An Important Red Earthenware Jar that has Ties to an Object and Sherds from Essex County, Massachusetts

A few months ago, I discovered a wonderful eighteenth-century slip-decorated red earthenware jar at the 'New England Motel and Antiques Market Show' in Brimfield, Massachusetts. I was told by the dealer that the jar was recently discovered in an early house in Danbury, Connecticut.

This jar is likely related to a jar that was donated by renowned New Hampshire antiques dealer, Roger Bacon in 1975 to Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. But that jar was also published in 1991 when Cape Cod, Massachusetts antique dealer, Brian Cullity published 'Slipped and Glazed: Regional American Redware.'

In a previous article (link), I had speculated that both of these objects may have been made at the Daniel Bayley Pottery Company in Newburyport, Massachusetts, circa 1764-1799. But I also felt that they could have been made elsewhere in Essex County, Massachusetts before 1800, such as the potter's industry in Peabody, Massachusetts.

I was also excited to recently learn that the slip-decoration, which was used to decorate the jar that I found in Brimfield appears to be related to an eighteenth century Essex County red earthenware dish that Roger Bacon donated in the 1960's to Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.

The slip-decoration found on the dish that was donated by Roger Bacon also appears to be directly related to a small group of sherds, which I have recovered on the Bass River in Danversport, Massachusetts. Personally, I have always believed that these sherds were likely made in either Danvers, Massachusetts or Peabody, Massachusetts. There were a number of potter's businesses that operated in the Danvers and Peabody-area, which produced a variety of red earthenware, including objects decorated with slip in the 1700's.

Note: Here is a link to an article that discusses an eighteenth-century slip-decorated pan, which I also believe is related to these Essex County, Massachusetts products.

Slip-Decorated Jar Found in Brimfield, Massachusetts

18th Century Slip-Decorated Dish

Likely Made in Essex County, Massachusetts

Recently Discovered by a Dealer in an Early House in Danbury, Connecticut

Found in Brimfield, Massachusetts

Circa 1770-1810

Stands 11 1/8" Tall

Slip-Decorated Dish Owned by Old Sturbridge Village

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Dish

Attributed to Essex County, Massachusetts

A Matching Slip-Decoration Has Been Found on Sherds Recovered in Danversport, Mass.

Circa 1770-1810

Donated by Roger Bacon to Old Sturbridge Village

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, Mass.

Slip-Decorated Sherds Recovered in Danversport, Mass.

 Slip-Decorated Sherd Recovered in Danversport, Mass.

Likely Made in Either Danvers, Mass. or Peabody, Mass.

This Slip-Decoration Matches the Slip on the Pan that is Owned by Old Sturbridge Village 

Slip-Decorated Sherd Recovered in Danversport, Mass.

Likely Made in Either Danvers, Mass. or Peabody, Mass.

This Slip-Decoration Matches the Slip on the Pan that is Owned by Old Sturbridge Village 

This is a comparison of the slip-techniques that were used on the jar and the dish - in both cases, the decoration was created with a swirl and a group of lines, which were placed, where the potter first began to make the swirl. Currently, I can not prove if these products are from the same potter's business; however, I do believe that the sherds are likely enough proof to say that these objects were made somewhere in Essex County, Massachusetts in the eighteenth-century.

Note: Here is a link to an article that mentions a rare slip-decorated pitcher, which I also believe was made in Essex County, Massachusetts since similar decoration was recovered from a privy in Salem, Massachusetts in a circa 1770 archaeological context. It appears that some of the potters in the Peabody, Massachusetts-area decorated some objects with unusual styles of slip-decoration in the 1700's. 

Comparison of the Slip Techniques on the Jar and the Dish

Slip-Decoration on the Jar

This Decoration was Made with a Swirl 

And Then a Group of Lines Were Placed Where the Swirl Began

Slip-Decoration on the Dish

This Decoration was Made with a Swirl 

And Then a Group of Lines Were Placed Where the Swirl Began

This Slip-Decoration Matches the Slip on the Pan that is Owned by Old Sturbridge Village 

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

An 18th Century Red Earthenware Pan that Appears to be Related to Sherds Recovered in Danversport, Massachusetts

This eighteenth-century slip-decorated red earthenware dish is a very-exciting object that I recently saw at Old Sturbridge Village's storage facility in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. This object was donated by renowned New Hampshire antiques dealer, Roger Bacon in the 1960's.

The swirled slip-decoration on this object matches a small group of sherds, which I have recovered on the Bass River in Danversport, Massachusetts. I have always felt that these sherds were likely made in either Danvers, Massachusetts or Peabody, Massachusetts in the 1700's.

