The Antique Shows in Brimfield, Massachusetts: Day 2, May 2017

Here is another quick recap about my second day picking the antique shows in Brimfield, Massachusetts - these objects were found yesterday. I have included information about each object in the captions.

It is certainly debatable, but my favorite find is possibly a late nineteenth-century earthenware bulldog growler with a Rockingham type glaze that is similar to an object, which is attributed to the Thomas Haig Pottery that is owned by the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Although, the bulldog that I found yesterday stands larger than the museum's example by almost one inch. This is always a form that I have wanted to own, but I have never had the opportunity to handle one of these bulldog pitchers before.

Interestingly, the term "growler" was a slang term for a beer container when this object was created. I was also told that it was recently found in a house in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Note: I have included pictures of each of the following objects in both indoor and outdoor lighting.

1) 19th Century Earthenware Bulldog Formed Pitcher

Outdoor Lighting

19th Century Earthenware Bulldog Growler Attributed to the Haig Pottery in Philadelphia

Decorated with a Rockingham Type Glaze

"Growler" is a Slang Term for a Been Container

Circa Late 19th Century 

Stands 9 1/8" Tall

Reportedly Found in a House in Lancaster, PA

Here is a Link to a Similar Object that is Owned by the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Here is also a Link to the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Collection of Haig Pottery

Indoor Lighting

 View of One Side of the Bulldog Growler

 View of the Bulldog's Face

 Another View of the Bulldog Growler

View of the Base

2) 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar or Vase

Outdoor Lighting

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar or Vase Attributed to Maine

There are a Small Number of these Forms Known Today in Private New England Collections

Circa 1820-1880

Stands 7 3/8" Tall

Recently Found in Southern Maine

Indoor Lighting

Another View of the Jar or Vase

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

The Antique Shows in Brimfield, Massachusetts: Day 1, May 2017

Tonight, I would like to quickly show the red earthenware that I picked today at the various antique shows in Brimfield, Massachusetts. My favorite picks include an extremely rare glazed red earthenware jug attributed to the William Pecker Pottery in Merrimacport, Massachusetts, as well as a rare miniature harvest jug that may have been used to feed children in the 1800s.

Note: I have included information about each object in the captions.

1) Red Earthenware Jug

Early 19th Century Jug Attributed to William Pecker Pottery - Merrimacport, Mass.

I Have Never Seen this Glaze from the Pecker Pottery Before

Circa 1790-1820

Stands 8 7/8" Tall

Reportedly Found in Western Massachusetts

 Another View of the Jug

 View of the Handle

2) Miniature Red Earthenware Harvest Jug

 19th Century Miniature Harvest Jug Possibly Used for Feeding a Child

Possibly Made in Mass., Connecticut or Pennsylvania

Stands 5 3/8" Tall

Reportedly Found in Newton, Massachusetts

 Another View of the Jug

3) Red Earthenware Jar

 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to Western New York

Circa 1820-1860

Stands 9 7/8" Tall

Reportedly Found in Ohio

View of One Handle

4) Red Earthenware Jar

 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to the Abner S. White Pottery - West Sterling, MA

Circa 1860

Stands 9 1/8" Tall

Reportedly Found in Connecticut

View of One Handle

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

A 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar from Maine that Appeared Last Weekend at a Stoneware Sale in Bennington, Vermont

Last week, the Stoneware Collector's Group held its semi-annual meeting in Bennington, Vermont; although, the highlight of the event for many was probably Brandt Zipp, a partner at Crocker Farm in Maryland, who spoke about the early Manhattan stoneware potters, as well as a behind the scenes visit to see Adam Weitsman's stoneware collection at the New York State Museum's storage facility in Albany, New York.

I have never attended this event, but I have heard it is a spectacular experience, which is orchestrated twice a year by North Granby, Connecticut antique dealers, Stephen and Lorraine German.

But another aspect of this event that always generates a lot of excitement is the stoneware sale that is held in front of the Camelot Village Antiques Center in Bennington, Vermont. Stoneware dealers from all over the country come together and offer their latest pickings and inventory for sale in this field. I have also heard this event described as a stoneware flea market, where one stoneware collector recently called it, "The world's greatest flea market."

However, red earthenware can also occasionally be found at the stoneware sale - and, that was the case last weekend when this wonderful nineteenth-century red earthenware jar was purchased by Brookfield, Massachusetts antiques dealer, Kris Cassuci. This jar was brought to Bennington by a Cape Cod antiques dealer, which is also presumably where the jar was discovered.

