A 19th Century Red Earthenware Object Found in Essex, Massachusetts that was Previously Attributed to John Bell in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Last week, I wrote about a nineteenth-century red earthenware food mold, which I discovered in an antique shop in downtown Essex, Massachusetts for under $60. Initially, I had felt the mold was probably an unmarked example made by John Bell (1800-1850) in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania during the 1850-1880 period (link to original article); however, knowledgeable feedback from Pennsylvania collector, Jeffrey Herb has suggested that the familiar glaze may indicate another Pennsylvania potter could be responsible, as well.

Apparently, this form is not unique to John Bell, as I had previously indicated. Instead, Willoughby Smith (1839-1905) also produced a similar red earthenware form in Berks County, Pennsylvania. The glaze color seen on the mold that I discovered is also more-commonly found on products produced by Smith. Unfortunately, I am not familiar, with what survives, from this form today, in respect to products that were made by John Bell versus Willoughby Smith; although, if auction results over the past ten-years are an indicator, then the molds made by Smith appear to be rarer today.

In 2011, Pook & Pook Auctions in Downington, Pennyslvania sold the partial lifelong Americana collection of the late-Lester Breininger, who was an important twentieth and twenty-first-century Pennsylvania-German potter. Breininger's collection was composed of mostly eighteenth and nineteenth-century products made in Pennsylvania.

The sale included the only Willoughby Smith red earthenware food molds that I am aware of today, which are very-similar to the object that I discovered in Essex, Massachusetts. Although, I have been told there are additional examples privately owned in Pennsylvania today. The pair sold for $2,200 at the podium, and $2,607 with the buyer's premium.

According to Pook & Pook, "This pair of 19th century redware food molds were made by Willoughby Smith in Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania. They are decorated with a mottled green and orange glaze. Each is impressed 'W. SMITH / WOMELSDORF.'"

Note: The unmarked food mold that I found is decorated with a mottled variegated green and orange glaze.

Food Molds Made by Willoughby Smith, Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania

 19th Century Red Earthenware Food Molds Made by Willoughby Smith - Berks County, PA

Each is Impressed 'W. SMITH / WOMELSDORF'
Circa 1850-1880

Each Stands 4 1/2" Tall

Each Measures 9" in Diameter

Ex-Lester Breininger Collection - Robesonia, PA
Sold for $2,607 in 2011

Photo Courtesy: Pook & Pook - Downington, PA

Food Mold Found in Essex, Massachusetts

19th Century Red Earthenare Food Mold

Possibly Made by Willoughby Smith - Womelsdorf, PA

Form was also Made by John Bell - Waynesboro, PA

Found in an Antique Shop in Essex, Mass.

Circa 1850-1880

Stands 5 1/4" Tall

Measures 8 1/2" in Diameter 

Another View of the Mold

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

Two 19th Century Red Earthenware Objects Discovered Today While Picking in Southern Maine

Quickly, I would like to show two nineteenth-century red earthenware objects that I picked in southern Maine today. Neither object was expensive, either. I assume they are both fresh-to-the-market since they were found in vintage-type shops.

This first object is extremely interesting - believe-it-or-not, the following two pictures are from the same jug. The potter decorated this jug with two different glaze-styles - a dark-green-glaze is seen on one side, while the other side is decorated with a light-brown-glaze speckled with green dots. There is also separation in the glaze. All of these glaze characteristics are styles found on objects properly attributed today to the nineteenth-century potter's industry in North Yarmouth, Maine. I would like to believe that this is where this jug was made; although, it is almost certain that it was made somewhere in southern Maine before 1860.

Note: The jug is not over-fired, either. It was the potter's intention to decorate it this way.

 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Found in Southern Maine Today

Very-Possibly Made in North Yarmouth, ME

The Jug is Decorated with Two-Separate Glaze-Colors

The Dual Glaze is a Characteristic of Red Earthenware Made in North Yarmouth, ME

Circa 1800-1860

Stands 7 1/8" Tall

View of the Other Side of the Jug

I also found this nineteenth-century red earthenware spittoon or cuspidor today, which is decorated with clam shells. Very-similar earthenware spittoons decorated with clam shells were made at the Bennington, Vermont potteries around circa 1850. However, this is a red earthenware product that was probably made in Northern New England or Canada. It is my guess that the objects made in Bennington may have served as inspiration for whomever made this object.

