19th Century Red Earthenware Bottle or Vase Discovered in the Burlington, Vermont Area

Another subject that I wrote about last month was the production of black-glazed red earthenware in Vermont in the late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth century. In fact, there are even some accounts of Essex County, Massachusetts trained potters, who migrated to Vermont in search of opportunity in order to establish their own business, where they later returned home to the Salem, Massachusetts-area in search of potter's supplies. Those supplies included manganese used in the manufacture of such black-glazed pottery.

This black-glazed red earthenware bottle or vase was found five-or-ten years ago in the Burlington, Vermont-area. It appears to be a form that was made at some of the potter's businesses in Vermont during the circa 1790-1830/40 period. For example, archaeology has proven that this type of form was made at the Moses Bradley Pottery in Chimney Point, Vermont  and West Woodstock, Vermont in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. However, this form does appear to have been exclusive to any single potter's business, since bottles or vases are known in a variety of shapes and glazes today from potter's who were employed throughout Vermont.

Interestingly, this is also a form that has been attributed to Maine over the years, but I have never seen any conclusive proof, which would indicate that this shape was ever made at any potter's business in Maine in the nineteenth century. 

I should also note that there are some similar objects that survive today with a lid, which seems to suggest that a lot of these objects were more likely viewed as a bottle when they were originally created. But there are also some nineteenth century records that indicate such objects were made as a vase. I would also suggest that the name of the form should probably be analyzed on a case-by-case basis; whereas, this particular object may have been originally manufactured as a vase.

Red Earthenware Bottle or Vase

19th Century Red Earthenware Bottle or Vase Probably Made in Vermont

Reportedly Discovered in the Burlington, VT Area
Probably Circa 1790-1830/40

Stands 7 1/4" Tall

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Another View of the Bottle or Vase

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View of the Base

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

The Continued Study About Red Earthenware Manufactured in Vermont, Circa 1790-1830/40

Last month, this paragraph was included in an article that I posted on January 10th, "It would seem that Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins acknowledged on page 140 in 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares' that the research about red earthenware production in Vermont was limited when her book was published in 1950. She wrote, 'Redware was no doubt made in a number of the stoneware factories in Vermont. Many unrecorded redware kilns, also, must have existed throughout the state, but, if so, their history has been lost in the greater note of Vermont's stoneware industry.'"

Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts owns some objects that were acquired years ago in Vermont, which have never been published or really shown before. For example, there is this jar (see below) that is very similar to a jar in my collection, which was originally discovered in Vermont a few years back by Vermont antiques dealer, Brian Bittner. I have been unsuccessful in determining, where in Vermont these objects were made; although, I do feel they were manufactured in Vermont during the circa 1790-1830/40 period.

I also believe these jars are related to another jar in my collection, which I acquired last summer from antique dealers in western Massachusetts, who had purchased a longtime collection of antiques from a Vermont home. That collection included some red earthenware made in Vermont, which consisted of a similar glazed jar with what appears to be matching handles. I would not be surprised to learn that all of the objects that I have posted this morning are from the same potter's business or from businesses that were located in the same area.

Note: I have also included a nineteenth century red earthenware pitcher that was purchased in Maine more-than 10 years ago. I also believe this object could be from Vermont since the glaze is basically a match to another jar that I have posted below (see pitcher on left and jar on right).

Red Earthenware Jar Found in Vermont

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Likely Made in Vermont

Reportedly Discovered Decades Ago in Vermont

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, Mass.

Red Earthenware Possibly from Vermont

 19th Century Red Earthenware Probably from Vermont

Objects on Left and Right are Decorated with Matching Glazes

Object in Middle is Similar to Jar Owned by Old Sturbridge Village

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View of the Handles

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

19th Century Red Earthenware Jug that was Discovered Decades Ago by Dan and Jan Olmstead

Yesterday, I wrote about a nineteenth century red earthenware jar that had been discovered by New Hampshire antique pickers, Dan and Jan Olmstead inside an old house in Vermont in the 1960s. It was an object that I was fortunate to acquire when the Olmsteads sold their collection at auction at the Frank Jones Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in September 2008.