I have a special interest with this jar since I believe it was made in the North Yarmouth, Maine potter's industry, circa 1800-1860. I have written extensively about this industry on this website, where I have also explained how this type of form can be directly linked to North Yarmouth today. The attribution is based on the overall form of the jar, the rim, the base with no foot and the partial exterior glaze. I have also seen this style of jar recovered in archaeological contexts in the North Yarmouth area, which I have also previously written about.

Traditionally, these formed jars came with and without lids. The jars that were produced with a lid were normally made with an incised number on the base, whereas, the original lid also exhibited a matching incised number.

Note: A few months ago, I submitted an article about the eighteenth and nineteenth-century North Yarmouth, Maine potter's industry for publication. The article took a few years of research in order to write - I will post more information about this article once I hear about a potential publication date.

Red Earthenware Jar Found in Bennington, VT

 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Likely Made in the North Yarmouth, ME Potter's Industry

Circa 1800-1860

See Article For More Information

Photo Courtesy: Kris Casucci - Brookfield, MA

View of the Finger Prints on the Jar

 Photo Courtesy: Kris Casucci - Brookfield, MA

 View of the Base with No Foot

Photo Courtesy: Kris Casucci - Brookfield, MA

Another View of the Base

Photo Courtesy: Kris Casucci - Brookfield, MA

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

A Few Dozen Roof Tiles Found in the Josiah Worthen House in Amesbury, Massachusetts

I was recently riding my bike past this house in Amesbury, Massachusetts when I realized that a rock wall in front of the home was partially covered with an intriguing group of artifacts. The house was built circa 1793 by Josiah Worthen, a local shipwright; however, I was surprised when I saw a few dozen earthenware roof tiles on the rock wall.

The homeowners told me that they found the tiles in the basement - and, they thought the tiles may have been originally used on the home's roof.

I immediately thought about the William Pecker Pottery and the Chase Pottery, which operated a little over one mile away from this location in the late eighteenth and nineteenth-centuries. Interestingly, Pecker's business was also in full operation when this house was built in 1793; although, I do not have definitive proof that this is where these tiles were made. But I thought it was still an interesting fact to share.

Nonetheless, the remains of red earthenware roof tiles have been found elsewhere in Massachusetts in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth-centuries. They have been recovered in archaeological contexts in Charlestown, Massachusetts, Salem, Massachusetts, Boston and Harvard Yard in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I also believe that all of these tiles were made locally and the production may have originally begun in Charlestown in the 1600s before it was later adopted by other potters in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth-centuries. But it should also be noted that roof tiles could have easily been shipped to Boston, Cambridge and Salem from Charlestown.

Earthenware Roof Tiles Found in Amesbury, Mass.

 Josiah Worthen House in Amesbury, Mass.

Circa 1793

Worthen was a Local Shipwright

 Earthenware Roof Tiles Found in the Josiah Worthen House in Amesbury, Mass.

  Earthenware Roof Tiles Found in the Josiah Worthen House in Amesbury, Mass.

  Earthenware Roof Tiles Found in the Josiah Worthen House in Amesbury, Mass.

 Earthenware Roof Tiles Found in the Josiah Worthen House in Amesbury, Mass.

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

A Signed 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar that May Have Been Made in Norwalk, Connecticut and a Sherd Found in Merrimacport, Massachusetts

Rare Signed 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar
I recently saw this nineteenth-century red earthenware jar (that may have been somewhat over-fired) listed on the website of Waynesboro, Virginia antique dealers, Christopher and Bernadette Evans. Similar forms have been correctly attributed to the nineteenth-century potter's industry in Norwalk, Connecticut (see 'Norwalk Potteries,' Winton, 1981); although, I believe comparable formed jars were also made on Long Island in the 1800s (see 'Useful Art: Long Island Pottery,' Corbett, 1985).

But what sets this jar apart from similar forms that exist today is the fact that the base has been inscribed, "D. Howell." Potentially, this inscription may turn this jar into a meaningful example of red earthenware from the northeast.

The signature also appears to have been completed before the jar was fired, which is different from other objects that are known today, where an owner's initial or name was scratched into the object after it had already been purchased from the potter. This signature is likely directly related to the potter's business, whereas the latter signatures are indicative of ownership.

I have not been able to link this person's name to either of the aforementioned industries; however, this may have been an apprentice or an undocumented potter, such as a traveling potter, who worked in Norwalk or on Long Island.