For a comparison: I have shown the red earthenware spittoon, and an earthenware spittoon made in Bennington that Crocker Farm sold in Sparks, Maryland in 2009. The Bennington spittoon is marked, "LYMAN & CO. / 1849." This is how most of the Bennington spittoons appear that are decorated with clam shells. The spittoon that I discovered today appears like it could be a variation or an interpretation of that form.

Red Earthenware Spittoon

 19th Century Red Earthenware Spittoon or Cuspidor Decorated with Clam Shells

Probably Made in Northern New England or Canada

A Similar Earthenware Product was Made in Bennington, VT

Circa 1850

Stands 3 3/8" Tall

Measures 7 1/2" in Diameter

 View of the Interior

View of the Base

Bennington, VT Earthenware Spittoon

19th Century Earthenware Spittoon or Cuspidor Made in Bennington, VT

Marked 'LYMAN & CO. / 1849'

Circa 1849

Stands 2 1/2" Tall

Measures 7 1/2" in Diameter

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD

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

A 19th Century Green-Glazed Example of Red Earthenware Discovered in Essex, Massachusetts that was Likely Made by John Bell in Pennsylvania

Note: The article from March 28, 2016 indicates that this may be a product that was made by another potter, elsewhere in Pennsylvania in the nineteenth-century.

Yesterday afternoon, I drove to Essex, Massachusetts in search of a matching pair of antique cast-iron garden urns with the idea that warmer spring temperatures are fast-approaching. I had hoped to replace an urn that was damaged over the winter, but after carefully contemplating about the situation, I decided to make use of a pair of unused nineteenth-century cast-iron garden urns that sat in my backyard. Nevertheless, the trip was not at a loss, either. Unexpectedly, I came across an example of nineteenth-century green-glazed red earthenware that was likely made by John Bell (1800-1880) in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania during the circa 1850-1880 period. It was discovered in a shop owned by David Neligan, a quality antique dealer located in downtown Essex.

The object was buried in the back of his shop. It rested on an antique couch, below a large impressive collection of seventeenth and eighteenth-century Delftware, and to the right of a small group of sixteenth-century German stoneware.

Honestly, I was surprised to see such an object. It was not expensive, either. It was more-than affordable priced at less than fifty-dollars.

I asked the woman, who was busy running the shop, if she knew where it was found - unfortunately, she said she could not help me with that information. She did say that it was fairly new to the shop. She told me that David Neligan may have found it locally since it did come into the shop with a few late-nineteenth-century Pennsylvania-made red earthenware turk's molds. I noticed those molds after she had already mentioned them (to me); however, those type of molds are fairly common today. Rather, I do not consider the object that I found to be common. I figure that all of these objects were probably acquired together privately from a local home.

David Neligan Antiques - Essex, Mass.

According to an article written for 'Antiques and the Arts Weekly,' 'Bell Family Pottery at the Washington County (Maryland) Museum of Fine Art,' "John Bell was born in Hagerstown, Maryland in 1800. He became one of America's preeminent potters, using glazes and techniques that many scholars believe are unsurpassed in American red earthenware ceramics of the period (John Bell was also a stoneware potter). Although John learned the trade from his father, Peter Bell, he advanced his knowledge by developing innovative recipes for different glazes and learning new techniques.

After apprenticing under his father in Hagerstown, where the concepts of the German eighteenth-century potter were instilled in him, he married in 1826 and relocated to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, where he worked until 1833. It was there, working with the potter, Jacob Heart, that he learned the English ceramic molding techniques that would later become so popular in all of the Bell family pottery wares.

John achieved great status and wealth during his lifetime, earning his bread and butter by producing a line of utilitarian pottery that was an essential part of everyday life. However, John was not intimidated by the stylish ceramic output of the large city potters or the stylish English and European imports. 

Often intimidating the imported wares that were popular with the social elite of the period. John succeeded in inventing and producing glazes that stylistically emulated the popular Rockingham, mocha, Whieldon, spatterware and Bennington wares. In doing so, he was able to provide common households with a necessary ware that was luxurious in appearance but modest in price.

In the 1830's, he became the first American potter to make use of a tin glaze that produced a white surface, creating an appearance similar to stoneware (see article from March 18, 2016 for two rare examples)."