Aside from the prominent private collections that still exist today, the Olmstead's collection (among others that have previously sold) should be included in the discussion of longtime collections that influenced me during my first five-or-so years of buying and studying red earthenware. The fact that the Olmsteads had picked pretty-much every single piece of pottery in their collection was inspiring to me - and, nearly every object was also accompanied with a story and a context.

It should not be surprising, either to learn that this was a highly contested sale, possibly one of the more expensive sales that I have seen for prices based on what was sold. Almost every object had been made in New England in the eighteenth or nineteenth century; whereas, there were even objects that had been published, and this was the first time that they had ever been sold publicly. For example, a wonderful lipped bowl sold that was illustrated in figure 39C in Lura Woodside Watkins book, 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares.' According to Watkins, "The bowl was made at the Osborn Pottery on Central Street in Peabody, Massachusetts."

There was also a beautiful variegated glazed circa 1790-1820 red earthenware pitcher attributed to William Pecker in Merrimacport, Massachusetts that did very-well selling for more than $8,000. But there were also additional objects that were left without attribution, such as eighteenth century red earthenware mugs made in Newburyport, Massachusetts around the American Revolution, as well as a number of colorful objects from New Hampshire and Maine. Overall, the majority of the collection consisted of red earthenware made in Essex County, Massachusetts and northern New England.

The following ovoid jug is another object that I acquired from the Omstead's collection; although, it was traded four-or-five years ago to another Massachusetts red earthenware collector. Nonetheless, I have seen this type of jug attributed to both Vermont and Orange, New Hampshire; however, this is actually a jug that was likely made in southern Maine after 1820. It should be noted that I have seen similar formed jugs attributed to Buxton, Maine.

As I recall, the Olmsteads also said they found this jug in Maine. But aside from the form and the attractive glaze, the purpose of this jug was also interesting since it was partially filled with dried syrup. I bet the jug must have weighed three-or-four pounds.

Note: Check the right column on this website for some of the archaeology that has been recovered in Buxton, Maine from the circa 1825-1880 period.

Southern Maine Red Earthenware Jug

 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Attributed to Southern Maine

Possibly Made in Buxton, ME After 1820

Stands About 8" Tall

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View of the Handle

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

19th Century Red Earthenware Jars that Retain Histories of Ownership in Vermont

These are a pair of nineteenth century red earthenware jars that I have always been curious to know where they were made. I have wondered if they were made in Vermont ever since I first acquired the black-glazed jar from a Crocker Farm auction in Maryland, which had been consigned from a longtime collection in Vermont that dated back to the 1950s and 1960s. Although, I have also previously speculated that these objects could have been made in Charlestown, Massachusetts after the American Revolution since a similar formed stoneware jar was made at that industry in the late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth century. But I have not been able to find any further proof to support such an attribution.

Nevertheless, the exterior and interior glaze style found on the black-glazed jar closely resemble a style that I wrote about last month, which was manufactured in a similar way with black-glazed objects made at the Woodman Pottery in Poultney, Vermont in the early-1800s. Unfortunately, I do not believe that this glaze style is enough evidence to make a Vermont attribution.

However, it was not too long after I acquired the black-glazed jar, that I found a matching formed jar, which had been purchased at the antique shows in Brimfield, Massachusetts. The dealer told me that this jar had also been reportedly found in Vermont. I was told it came out of an old house in Vermont, but I was not able to obtain any further information about the context. Interestingly, this jar is also decorated with a similar interior glaze.

A characteristic that has stood out to me about these jars for a few years now are the unusual handles, and how they somewhat closely resemble the handles found on a jar owned today by the Art Institute of Chicago, among related objects in other museums, as well. In this case, the museum's jar (which I have posted below) was made by Edwin William Farrar in Middlebury, Vermont, circa 1830. It is prominently marked with what appears to be individual stamps, "E W FARRAR."

