There is going to be a lot of new information published as part of my forthcoming 1,660 page, tenth book, titled, An Early Industry of Household Wares: The Red Earthenware of Salem Village, Danvers, Peabody, Beverly and Salem, Massachusetts: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2026/01/update-on-new-book-book-sent-to.html.
For instance, this object will be a part of the new information published in the book: "...This hand-thrown late nineteenth or early twentieth century red earthenware umbrella stand was discovered in Salem, Massachusetts in 2014. It also retained some type of local history of twentieth century ownership. Its production is similar to some locally produced pottery, such as examples made in Beverly and Chelsea, Massachusetts.
The stand is adorned with an oak leaf and acorn border, as well an eagle perched on a branch, which is a classic American "Federal style" motif, symbolizing strength, freedom, and national pride. Its placement at the top of the design indicates the owner's primary identity as an American citizen.
Additionally, it combines patriotic American imagery with symbols of Irish heritage, which was common among the immigrant populations of New England coastal cities like Salem.
Below the eagle is a shamrock motif (a three-leaf clover), which is a classic symbol of Irish heritage and pride. Historically, it was used by St. Patrick to represent the Holy Trinity. The name “John W. Newman” is also inscribed, as part of a flowering banner or scroll.
The Newman surname was popular throughout Essex County, Massachusetts during this period, although it may have belonged to a John Warren Newman (1842-1917), who lived in Ipswich, Massachusetts. This Newman descended from a prominent family in the area that dates back to Massachusetts in the 1600s. He also served in the Civil War with the 2nd Massachusetts Infantry, which was captained by Robert Gould Shaw (1836-1863). Afterwards, he was a hardware store owner and a painter, and lived with his wife Hannah (1844-1920) and daughter Ada (1883-1912) in a house they built along the Ipswich River in Ipswich about 1880. However, if this umbrella stand was not made for this Newman, then perhaps another man with this name living somewhere else in the Boston area.
Furthermore, the Victorian Era was the "golden age" for the umbrella stand, such as some red earthenware and stoneware examples made in Strasburg, Virginia, Utica, New York, West Hartford, Connecticut, Red Wing, Minnesota and Akron, Ohio, etc.
Nonetheless, as umbrellas transitioned from luxury items to accessible everyday tools for both men and women, specialized furniture was needed to store them in the entryways of large Victorian homes. These stands were often highly ornate, made of cast iron, brass or pottery. The form reached its height of popularity in America during the circa 1880s-1920s period."
Note: For those of you who enjoyed the two-volume Western York book that was published last year, titled, America's Great Awakening and Migration: The Red Earthenware of Western New York - this new book is in a similar format, although it also takes a look at the general Quaker religion in America, other Quaker potters, etc. In fact, I really like how this new book came out! I can not wait to see it published!
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
No comments:
Post a Comment