What struck me about the following red earthenware food mold (which I discovered yesterday) is the rare variegated green-glaze. I have seen this exact form stamped with John Bell's post-1850 mark ('JOHN BELL / WAYNESBORO'); however, I have never seen this form decorated with this type of glaze before. I usually see this form with simpler orange or yellow glazes - I have also seen this form with darker sponge or spattered decoration, but this type of variegated green-glaze is a first (for me). Presumably, this must be a rare color for this popular form.

This mold is not marked with Bell's stamp, but the form matches exactly to objects that were stamped by John Bell after 1850. 

For comparison, I have shown below a few matching stamped red earthenware examples, which have sold through Crocker Farm in Sparks Maryland in the past twelve-years.

Essex, Mass. Discovery

19th Century Red Earthenare Food Mold

Attributed to the John Bell Pottery - Waynesboro, PA

Found in an Antique Shop in Essex, Mass.

Stands 5 1/4" Tall

Measures 8 1/2" in Diameter

Another View of the Mold

View of the Interior

View of the Base

Sold at Crocker Farm in 2004

 19th Century Red Earthenware Food Mold 

Made by John Bell - Waynesboro, PA

Stamped 'JOHN BELL / WAYNESBORO'

Circa 1850-1880

Stands 4 1/4" Tall

Measures 8 1/2" in Diameter

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD 

Sold at Crocker Farm in 2015

 19th Century Red Earthenware Food Mold 

Made by John Bell - Waynesboro, PA

Stamped 'JOHN BELL / WAYNESBORO'

Circa 1850-1880

Stands 5 3/8" Tall

Measures 8 3/4" in Diameter

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD 

Another View of the Mold

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD 

Another View of the Mold

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD 

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

The Lewis Scranton Collection of Connecticut-Made Stoneware Which Will Sell Through Skinner on May 21, 2016

Killingworth, Connecticut antiques collector and dealer, Lewis Scranton will sell his lifelong collection of American antiques, this spring, at an old fashioned on-site sale, held on the property of his eighteenth-century home. There are some interior architectural elements that suggest his home may have originally served as a tavern en route to places like New York City, Hartford, Connecticut, New Haven, Connecticut, Providence, Rhode Island and Boston. The property is also bordered by a beautiful state park. Skinner will host the landmark sale on Saturday May 21, 2016 beginning at 10:00 am.

These type of old fashioned on-site sales are exceedingly rare today - especially, sales that include early objects of this quality.  Typically, on-site sales are remembered today through stories told about the 'good ol' days' from the antique industry of decades past. In fact, it is these type of sales, where many of the great collectors acquired some of their most cherished possessions. Lewis Scranton actually keeps a record of every single object that he has ever collected, and those records date back to the early-1960's.

Evidently, he also remembers the importance and the thrill of attending an on-site sale - it is also my belief that this is why he has chosen to sell his collection in this type of an atmosphere. His collection will include museum quality examples of Americana, such as furniture, household accessories, iron, red earthenware and stoneware.

I remember when I first met Lewis Scranton - I was walking through the New Hampshire Antique Dealers Association summer show in Manchester, New Hampshire with my father, when I stopped to look at some of the red earthenware that was for sale in his booth. I ended up buying a piece of William Pecker pottery (circa 1790-1820) made in Merrimacport, Massachusetts - and, another piece of red earthenware made in Peabody, Massachusetts in the early-nineteenth-century. We spoke for a while about red earthenware, and he eventually invited me to his house to see his private collection. The experience of visiting Lewis' collection opened my eyes to the beauty of red earthenware. This was the first private collection that I ever saw - luckily, I have visited many since, but it was Lewis' collection that truly showed me how an accomplished, and educated collection could ultimately appear. I guess it is fair to say that Lewis' collection gave me inspiration for what I do today.

I would also like to note that it has been a longtime since Skinner held an on-site sale, as well. My parents have told me stories about some of the on-site sales that the company held when it was still run by Bob Skinner in the 1970's and the 1980's; however, I can not recall Skinner holding such a sale in recent memory.

Today I would like to showcase the Connecticut portion of Lewis Scranton's stoneware collection. He also owns a terrific collection of select New York City stoneware, but, for now, I want to focus on the Connecticut-made stoneware. Each of these objects are exceedingly rare for their own unique reasons today.