I have also always wondered how these sherds would have appeared as a whole form - and, as a result, I think this dish is an extremely exciting discovery since slip-decoration was not all that popular with Essex County, Massachusetts potters during this period.

Note: Roger Bacon's red earthenware collection at Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth, New Hampshire also recently helped identify an important jar that I discovered earlier this year in Brimfield, Massachusetts. Bacon obviously focused on the rarer objects, which were available to him in the 1960's and 1970's. It appears that he appreciated the hard-to-find eighteenth-century slip-decorated products from Massachusetts.

Here is a link to the article that examines the jar, which I found a few months ago in Brimfield - here is also a link to a story that discusses another slip-decorated pan that recently sold in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Slip-Decorated Dish Owned by Old Sturbridge Village

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Dish

Attributed to Essex County, Massachusetts

A Matching Slip-Decoration Has Been Found on Sherds Recovered in Danversport, Mass.

Circa 1770-1810

Donated by Roger Bacon to Old Sturbridge Village

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, Mass.

Slip-Decorated Sherds Recovered in Danversport, Mass.

Slip-Decorated Sherd Recovered in Danversport, Mass.

Likely Made in Either Danvers, Mass. or Peabody, Mass.

This Slip-Decoration Matches the Slip on the Pan that is Owned by Old Sturbridge Village 

Slip-Decorated Sherd Recovered in Danversport, Mass.

Likely Made in Either Danvers, Mass. or Peabody, Mass.

This Slip-Decoration Matches the Slip on the Pan that is Owned by Old Sturbridge Village 

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

The Roger Bacon Collection of Red Earthenware at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts

A few months ago, I wrote about a collection of eighteenth and nineteenth-century red earthenware, which renowned New Hampshire antiques dealer, Roger Bacon had donated in 1975 to Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

I do not believe this was a collection that was previously known from Bacon. Apparently, the museum's acquisition must have happened quietly since it is not a well-known aspect of Bacon's career that is known today. But, then, again this may have been a collection that became lesser known as the years past.

Nevertheless, I recently learned that Roger Bacon also donated a collection of red earthenware in the 1960's to Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. It was a similar collection, as to what is seen in Strawbery Banke; although, the objects in Portsmouth seem to focus more on wares made in Essex County, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Instead, the objects that were donated to Old Sturbridge Village are a little more diverse with rare objects that were made in southeastern Massachusetts, Beverly, Massachusetts, Essex County, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire.

Note: I have included a number of pictures from Roger Bacon's red earthenware collection at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts; however, this is not the entirety of this collection.

Here are also links to two articles, where I wrote about some of the red earthenware, which was donated by Roger Bacon to Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

1. Article Number 1
2. Article Number 2

Roger Bacon Red Earthenware Collection Donated to Old Sturbridge Village

Late-18th or Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Attributed to Southeastern Mass.

Donated by Roger Bacon to Old Sturbridge Village

Circa 1780-1820

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, Mass.

19th Century Red Earthenware Churn Attributed to Essex County, Mass. or New Hampshire

Inscribed 'Lucinda Osborn'

Donated by Roger Bacon to Old Sturbridge Village

Published by Old Sturbridge Village in 1966

Pictured in 'Old New England Pottery,' an Old Sturbridge Village Booklet Series

'Old New England Pottery' was Written by Massachusetts Author, Lura Woodside Watkins

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, Mass.

19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Shaving Mug

Attributed to the Charles A. Lawrence Pottery in Beverly, Mass.

Donated by Roger Bacon to Old Sturbridge Village

Circa 1866-1872

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, Mass.

19th Century Red Earthenware Dish Attributed to New England

Donated by Roger Bacon to Old Sturbridge Village

Circa 1780-1820

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, Mass.

View of the Back of the Dish

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, Mass.

18th or Early-19th Century Slip-Decorated Dish

Attributed to Southeastern Massachusetts

Donated by Roger Bacon to Old Sturbridge Village

Circa 1770-1810

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, Mass.

18th or Early-19th Century Slip-Decorated Dish

Attributed to Southeastern Massachusetts

Donated by Roger Bacon to Old Sturbridge Village

Circa 1770-1810

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, Mass.

18th or Early-19th Century Slip-Decorated Dish

Attributed to Southeastern Massachusetts

Donated by Roger Bacon to Old Sturbridge Village

Circa 1770-1810

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, Mass.

18th or Early-19th Century Slip-Decorated Dish

Attributed to Southeastern Massachusetts

Donated by Roger Bacon to Old Sturbridge Village

Circa 1770-1810

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, Mass.

