According to a book written by John J. Demers and Raymond J. Demers, '
Piscataqua Discoveries: Diving and Exploring the Coastal Waterways and Harbors of New Hampshire,' "
Spanish earthenware olive jars are commonly found on shipwrecks in the Mediterranean, but are less common on North American shipwrecks. The style of some of the jars are derived from the Roman Amphora family. Those recovered can be attributed to an Iberian descent in western Europe. The wares, being trade goods, have been found on Dutch, English, French and Spanish wreck sites.
These containers were at times called the five gallon cans of the seventeenth-century. They were commonly used to carry olives, olive oil, honey, wine and, at times, water. Historians claim that coins were sometimes hidden amongst the internal contents so as to prevent them from being pilfered by pirates.
A typical shipwreck site will often contain many different size jars. Their form will also allow them to roll around, until they find a safe spot, generally not too far from the wreck from which they originated."
Yesterday, I attended an onsite estate auction at the Bass-Whitney house in Newburyport, Massachusetts, which was described by Amesbury, Massachusetts auctioneer, John McInnis as an "
original untouched Federal Period home built circa 1807."
John McInnis Auction of the Bass-Whitney House
John McInnis Auction of the Bass-Whitney House in Newburyport, Mass.
John McInnis Auction of the Bass-Whitney House in Newburyport, Mass.
According to a book written in 1912, '
Old Newburyport Houses,' "The land was bought in 1806 by Edward Bass, by then whom the house was then built, remaining in the hands of his son Edward Bass, until 1858. A life interest was then inherited by Thomas H. Whitney, cousin of Mr. Bass, the property passing in 1864 to his son, James E. Whitney and other children (and family members until about 1960)."
Bass-Whitney House - Newburyport, Mass.
Early-20th Century Photo of the Bass-Whitney House
22 Tyng Street - Newburyport, Mass.
Photo Courtesy: 'Old Newburyport Homes'
This property was eventually purchased circa 1960 by the current owner, Frank E. Miller (and his family), where the family also purchased the contents of the home, which had descended in the Bass and Whitney families. But Mr. Miller was also apparently an avid collector of various antiques and collectibles, such as objects that retained a local history, as well as military guns and memorabilia. It appeared (to me) that some/many of the objects in yesterday's auction were directly obtained by the current owner.
Nevertheless, I purchased an eighteenth century red earthenware Iberian storage jar that may be related to a matching form and size, which was recovered from what is believed to be a mid-eighteenth century site in the Piscataqua River in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
I do not think it is unrealistic to believe that a similar object would have found its way into Newburyport by way of the Merrimac River in the 1700s. Portsmouth and Newburyport are also separated by only about twenty-miles.
As-a-result, I would like to be believe that this jar is original to either the Bass or Whitney family's ownership in Newburyport. I have been told that these type of jars were also often re-purposed in the nineteenth century.
Note: This Iberian storage jar has been painted green; although, I plan to leave the green paint even though the paint is not original, but it is still old. Similar formed objects have also been recovered in the coastal areas that surrounded Portsmouth, New Hampshire, as-well-as coastal Massachusetts and coastal Maine.
Spanish Iberian Storage Jar
Huge 18th Century Red Earthenware Spanish Iberian Storage Jar
A Similar Formed Object was Recovered in a Mid-18th Century Context in Portsmouth, NH
Likely Retains a 19th Century History at the Bass-Whitney House in Newburyport, Mass.
Measures 22" in Length
Another View of the Jar
There was also a group of locally produced red earthenware products that sold yesterday, which included decorative and utilitarian objects. Personally, I felt that a small group of Merrimac Pottery Company products were significant since they were likely obtained directly by the Whitney family from the pottery in the early-twentieth century. It is worth nothing that the Merrimac Pottery was located only a few miles away.
There was also a small brightly glazed red earthenware pitcher that was made at the William Pecker Pottery in Merrimacport, Massachusetts, circa 1790-1820; although, I am not convinced that this was a piece of pottery that was ever owned by either the Bass or Whitney families. However, if that is the case, then this piece was still likely obtained locally by Mr. Miller in the twentieth century.
Note: One of the Merrimac objects was actually made during the circa 1897-1901 period, which is when the company was originally known as the 'Merrimac Ceramic Company.' This attribution is possible due to the paper label, which the object still retains.
Merrimac Ceramic/Pottery Company Red Earthenware
Late-19th or Early-20th Century Merrimac Ceramic Company Jar with Brass Oil Lamp Insert
Made in Newburyport, Mass.
Marked with Merrimac Ceramic Company Paper Label
Likely Original to the Whitney Family's Ownership of the House
Circa 1897-1901
Photo Courtesy: John McInnis Auctions - Amesbury, Mass.
Early-20th Century Merrimac Pottery Company Candlestick
Made in Newburyport, Mass.
Stamped with Merrimac Pottery Company Mark
Likely Original to the Whitney Family's Ownership of the House
Circa 1902-1908
Photo Courtesy: John McInnis Auctions - Amesbury, Mass.
Early-20th Century Merrimac Pottery Company Pitcher
Made in Newburyport, Mass.
Stamped with Merrimac Pottery Company Mark
Likely Original to the Whitney Family's Ownership of the House
Circa 1902-1908
Photo Courtesy: John McInnis Auctions - Amesbury, Mass.
Early-20th Century Merrimac Pottery Company Vase
Made in Newburyport, Mass.
Stamped with Merrimac Pottery Company Mark
Likely Original to the Whitney Family's Ownership of the House
Circa 1902-1908
Photo Courtesy: John McInnis Auctions - Amesbury, Mass.
Early-20th Century Merrimac Pottery Company Vases
Made in Newburyport, Mass.
(Left) Unmarked
(Right) Stamped with Merrimac Pottery Company Mark
Likely Original to the Whitney Family's Ownership of the House
Circa 1902-1908
Photo Courtesy: John McInnis Auctions - Amesbury, Mass.
Early-20th Century Merrimac Pottery Company Vase
Made in Newburyport, Mass.
Unmarked
Likely Original to the Whitney Family's Ownership of the House
Circa 1902-1908
Photo Courtesy: John McInnis Auctions - Amesbury, Mass.
William Pecker Red Earthenware
William Pecker Pottery Red Earthenware Pitcher - Merrimacport, Mass.
Circa 1790-1820
Stands 5 3/4" Tall
Photo Courtesy: John McInnis Auctions - Amesbury, Mass.
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