The highlight of the stoneware collection is a small eighteenth-century jar that was made by Abraham Mead (1742-1827) in Greenwich, Connecticut in the late-eighteenth-century. The jar was actually made for a member of the Meade family, and it is dated in cobalt, "1791.'' It also descended through a local Connecticut family until the early-twenty-first-century. The Brooklyn Museum in New York City owns a similar object.

Recently, this jar was given a strong estimate by Crocker Farm at an appraisal event in Connecticut; however, it will be interesting to hear Skinner's interpretation of this object, too.

Late-18th Century Stoneware Jar Made by Abraham Mead - Greenwich, CT

Initialed and Dated 1791 in Cobalt Decoration

Circa 1791

Photo Courtesy: Lewis Scranton - Killingworth, CT

Late-18th Century Stoneware Jar Made by Abraham Mead - Greenwich, CT

Initialed 'HL' and Dated 1791
Circa 1791

Photo Courtesy: Brooklyn Museum - Brooklyn, NY

Another highlight of the stoneware collection, is a graduated set of three circa 1830 New Haven, Connecticut gemels. The definition of a gemel is a pair of conjoined jugs with a single handle. This device allowed an individual to carry two separate liquids in a single object. By today's standards, a gemel is a very-rare form to find, and they are often attributed to New Haven.

The miniature gemel is probably the rarest among the group - it is prominently stamped twice, 'NEW HAVEN.' However, my favorite is probably the largest gemel, which is also stamped twice, 'STEDMAN / SEYMOUR / NEW HAVEN.' The left jug is decorated with an incised bird perched on a branch, and the right jug is decorated with an incised fish. There is probably some speculation, which can develop from this decoration, such as the bird is perched in search of a fish for a meal. 

A similar example is pictured in figure 98 of Lura Woodside Watkins important book published in 1950, 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares,' that object is owned by the New York Historical Society in New York City.

The partnership between Absalom Stedman and Frederick Seymour occurred in the early-1830's in New Haven; however, they likely met when they were both employed in Hartford, Connecticut in the 1820's. Typically, the early-to-mid-1830's is when I would suggest the gemel form was manufactured at any of the New Haven potteries in the nineteenth-century.

Note: The medium sized Gemel is unmarked; although, it also appears to be a New Haven product.

19th Century Stoneware Gemel Made at the Stedman & Seymour Pottery in New Haven, CT

Stamped Twice 'STEDMAN / SEYMOUR / NEW HAVEN'

Decorated with an Incised Bird and an Incised Fish

Circa 1830

 Photo Courtesy: Lewis Scranton - Killingworth, CT

Miniature and Medium Sized 19th Century Stoneware Gemels Made in New Haven, CT

Front: The Miniature Gemel is Stamped Twice 'NEW HAVEN'

Back: The Medium-Sized Gemel is Unmarked

Circa 1830

Photo Courtesy: Lewis Scranton - Killingworth, CT

There will also be a rare stoneware jug available made by the nineteenth-century Hartford, Connecticut potter, Peter Cross (active circa 1805-1818). According to Lura Woodside Watkins book, 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares,' "In 1805, Peter Cross acquired the red earthenware business of John Souter, an English-born potter in Hartford from the late-eighteenth-century. The name Cross does not occur in the land records, and I believe he was not a native of Hartford. Although, he made some excellent stoneware, he was not altogether successful. After a few years he sold his first building around 1808 to Horace Goodwin and Mark C. Webster (Goodwin & Webster) and moved elsewhere in Hartford; but this, too he abandoned at sometime before 1818."

The jug is stamped 'P. CROSS,' and highlighted with cobalt decoration. Watkins notes that Cross does not appear to have been a native of Hartford - and, as-a-result, I would like to suggest that he may have received some training in Manhattan since the incised decoration does somewhat resemble some of the decoration that was employed at some of the New York City stoneware potteries in the late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth-centuries.

Note: Brandt Zipp indicates on Crocker Farm's blog, 'Farenheit 2300,' "The only firm, definitive dates for pieces marked 'P. CROSS / HARTFORD' are January 1, 1806 to about November 1, 1808.'  Brandt also indicates that it is not believed that Peter Cross marked any of his stoneware in 1805. I assume that since this jug is only marked 'P. CROSS' that it could date as-early-as 1806, but it could have been made as-late-as 1818.

