A variety of nineteenth century red earthenware from Galena, Illinois sold last night at Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland, as part of the firm's Spring 2026 Sale. These objects included arguably the three most desirable forms from Galena: a slip decorated red earthenware "Moon" jug, a red earthenware spaniel, and a slip decorated red earthenware canning jar decorated with a mottled green glaze. This is also a type of red earthenware production that is prized today for its bold, colorful aesthetics.
For a brief history: red earthenware production in Galena is deeply tied to the region’s geology, particularly the abundance of red clay and lead ore in the Upper Mississippi River Valley. In the early 1840s, Galena was the economic center of the "Lead Mine District," where potters established workshops to meet the massive demand for utilitarian containers. Because the city provided easy access to Galena ore (lead sulfide), local potters could cheaply produce the lead-based glazes that give this pottery its often colorful glaze. Interestingly, while most red earthenware production in Illinois began to decline around the Civil War as consumers favored more durable stoneware, the industry in the Galena area remained in business until the late 1800s.
Some of the most remarkable decorations from Galena are the accomplished slip-decorations on top of spotted (or mottled) green glazes, while the forms included wide-mouth wax sealer canning jars, jugs and butter churns. These objects were often decorated with vibrant splashes of slip, as well as mottling in the glaze, which occurred during the firing process.
Nevertheless, the "Moon" jug sold last night for $9,500 plus the buyer's premium, the spaniel sold for $6,500 plus the buyer's premium, and the canning jar sold for $11,000 plus the buyer's premium: https://www.crockerfarm.com/stoneware-auction/2026-04-10/lot-64/Exceptional-Galena-IL-Slip-Decorated-Redware-Canning-Jar-second-half-19th-century/.
Interestingly, while there are probably other examples out there - this is only the second canning jar that I have seen from Galena with this type of glaze; the other example sold at Sotheby's in New York City in January of 2023: https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2023/american-furniture-folk-art-silver-chinese-export-art-and-prints/very-fine-american-glazed-red-earthenware-jar.
Some Great Examples of Red Earthenware from Galena, Illinois
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