For what it is worth - these type of inscriptions are also found on red earthenware plates and platters that were produced at the Smith & Day Pottery in Norwalk, where a person's initials or name was applied in slip-decoration. Interestingly, the Smith & Day Pottery has also been tied to this type of jar, as well. Here is a link to Skinner's website in Boston that shows a variety of the slip-decorated plates and platters that I just referenced.

Nevertheless, I feel this is a very interesting piece of red earthenware, which is a result of the highly unusual signature on the base. This is definitely an object that can be used for research and conversation.

Note: Here is a link to the listing for this jar on Christopher and Bernadette Evans' website.

 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Possibly Made in Norwalk, CT

Circa 1800-1860

Base is Signed 'D. Howell'

Photo Courtesy: Christopher & Bernadette Evans - Waynesboro, VA

View of the Signature on the Base 'D. Howell'

Photo Courtesy: Christopher & Bernadette Evans - Waynesboro, VA

Sherd Found in Merrimacport, Mass.

I also wanted to show this red earthenware sherd today that I discovered yesterday at the site of the William Pecker Pottery in Merrimacport, Massachusetts. It appears that this location is where Pecker produced red earthenware and stoneware, circa 1790-1820. 

I occasionally hear that such a glaze is a "Maine-type glaze" or a "Gonic, New Hampshire-type glaze" or even a "Galena, Illinois-type glaze; however, it is really difficult to prove that a certain type of glaze is exclusive to a certain potter or even a distinct location/region. Although, there is certainly a better argument that can be made for specific styles of slip-decoration, which was produced in America in the eighteenth and nineteenth-centuries.

Yet, there is still so much to be learned today in regards to any given utilitarian potter's output - many potters, who are widely known today were likely involved with a broader field of production than what is known. I feel this sherd from the Pecker Pottery is indicative of that statement, where it has been decorated with a wonderful raspberry and cream colored glaze. This would normally be called a "Maine-type glaze" today. 

Interestingly, this specific glaze from the Pecker Pottery would also predate many of the potters, who would have applied this style of glaze in Maine in the nineteenth-century. A similar style of glaze has also been recovered within a pre-1775 archaeological context in Abington, Massachusetts and Charlestown, Massachusetts. I almost feel that I want to say that this type of glaze, which was also produced in Maine - is a glaze that originated in Massachusetts in the eighteenth-century before it spread to Maine in the nineteenth-century.

Large Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Sherd with a Colorful Glaze

Found at the Site of the William Pecker Pottery in Merrimacport, Mass.

Circa 1790-1820

See Article For More Information

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

A Slip-Decorated Milk Pan Found on the Wreck of America in Illinois and the Types of Pottery Produced in Illinois in the 19th Century

Wreck of America in Illinois
According to the book, 'The Wreck of America in Southern Illinois: A Flatboat on the Ohio River,' "Flatboats were the most prolific type of vessel on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers during the early 1800s. Thousands of these boats descended the two rivers each year, carrying not only valuable cargo, but also western-bound emigrants to newly opened territories. By the late 1800s, flatboats had completely disappeared, and no intact examples were known to exist. Knowledge of these historic vessels had been limited to illustrations, memoirs, and traveler accounts.

That changed in 2000 after local residents found a wreck on the Ohio River shoreline in Illinois. Archaeologists from Southern Illinois University Carbondale investigated extensively and established that the wreck was a pre-Civil War flatboat, which they named America, after a nearby town.

The America wreck represents the remains of an early nineteenth-century flatboat dating to about 1801-1830. The relatively small size of the boat - an estimated 40 feet by 12 feet - also is characteristic of flatboats built before the Civil War. 

The artifacts recovered from the wreck site - red earthenware milk pans, spoons, ax, caulking iron, and so on - represent the personal belongings and tools of the crew. The presence of these types of everyday items within the hull suggests that the America was partially or completely submerged after the wreck and that these articles either could not be found under the water or simply were not worth recovering.

The flatboat produced 20 red earthenware sherds representing the remains of at least three separate vessels. The most intact vessel recovered from the America consisted of a milk pan. The vessel interior, with the exception of the lip, was covered with a manganese-flecked clear lead glaze, while the exterior was left unglazed. The vessel interior was also covered  with a single line of olive yellow slip that formed a series of 18 concentric rings that spiraled in toward the center of the vessel base."

Note: Unfortunately, I do not have an image available of this milk pan to use on this website, but it certainly sounds like it could have been made in the Mid-Atlantic region in the early nineteenth-century. This artifact also really shows how domestic utilitarian pottery traveled in the eighteenth and nineteenth-centuries.