Early-19th Century Stoneware Jug Made by Peter Cross - Hartford, CT

The Jug is Marked 'P. CROSS'

Circa 1806-1818

Photo Courtesy: Lewis Scranton - Killingworth, CT

Also according to Lura Woodside Watkins (Early New England Potters and Their Wares), "In Frederic Fairchild Sherman's 1925 book, 'Early Connecticut Artists and Craftsmen,' it is mentioned that J. Duntze is a New Haven, Connecticut potter. He is probably the man who marked a dark-brown red earthenware jar in the Old Sturbridge Village Collection in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, 'John Dunes / keep it for you sake / September first 1835' (Note: Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland sold a similar jar on July 16, 2011).

Mr. George McKearin (important 20th century American glass scholar) has found a cylindrical jar which displays an incised ship with the American flag and the inscription '25000 majority Gnl Jackson,' and the identifying mark, incised on the shoulder, 'A. DUNTZE / NEW HAVEN.' There is no clue to the history of the Duntze family."

Presumably, the Duntze family appears to have produced red earthenware and stoneware after 1830 in New Haven. Unfortunately, (as Watkins indicates) there is not much known about the family's production. It is my interpretation that the Duntze family pottery was likely a short-lived enterprise in Connecticut; although, they also appear to have been skilled artisans in dual fields in the American utilitarian pottery industry.

The following jug is a rare survivor from the Duntze family - it is stamped, 'J. DUNTZE / MANUFACTURER / NEW HAVEN.' It is also decorated with some incised decoration - and, based on the style of this decoration, I am curious to know whether this family had any involvement with the New York City or New Jersey potter's industry in the nineteenth-century.

19th Century 4-Gallon Stoneware Jug Made by John Duntze - New Haven, CT

Circa 1835

Photo Courtesy: Lewis Scranton - Killingworth, CT

Regrettably, I am not familiar with what potter's business is responsible for this next unmarked stoneware jug; however, it is likely a Connecticut-made product. The fact that it is dated in cobalt, '1787,' makes it an incredibly important object for the study of early southern New England-made stoneware. To my knowledge: this could be the earliest dated example of Connecticut-made stoneware known to exist today. Seemingly, there is a chance that this is also a New Haven-made product.

18th Century Stoneware Crock Likely Made in Connecticut

Probably Made in New Haven, CT

Dated in Cobalt, '1787'

Circa 1787

Photo Courtesy: Lewis Scranton - Killingworth, CT

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

A Rare 20th Century Ohio-Made Sewer Tile Railroad Conductor that was First Published in 1973

There was a twentieth-century sewer tile object that interested me when I visited the booth of Camden, Ohio antiques dealer, David Good, last weekend, at the 2016 Connecticut Spring Antiques Show held at the Armory in Hartford, Connecticut. The object was a man's head, which appeared like a baseball player (to me) because of a hat the man wore; however, the object was more-likely, a man, who merely wore a hat. Further research suggests that this man may be related to a similar formed object that was first published in 1973.

David Good told me that he found the object, which he called a "nodder," placed atop a fence post at a country home in Indiana. He said he did not know where the object was definitely made; although, he was confident that it was surely a twentieth-century Midwestern-made product.

What he meant by the word "nodder" is the head acted as a scarecrow when it sat on top of a fence post. The head would move when the wind blew in a similar movement that is seen on a modern bobblehead doll today. Unfortunately, I do not have a photograph, but I assume you can envision how this object appeared on a rural estate in the Midwest. It was entirely hand-modeled similar to many of the American-made sewer tile products that exist today. Surprisingly, there was also no damage, either.

Earlier, this week, I was attempting to research this subject when I came across a similar formed man's head with a hat, which was listed on the website of (Jim & Randi) Williams American Art & Antiques in Nashville, Tennessee. According to their website, "This twentieth-century Ohio sewer pipe object is in the form of a railroad conductor. It was pictured in a book written in 1973 by Jack Adamson, 'Illustrated Handbook of Ohio Sewer Pipe Folk Art."