Note: Are there any thoughts that these jars could be from Vermont, but not necessarily made in Middlebury, Vermont? I feel this is a strong possibility since I have not been able to find any information that could link these objects to any other state in New England.

Red Earthenware Jars with Histories of Ownership in Vermont

19th Century Red Earthenware Jars that Both Retain Histories of Ownership in Vermont

Compare these Handles to the Handles Found on the Jar Posted Below

Very Possibly Made in Vermont

Likely Circa 1790-1830/40

(Left) Stands 7 3/8" Tall

(Right) Stands 7 7/8" Tall

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 Another View of the Jars
Compare these Handles to the Handles Found on the Jar Posted Below

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 View of Two of the Handles
Compare these Handles to the Handles Found on the Jar Posted Below

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 View of the Other Two Handles
Compare these Handles to the Handles Found on the Jar Posted Below

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View of the Interior Glazes

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Red Earthenware Jar from Middlebury, Vermont

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Made by Edwin William Farrar - Middlebury, VT

Compare these Handles to the Handles Found on the Jars Posted Above

Circa 1830

Stands 9 3/8" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Art Institute of Chicago

Another View of the Jar
Compare these Handles to the Handles Found on the Jars Posted Above

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Art Institute of Chicago

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

A 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Discovered in Vermont in the 1960s

I acquired this nineteenth century red earthenware jar about ten years ago from New Hampshire antique pickers, Dan and Jan Olmstead's personal collection, which they sold themselves at an auction held at the Frank Jones Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It was a heck of a sale to attend with objects that the Olmsteads had personally picked over the past forty-or-so years. Almost every object was also accompanied with a story.

The story behind this jar is that it was discovered by the Olmsteads in an old home in Vermont in the 1960s. They said it was among the first pieces of red earthenware that they had ever acquired; whereas, I was the lucky winning bidder, surprisingly taking the jar home for the opening bid. 

My feeling behind this jar is that it was made in Vermont during the circa 1790-1830/40 period - this is also the same period that I have been writing about for the better part of 2018 with red earthenware from Vermont.

The dark-green glaze with orange halos found on this jar would often be attributed to New Hampshire today, but that is an overused attribution that should never be based on just a glaze. This type of glaze is found all over America, where red earthenware was produced in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

However, the handles, the overall form and the unusual interior glaze are what led me to believe that this object was made in Vermont. 

Last month, you may recall, I wrote about the Woodman Pottery in Poultney, Vermont, which is kind of known today for decorating objects with varying exterior and interior glazes. This jar is decorated in a similar style, but with different colors than what I have previously posted.

Nonetheless, I can not say that this jar is related to the Woodmans' production, but I do feel that it was made in Vermont. I also feel this is a rare object to find today since I can not recall having seen another identical jar in any of the museum or private collections that I have studied.

Note: I have also posted an image of another jar that is decorated with a similar exterior glaze, which would normally be attributed to New Hampshire today. However, this jar is also attributed to Vermont and owned today by the Vermont Historical Society in Barre, Vermont.

Red Earthenware Jar Discovered in Vermont in 1960s

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Likely Made in Vermont

Discovered in Vermont in the 1960s

Circa 1790-1830/40

Stands 10 3/8" Tall

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 Another View of the Jar

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 View of One Handle

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 View of the Other Handle

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View of the Interior Glaze

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Red Earthenware Jar Owned by Vermont History Center

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to Vermont

Circa 1790-1830/40

Stands Around 9" to 11" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Vermont Historical Society - Barre, VT

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

19th Century Red Earthenware Objects Owned by the Maine Historical Society that Retain a History of Ownership in Portland, Maine

I wrote a feature story about the eighteenth and nineteenth century Dodge family potteries in Exeter, New Hampshire, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Portland, Maine for the February 2018 issue of Maine Antique Digest. The article analyzed each potter's business separately, and how the origin of these multigenerational businesses could be traced back to Exeter in the 1700s.

