Announcement Published in the December 2024 Issue of M.A.D.

See Above for More Information

Announcement Published in the December 2024 Issue of M.A.D.

See Above for More Information

Antiques Associates At West Townsend's Current Ad in M.A.D.

See Above for More Information

This is the December 2024 Issue of Maine Antique Digest

See Above for More Information

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

Some 19th Century Red Earthenware Artifacts Recovered in the Middlebury, Vermont Area

Another subject that will be discussed in a chapter about Vermont red earthenware in my forthcoming New Hampshire book, titled, An Influential Family of Early Potters: The Clarks of New Hampshire and Related Businesses is the red earthenware made by the Farrar family in East Middlebury, Vermont, seeing that the family originally migrated from Southern New Hampshire, and may have trained there as well. 

Red earthenware production began in the East Middlebury area about 1812 when Caleb Farrar (1780-1859) settled in Middlebury. He was born in Ipswich, New Hampshire and was 32 years old when he established the Middlebury business, which he and his son, Edwin William Farrar (1808-1845) ran for so many years.

For reference, Ipswich is located about 15-20 miles south of Lyndeborough and Francistown, New Hampshire, which is where Captain Peter Clark (1743-1826) and his family ran red earthenware potteries from the late 1770s well into the 1800s. Furthermore, Caleb Farrar was still living in Ipswich when he married his wife Sarah Parker Farrar (1783-1863) on March 25, 1804, whereas the Farrars were living in East Middlebury by 1806 since that is where their first child Eveline Farrar (1806-1872) was born.

Nonetheless, some of Edwin William Farrar's best production from about circa 1830 is found in various art museum's today, including Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Bennington Museum in Vermont, the Hood Museum at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and the Vermont Historical Society.

Interestingly, these three artifacts were all recovered in Middlebury, Vermont; the top row shows the remains of a jug; the middle row is a cuspidor or a spittoon; and the bottom row is what I suspect is the base to a two-piece flowerpot or urn.

19th C. Red Earthenware Artifacts Recovered in the Middlebury, VT Area

19th Century Red Earthenware Made by the Farrar Family in Vermont

All Recovered in the Middlebury Area

Top Row: This is the Remains of a Jug

Middle Row: This is a Cuspidor or a Spittoon

Bottom Row: I Suspect This is a Base to a Two-Piece Flowerpot or Urn

Photos Courtesy: Private Collection

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

A Very Good Stoneware Political Bank Made in Philadelphia from the Rex and Patti Stark Collection that Sold Yesterday in Pennsylvania

A very good example of a nineteenth century cobalt decorated stoneware political log cabin bank made at the Thomas Haig Jr. (1811-1893) Pottery in Philadelphia sold yesterday at Hake's Auction in York, Pennsylvania. The base of the bank was dated in cobalt "1846." 

Banks of this type were produced from both stoneware and earthenware at the Haig Pottery, as a reference to the Whig Party, and are considered quite rare today, such as one example that was published in the book, Handcraft to Industry: Philadelphia Ceramics in the First Half of the Nineteenth Century, and was up until recently owned by ceramic specialists Garrison and Diana Stradling in New York City. It was also more recently published in a feature story I wrote for the October 20, 2023 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled, A Look At 19th-Century Red Earthenware & Stoneware Buildings, Houses and Log Cabins: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2023/10/new-published-story-in-antiques-auction_26.html.

Nonetheless, this particular example last sold at Crocker Farm in 2005 for $18,150, where it was consigned by Bill Bertoia, and previously owned as part of the Seamen"s Bank for Savings in New York City, selling at Christies in Manhattan as lot number 153 in 1991.

The Seaman's Sale is regarded as the most prolific selection of banks to ever sell in America; the collection of mechanical and still banks sold on Behalf of the F.D.I.C. (formerly from the Seamen's Bank for Savings F.S.B.) at Christies in New York City on March 13, 1991. The Seamen's Savings Bank served people in the maritime industry, especially seamen; it was founded in 1829 and operated until 1990, when it was seized by the U.S. Government for being insolvent and its assets were sold to Chase Bank. The bank was chartered on May 11, 1829, in New York City, as a mutual savings bank for the benefit of seamen and their families. It was one of the oldest savings banks in the country and the first to be established in New York City. The bank had $2.1 billion in assets and 170,000 depositors at the time of its closure.

Furthermore, this bank was owned most recently as part of the Rex and Patti Stark Collection of Massachusetts, where it sold yesterday for $11,682 including the buyer's premium.

Note: For the rest of the pottery from the Stark Collection in yesterday's sale - see the auction catalog: https://hakes.com/Auction/CategoryItemList/474/Rex-Patti-Stark-Collection?dgv-rowsPerPage=200.

A Very Good Stoneware Political Bank Made in Philadelphia

19th Century Cobalt Decorated Stoneware Log Cabin Political Bank

Made at the Thomas Haig Jr. Pottery in Philadelphia

Circa 1846

Stands 4 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Hake's Auctions

The Base is Dated in Cobalt "1846"

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Hake's Auctions

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