18th or Early-19th Century Slip-Decorated Dish

Attributed to Essex County, Massachusetts

Donated by Roger Bacon to Old Sturbridge Village

Circa 1770-1810

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, Mass.

19th Century Red Earthenware Wash Basin Attributed to New England

Interestingly, the Basin Retains a Really Old Bar of Soap

Donated by Roger Bacon to Old Sturbridge Village

Circa 1800-1860

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, Mass.

View of the Old Bar of Soap

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, Mass.

Another View of the Basin

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, Mass.

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

A 19th Century Red Earthenware Creamer from the Porter Pottery in Wiscasset, Maine

A potter's work, who I really enjoy today are the wares that were made by Ezra Porter (1769-1847) in Wiscasset, Maine. It seems (to me) that Porter's wares are rather rare today, and, as a result, red earthenware from the Porter Pottery has been elusive to many collectors. I think my interest with the Porter Pottery is likely the result of Ezra's Massachusetts background, as-well-as the fact that I like the Wiscasset-area, as well.

According to Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins (Early New England Potters and Their Wares), "The Porter Pottery in Wiscasset, Maine is thought to have started about 1790.  Ezra Porter, its founder, was a grandson of Joseph Osborn of Danvers, Massachusetts and son of Benjamin Porter, another Danvers potter. 

His own statement, published in the 'Lincoln Intelligencer,' August 1826, declares, 'I, Ezra Porter, potter by the trade, have worked at the potter's business for about forty years, in Danvers and Watertown, Massachusetts, in Newcastle and Wiscasset, in the County of Lincoln, in the State of Maine.'

According to this, he began his career in 1786 at the age of seventeen. Ezra's pottery in Wiscasset has not been located (as of 1950), but that of his son, Silas Porter, who succeeded him, was built on the site of the old county poor house in the southern part of Wiscasset. This is described as being near Hilton's Cove at Birch Point, on the cross road connecting the state highway with the old road to Jewankee. 

In this district, near a bed of excellent clay, Silas Porter made a great variety of earthenware, including pipkins, cake molds, money jugs, snuff jars and the usual assortment of cooking dishes and containers. He also operated a brickyard that was later sold to the New England Brick Company."

The latest edition to my collection of Porter Pottery is a wonderful colorful red earthenware creamer (see below), which I acquired last weekend from Middlebury, Vermont antique dealers, Jeff and Holly Noordsy in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  Arguably, this may be the most identifiable form from the Porter Pottery; however, it is also a rare form, which is difficult to obtain due to the demand for this potter's work today. Truthfully, I also only know about a small number of these creamers in existence; although, a matching form is also published in the book, 'The Early Potters and Potteries of Maine,' which is owned by the Maine State Museum in Augusta, Maine.

This is my collection of pottery that I believe was made at the Porter Pottery in Wiscasset - a noticeable characteristic with each piece is the presence of a large rounded foot or base. This may be a style that Ezra Porter first learned in Massachusetts, as this is a common characteristic with wares that were made in Essex County, Charlestown, the South Shore and Southeastern Massachusetts in the eighteenth and nineteenth-centuries.

Note: Here is a link to a red earthenware bowl that was made at the Porter Pottery in Wiscasset, Maine, which is owned by the Maine State Museum in Augusta, Maine.

The Berdan Collection that sold in Gray, Maine in 1998, also contained a collection of red earthenware from the Porter Pottery. Forms included two jars, two bowls, a single-handed jug and a double-handed jug.

The Porter Potteries - Wiscasset, Maine

Red Earthenware Lidded Jar

Early-to-Mid-19th Century Red Earthenware Jar

Many Characteristics Suggest this Object was Made at the Porter Pottery in Wiscasset, ME

Previous Publications have Suggested this Form was Made in Portland, ME

 Circa 1800-1860

Stands 9 1/2" Tall with the Lid

 View of One Handle

 View of the Lid

Red Earthenware Jug

 Early-to-Mid-19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Attributed to the Porter Pottery - Wiscasset, ME

Circa 1800-1860

Stands 6 7/8" Tall

 View of the Handle

Red Earthenware Creamer

 Early-to-Mid-19th Century Red Earthenware Creamer 

Attributed to the Porter Pottery - Wiscasset, ME

Circa 1800-1860

Stands 5" Tall

 View of the Handle

Red Earthenware Jug

 Early-to-Mid-19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Attributed to the Porter Pottery - Wiscasset, ME

Circa 1800-1860

Stands 8 1/8" Tall

 View of the Handle

Red Earthenware Jug

 Early-to-Mid-19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Attributed to the Porter Pottery - Wiscasset, ME

Circa 1800-1860

Stands 7 1/2" Tall

View of the Handle

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

A Southeastern Massachusetts Red Earthenware Jar Recently Discovered in an Attic in Holliston, Massachusetts

I just purchased this wonderful late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth-century black-glazed red earthenware jar from Falmouth, Massachusetts antiques dealer, Hilary Nolan. Hilary recently discovered this jar in the attic of an early home in Holliston, Massachusetts, which is not far from where this jar was originally manufactured in southeastern Massachusetts, circa 1780-1820.