In particular, the Dodge Pottery in Portland is a business that deserves a lot more attention today in terms of what was actually made during this company's more-than 75 years of existence. I explained in the article the type of known wares that were made in Portland, which I suggested were the most artistic among the family businesses. But this business also obviously produced a lot of pottery despite the lack of documented information with how many of the wares actually appeared.

The article included a group of wonderful objects that were stamped with the rare Dodge mark applied in Portland, which are owned today by the Maine Historical Society in Portland, and originally acquired from a local woman named Alice Stephenson in the 1800s.

However, the historical society also owns a small pitcher and a black-glazed mug that the museum suggests were also made at the Dodge Pottery. I did not include these objects in the feature story since I was not certain of the Portland attribution, despite a well-documented local history of ownership; although, I have posted them on this website today.

Nevertheless, like I just wrote, I can not prove the attribution, nor can I discredit it, either. I would not necessarily view these objects as guaranteed products from the Dodge Pottery, but I would also not view them negatively saying they are definitely not from Portland. I think an open mind needs to be kept with the possibilities that may have happened with the red earthenware manufactured by the Dodges in Portland in the late-1790s up until around 1876.

Note: For anyone who does not already, but would like to own a copy of my recent feature story about the eighteenth and nineteenth century Dodge Potteries in New Hampshire and Maine - Maine Antique Digest is selling individual copies for $5.50 each - visit this link for more information about purchasing a copy.

Small Red Earthenware Creamer

 Small 19th Century Red Earthenware Creamer Possibly Made in Portland, ME

Retains a History of Ownership in Portland, ME

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Maine Historical Society - Portland, ME

 Another View of the Small Pitcher

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Photo Courtesy: Maine Historical Society - Portland, ME

 View of the Handle

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Photo Courtesy: Maine Historical Society - Portland, ME

 View of the Base

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Photo Courtesy: Maine Historical Society - Portland, ME

View of the Interior

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Photo Courtesy: Maine Historical Society - Portland, ME

Small Red Earthenware Mug

 Small 19th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Mug Possibly Made in Portland, ME

Retains a History of Ownership in Portland, ME

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Maine Historical Society - Portland, ME

 Another View of the Small Mug

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Photo Courtesy: Maine Historical Society - Portland, ME

 View of the Handle

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Photo Courtesy: Maine Historical Society - Portland, ME

View of the Base

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Photo Courtesy: Maine Historical Society - Portland, ME

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

A Wonderful Green-Glazed Bristol County, Massachusetts Red Earthenware Jar Discovered in a Thrift Store in New York

Last fall, I wrote about a remarkable nineteenth century slip-decorated red earthenware jar that I had just acquired, which was recently discovered inside a thrift shop in Los Angeles. I was really shocked that such a rare object could end up in such an environment, but it did.

Nevertheless, it was brought to my attention today that another wonderful object was just discovered at another thrift store; however, this discovery was made in the Hudson Valley Region in New York.

This fantastic late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth century green-glazed red earthenware jar from Bristol County, Massachusetts must have been donated to the thrift store from a recent house clean out. This is a desired form of production today, especially the green-glaze, which has been coveted by collectors and museums now for more than a century. Similar examples can be found in Winterthur in Delaware, the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., Historic New England, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and so on.

Note: Here is a link to a story that I posted last summer about green-glazed red earthenware sherds from Bristol County, Massachusetts, which were recovered by archaeologists at the site of the African American Meeting House in Boston.

Bristol County, Mass. Jar Recently Found in New York

 Late-18th or Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to Bristol County, Mass.

Recently Discovered in a Thrift Store in New York

Circa 1780-1820

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Photo Courtesy: Private New York Collection

 Another View of the Jar

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Photo Courtesy: Private New York Collection

View of the Base

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Photo Courtesy: Private New York Collection

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