The manufacture of both of these objects seems to coincide with when Ohio saw a major increase in its railroad system during the early-to-mid-twentieth-century (circa 1900-1940). According to the website, 'Ohio History Central,' "While railroad supporters first appeared in Ohio during the mid-1820's, little construction occurred until the 1840's. As of 1840, railroad companies had constructed only forty-miles of track in the state, although several companies were currently in existence.

Following the American Civil War (after 1865), Ohio experienced tremendous growth in railroad mileage. Larger railroad companies also began to purchase shorter lines in Ohio and connected them together, making a more integrated railroad system. 

By 1900, most of Ohio's smaller railroads now belonged to one of four major railroad companies, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, the Erie Railroad, the Pennsylvania Railroad, or the New York Central Railroad.

By 1910, more than 9,500 miles of railroad track was used in Ohio, up from 8,900 miles just ten-years prior. Railroad companies built most of the new track in northeastern Ohio to help facilitate the major industries in cities like Akron, Canton, Cleveland, and Youngstown.

Railroads dominated Ohio's transportation infrastructure until after World War II, when the trucking industry experienced tremendous growth and took away much of the railroad's business."

Overall, it appears that Ohio's fascination with the railroad boom occurred after 1865; however, its popularity seemed to peak during the 1900-1940 period - and, accordingly, it was during the 1900-1940 period that I believe both of the aforementioned sewer tile railroad conductor figures were produced. Undoubtedly, they were made at one of the many sewer tile companies, which operated in the Midwest during the late-nineteenth and twentieth-centuries. I am also very-doubtful that they were made at the same business.

I should also mention that whimsical objects were a common 'end-of-the-day' theme at sewer tiles factories across America during the late-1800's and the 1900's. These type of objects were produced from Portland, Maine to Pennsylvania and across the Midwestern states.

Curiously, I wonder if the objects of discussion were drawn from real-life subjects or whether they were made up from a sewer tile factory worker's imagination? This is probably an idea that can be debated back-and-forth with no-real proof, either way.

 20th Century Sewer Tile Head of a Railroad Conductor

Circa 1900-1940

Stands 7 1/2" Tall

Pictured in the 1973 Book, 'Illustrated Handbook of Ohio Sewer Pipe Folk Art'

Photo Courtesy: Williams American Art & Antiques - Nashville, TN

Another View of the Conductor's Head

Photo Courtesy: Williams American Art & Antiques - Nashville, TN

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

A Black-Glazed 18th Century Object Acquired at the 2016 Connecticut Spring Antiques Show in Hartford, Connecticut

I acquired a second red earthenware object at the 2016 Connecticut Spring Antiques Show held at the Armory in Hartford, Connecticut last weekend - this object, like yesterday's object, was also produced in Essex County, Massachusetts. Although, central New Hampshire is also a possibility for where yesterday's object may have been produced, as well. Rather, I am confident that today's object is a rare Essex County product.

The following small eighteenth-century black-glazed red earthenware creamer or pitcher was purchased from Preston, Connecticut antiques dealer, Carol Wojtkun, who happened to have been sharing a booth with Portsmouth, New Hampshire antiques dealer, Hollis Brodrick. A red earthenware object from Hollis' private collection is pictured below as a comparative example to the object of discussion.

Carol told me she acquired this small object years ago from Killingworth, Connecticut antiques dealer, Lewis Scranton, who will be selling his lifelong antiques collection through Skinner in May. His collection includes a wonderful selection of red earthenware, and a museum-quality selection of Connecticut and New York City stoneware.

These first few pictures show the small object that I purchased - it is pictured to the left of a black-glazed creamer or small pitcher that I acquired from a friend earlier this year in Maine. Both of these objects are believed to have been made at the Daniel Bayley Pottery Company in Newburyport, Massachusetts, circa 1766-1799.

I have also pictured below many museum objects and privately owned examples that are decorated with slip; however, they are produced in a very-similar form. The majority of these objects are also properly attributed to the Daniel Bayley Pottery Company, with the exception of the slip decorated object that is owned by Old Sturbridge Village, which is attributed to the industry in Charlestown, Massachusetts, circa 1740-1775.

It is revealing when these objects are closely studied since they exhibit matching handles, matches bases, similar black-glazes, similar rims and similar pouring spouts. The Charlestown example slightly differs in form, but it is still worth a comparison since Newburyport and Charlestown are only separated by thirty-five-miles.