The jar survives in remarkable condition with what may be its original lid. The jar is also a wonderful size standing only seven-and-one-half inches tall without the lid. It stands eight-and-one-half inches tall with the lid. The interior of the jar is also decorated with a beautiful vibrant-colored spotted green-glaze.

Personally, I believe it is rare these days to discover American-made red earthenware in early contexts of ownership; although, I also still believe that there is plenty more, yet to be discovered today. This jar was found in what I would describe as a wonderful early context, which adds to its great condition, as-well-as its charming form and size.

Note: Here is a link to a similar black-glazed late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth-century red earthenware jar from southeastern Massachusetts, which sold at Northeast Auctions in the summer of 2011 in Manchester, New Hampshire. I could be wrong, but I do not believe that the lid on this jar is original.

Southeastern Massachusetts Jar

 Late-18th or Early-19th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Jar

Attributed to Southeastern Massachusetts

Recently Found in the Attic of an Early House in Holliston, Mass.
The Lid May Be Original to the Jar

Circa 1780-1820

Stands 7 1/2" Tall without the Lid

Stands 8 1/2" Tall with the Lid

 Another View of the Jar

 View of the Interior Spotted Green-Glaze

Another View of the Interior Glaze

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

An Important Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to the Nathaniel Seymour Pottery in West Hartford, Connecticut

Recently, I have written about Nathaniel Seymour (1763-1849), who was a significant potter from West Hartford, Connecticut. He is likely most known today for the red earthenware that he produced in the late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth-centuries, which was often decorated with slip-decoration.

Prominent examples of Seymour's production were published by the American Folk Art Museum in New York City in 2002. Sotheby's has also recently sold Seymour's work in New York City - and, more recently, a wonderful ring flask that was made by Seymour sold at a Jeffrey Evans & Associates auction in Virginia.

Arguably, the most prized example of Seymour's production is owned by the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, Connecticut. The museum's pitcher was also published by Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins in 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares.' 

However, I was fortune to acquire this previously undocumented large jar today that is also attributed to Seymour, which likely rivals any of the best examples of Seymour's production that survive today. Personally, I am biased, where I feel this may be the best example known to exist today.

Nathaniel Seymour Pottery - West Hartford, Connecticut

 Late-18th or Early-19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Jar

Attributed to the Nathaniel Seymour Pottery in West Hartford, CT

Circa 1790-1820

Stands 11 1/2" Tall

Acquired Privately Today

Another View of the Jar

 Another View of the Jar

 Another View of the Jar

 View of the Lid

 View of the Interior

View of the Base

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

A Very Important Painting of the Bull Lane Pottery in Brentford, England in the 1840s

According to the blog, Nursery Gardeners, "This remarkable painting shows the interior of the Bull Lane Pottery in Brentford, England in the 1840s. The painting can be dated by the name 'George Robinson,' which can be seen on the chimney pots (far left), as he owned the pottery throughout that decade. 

The building was constructed from brick with an unplastered timber ceiling and leaded mullioned winders, which suggests it dates from the late-seventeenth-century. 

The potter on the left is forming a large forcing jar with a conical lid, and has tall chimney pots waiting to be taken to the kiln on the board alongside his wheel. He has to stand on a step to handle the clay for these substantial products cannot reach his foot pedal - instead it is being operated by a young boy using a lever beneath the table.

The potter on the right is holding up a garden urn. Although, it is unlikely that this object was manufactured in one piece on his wheel in this form, though he has his foot on the pedal beneath the table to operate his wheel. This is probably a pose for the painting. Alongside are weighed out equal slabs of clay - more are being brought to the potters by the man on the right. A row of small flowerpot stands on a ware-board beside him, ready for carriage to the kilns. 

The children posed in the foreground for the picture have a toy wheelbarrow, a straw hat and their pet animals. It seems unlikely that they would be allowed into the workshop with their best clothes on any occasion."

Note: Here is a link to the full blog article.

George Robinson's Bull Lane Pottery - Brentford, England

Circa 1840s

Photo Courtesy: Giuldford Museum - Giuldford, England

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