A Very Interesting Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Dish that was Previously Owned by John Gordon of New York City

One of the most fascinating examples of late eighteenth or early nineteenth century American red earthenware that I have seen recently just sold as part of the Dr. Richard J. Wattenmaker Collection at Freeman’s | Hindman in Philadelphia. The dish was previously owned by John Gordon in New York City: https://hindmanauctions.com/auctions/2083-For-the-Love-of-Barnes-The-Collection-of-Dr-Richard-J-Wattenmaker/lot/207.

Interestingly, I noted in a post from a few days ago that the technique of the slip decoration on this smaller sized dish was similar to some British artifacts that were recovered from circa 1670-1785 contexts in New York City and throughout New England: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/11/18th-century-marbled-slip-decorated.html.

However, I had the opportunity to handle this dish a few weeks ago with the current owner, and the manner of the slip is rather different than some of the other marbled slip decorated dishes that are known today from American manufacturers, such as one example that is listed in Crocker Farm's current auction in Sparks, Maryland: https://www.crockerfarm.com/stoneware-auction/2024-11-15/lot-312/Rare-and-Fine-Norwalk-Connecticut-Redware-Loaf-Dish-w-Three-Color-Marbled-Slip-Decoration/.

Upon further investigation, it seems that the potter who made this dish applied the slip in a similar manner as some objects that were produced in the Midlands and to the North of England in the 1700s. I cannot recall having previously seen this type of decoration from an American manufacturer before.

Furthermore, the dish shown below as an example of this type of European production was made about 1760, whereas the center of the dish is marked with the initials "TM" in relief and is thought to represent the potter. This notion of marking the object in this way with initials has also been recovered from an eighteenth century archaeological context in Philadelphia representing local production. 

A Very Interesting Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Dish

18th or Early 19th Century American Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Dish

The Decoration is a Style Produced in Britain in the 1700s (See Below)

Measures 10 7/8" in Diameter

Previously Owned by John Gordon in New York City

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Freeman’s | Hindman

(Right) 18th Century Slip Decorated Earthenware Dish

Made in the Midlands or to the North of England

The Center is Marked with the Initials "TM"

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Colonial Williamsburg

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