I would also like to add that any eighteenth-century New England-made (or, even American-made) red earthenware is exceedingly rare today. Objects are sometimes attributed to the 1700's today; however, a number of those objects are likely products produced in the early-nineteenth-century when production was at a much-higher level. The reason so few eighteenth-century examples survive today is a result of age, and the fact that most of what was produced was destroyed or thrown away years ago. There was also a lot more utilitarian pottery produced in the 1800's versus the 1700's, much of which was the result of the constant growing population, and the expansion of cities and towns across America.

 (Left) Purchased at the Connecticut Spring Antiques Show

(Right) Acquired in Maine Earlier this Year

18th Century Red Earthenware Creamers or Small Pitchers 

Attributed to the Daniel Bayley Pottery Company in Newburyport, Mass.

Circa 1766-1799

Left Stands 2 3/8" Tall

Right Stands 3 3/4" Tall

 View of the Handles

View of the Bases

Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, Mass.
Daniel Bayley Pottery Company, Circa 1766-1799

18th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Creamer or Small Pitcher

Attributed to the Daniel Bayley Pottery Company - Newburyport, Mass.

Circa 1766-1799

Stands Approximately 3" Tall

Lura Woodside Watkins Collection

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, Mass.

Private Connecticut Collection

Daniel Bayley Pottery Company, Circa 1766-1799

  18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Creamer or Small Pitcher

Attributed to the Daniel Bayley Pottery Company in Newburyport, Mass.
Slip Decoration Matches Slip Techniques Recovered in Newburyport in the 1930's

Circa 1766-1799

Stands Approximately 3 1/2" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Private Connecticut Collection

View of the Handle

Photo Courtesy: Private Connecticut Collection

Private New Hampshire Collection

Daniel Bayley Pottery Company, Circa 1766-1799

  18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Creamer or Small Pitcher

Attributed to the Daniel Bayley Pottery Company in Newburyport, Mass.
Slip Decoration Matches Slip Techniques Recovered in Newburyport in the 1930's

Circa 1766-1799

Stands 3 1/2" Tall

Discovered in an Early Farm House in Rochester, NH

Photo Courtesy: Hollis Brodrick - Portsmouth, NH

View of the Handle

Photo Courtesy: Hollis Brodrick - Portsmouth, NH

Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, Mass.

Charlestown, Mass. Red Earthenware, Circa 1740-1775

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Creamer or Small Pitcher

Attributed to the Potter's Industry in Charlestown, Mass.
Slip Decoration Matches Slip Techniques Recovered in Charlestown in the 1980's

Circa 1740-1775

Stands Approximately 3 1/2" Tall
Lura Woodside Watkins Collection

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, Mass.

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

A Wonderful 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar that Sold at Aspire Auctions in Chicago, Illinois in 2005

Quickly, I would like to show this nineteenth-century red earthenware jar that sold at Aspire Auctions in Chicago, Illinois on April 5, 2005. I am not convinced where this product was made, yet; although, the form is reminiscent to products that were made in southeastern Massachusetts in the late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth-centuries. However, the combination of glaze-colors possibly suggests a western New York, or maybe even an Ontario potter, as well.

According to Aspire Auctions, "This large coarse red earthenware jar from New England is glazed with a cinnamon red and trailed yellow slip design. Simple utilitarian pottery from this time and of this style were almost purely utilitarian to meet household needs."

The jar sold for only $178.25 (including the buyer's premium), which is far below its true value if it was, indeed made in New England, western New York or Ontario. In-fact, it is well-below its value if it was made anywhere in America or Canada in the nineteenth-century.

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar

Exhibits New England, Western New York and Ontario Characteristics

Circa 1820-1880

Stands 8 1/2" Tall

Sold for $178.25 in 2005

Aspire Auctions - Pittsburgh, PA, Cincinnati, OH & Chicago, IL 

Another View of the Jar

 Aspire Auctions - Pittsburgh, PA, Cincinnati, OH & Chicago, IL

View of the Rim

 Aspire Auctions - Pittsburgh, PA, Cincinnati, OH & Chicago, IL

View of the Interior

 Aspire Auctions - Pittsburgh, PA, Cincinnati, OH & Chicago, IL

View of the Base

Aspire Auctions - Pittsburgh, PA, Cincinnati, OH & Chicago, IL

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