19th Century Pottery Produced in Illinois
I have previously written an article about red earthenware that was produced by Christopher Weber in New Harmony, Indiana, circa 1815-1824 that appears to have been recovered at Williams Fort in White County, Illinois within a circa 1811-1838 archaeological context. The wares produced by Midwestern potters certainly traveled in the nineteenth-century, which is no different than what happened with red earthenware and stoneware potters elsewhere in America during the period.

But Illinois is also known to have supported its own prolific pottery industry in the 1800's, where there were many successful businesses. For example, the stoneware made by Wallace and Cornwall Kirkpatrick in Anna, Illinois can be considered some of the most creative and visionary pottery that was produced in America in the nineteenth-century. The wares from this business often truly represent what is viewed today, as pottery, which has transcended into the field of American-made folk art.

There was also a prosperous red earthenware industry in Illinois that is probably best known today for the wares that were produced in Galena, Illinois; although, I also feel that Galena pottery is occasionally misrepresented today since red earthenware that is generically decorated with a spotted glaze is often attributed to Galena. A similar scenario can be found with attributions that are solely based on red earthenware glazes that are said to have been made in Gonic, New Hampshire - however, in both instances, the attribution should be about the form instead of the glaze. There were many potter's businesses that produced this type of glaze in America and Canada in the nineteenth-century. In fact, some of the glazes produced in Galena are similar to some of the more desired glazes that can be found on red earthenware from Nova Scotia, where there was also the use of slip-decoration (see below) in both industries.

Nevertheless, I have posted two links to documents that I thought I would share today that help define some of the types of pottery made in Illinois. The report, 'Redware Production in the Lead Mine District of Northwestern Illinois' also does an excellent job of breaking down the different forms that were produced in the Galena-area in the late-1800's.

Note: Interestingly, the form of the red earthenware jar that I wrote about earlier this week, which was discovered in a mid-to-late nineteenth-century privy in St. Louis, Missouri is very similar in form to jars that are discussed in  'Redware Production in the Lead Mine District of Northwestern Illinois,' which are attributed to the Galena, Illinois-area, circa 1880.

Reports on Pottery Made in Illinois in the 19th Century
1) Redware Production in the Lead Mine District of Northwestern Illinois

2) Nineteenth Century Pottery Production in Illinois

Jugs Attributed to the Galena, IL Area

Graduated Set of 19th Century Red Earthenware Jugs Attributed to Galena, IL

Circa 2nd Half of the 19th Century

Photo Courtesy: Keno Auctions - New York City

19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Likely Made in the Galena, IL Area

Circa 2nd Half of the 19th Century

Stands 8" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Skinner, Inc - Boston

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

A 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Recovered from a Privy in St. Louis, Missouri

According to the archaeology report, 'Below the Surface: Excavation of the Walsh's Row Site, St. Louis City, Missouri,' "In 2004, Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) historic preservation staff conducted an archaeological survey of a section of downtown St. Louis, Missouri, bounded in part by Interstate 64, Cerre Street, Sixth Street, and Fourth Street. The survey identified one archaeological site: the Walsh's Row Site, a mid-nineteenth to twentieth-century row house (a row of houses joined by a common sidewall).

MoDOT and the Federal Highway Administration, in consultation with the Missouri State Historic Preservation Office, determined that the Walsh's Row Site is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and that construction of new ramps along Interstate 64 would adversely affect the site.

The bulk of the ceramic collection from this site appears to have been imported European wares, although, coarse red earthenware is perhaps the oldest type of ceramic represented in the archaeology collection. The domestic red earthenware artifacts recovered from the site include a complete jar and fragments of a jar lid with a knob (Note: the lid may have gone to the complete jar). The red earthenware items recovered also appear mostly related to food storage, rather than preparation or service."

This red earthenware jar was recovered from a privy within a mid-to-late nineteenth-century archaeological context - it may not be the most exciting object in terms of form and glaze, but it does represent a type of red earthenware that was available in St. Louis, Missouri in the 1800s. I also assume that this is a Midwestern produced object that could have been made in Missouri after 1840. Interestingly, a similar form was also produced in Ontario in the late-nineteenth century.

Note: Here is a link to the complete archaeology report that was published by the Missouri Department of Transportation in 2008.
Walsh's Row, St. Louis, MO

Walsh's Row, St. Louis, MO

Circa 1910

Photo Courtesy: Missouri Department of Transportation

Jar Recovered in St. Louis, MO

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Recovered from a Privy on Walsh's Row in St. Louis, MO

Possibly Manufactured in Missouri

Circa 1840-1880

Photo Courtesy: Missouri Department of Transportation

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