Some Red Earthenware Available in Massachusetts, Including Two Good Sgraffito Decorated Plates Made by Jacob Medinger in Montgomery County, PA

This is a good selection of nineteenth and early twentieth century red earthenware that has been consigned to Antiques Associates At West Townsend in Massachusetts. There are a few really good objetcs displayed here, which includes two sgraffito decorated red earthenware plates shown on the top row to the far left. Both of these plates were made by Jacob Medinger (1856-1932) in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Medinger is regarded as the last of the traditional red earthenware potters in Montgomery County, continuing a craft that his father, William Medinger (1823-1888), began in 1872. 

These particular plates are notable examples of Medinger' work, where one plate features a central floral design with six circular pinwheel-like blossoms emerging from a heart-shaped base (shown second from left on the top row). The plate is inscribed with the year "1803," although it was actually produced in the early twentieth century; Medinger often included earlier dates on his work to reflect traditional folk styles or historical subjects

The second plate made by Medinger is shown to the far left on the top row and features a central sgraffito decoration that depicts a flowering basket (or urn) with emerging stems and blossoms

Interestingly, it was around 1980 that antiques dealer Scott Tyson acquired an entire collection in the Philadelphia area from a gentleman who had purchased his items directly from Jacob Medinger in the 1920s and early 1930s. These objects included the original receipts and a letter from Medinger. Some of the prices indicate that Medinger was selling his wares as cheap at $0.40 for a pitcher and $2.50 for a sgraffito decorated plate.

For more information about any of these objects - contact A.A.A.W.T. - https://www.aaawt.com/about/.

Note: For more information about the Medinger family - see the 2025 issue of Americana Insights: https://americanainsights.org/book-release-2025/

Some Red Earthenware Available in Massachusetts

19th and Early 20th Century Red Earthenware Plates from Pennsylvania

Two Plates Top Left on Top Row Made by Jacob Medinger in Montgomery County, PA

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Photo Courtesy: A.A.A.W.T.

These are Original Receipts from Jacob Medinger (1856-1932)

They Date from the 1920s to the Early 1930s

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Photo Courtesy: Scott Tyson

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