Three Pieces of 19th Century Red Earthenware Recently Removed from a House in Northern Vermont

Earlier today, I visited the antique shows in Brimfield, Massachusetts, and I came home with some new red earthenware to add to my personal collection. I grabbed these three objects soon after a dealer had placed them on a table while he setup for a show.

I was told that all of these pieces were just removed from a house in northern Vermont, where they had reportedly resided for at least the last 30 years. I also believe that each object was manufactured in Vermont in the 1800s.

These pieces of colorfully-glazed red earthenware all serve as nice examples in the area of my collection that is made up of Vermont-made red earthenware; however, the jar is especially a great object as a result of its size, form and multicolored glaze.

Note: I have posted three images below that reveal how these objects appear in both the shade and direct sunlight.

Vermont Red Earthenware in the Shade

 19th Century Red Earthenware Attributed to Vermont

Recently Removed from a House in Northern Vermont

This Photo was Taken in the Shade

See Article for More Information

View of the Handles

This Photo was Taken in the Shade

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Vermont Red Earthenware in Direct Sunlight

 19th Century Red Earthenware Attributed to Vermont

Recently Removed from a House in Northern Vermont

This Photo was Taken in Direct Sunlight

See Article for More Information

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

Wonderful Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Platter that Sold Last Month at Freeman's in Philadelphia

An excellent example of late-eighteenth or nineteenth century slip-decorated red earthenware sold last month at Freeman's Auction in Philadelphia. The platter was likely made in southeastern Pennsylvania, possibly in Philadelphia. The form and style of slip found on this colorful object are indicative of red earthenware manufactured in this region from this period.

The platter was given a modest estimate by the auction house of $1,000 to $2,000; however, it quickly flew past the high estimate and eventually sold for $6,875 including the buyer's premium.

This is a great piece of pottery, and a welcome addition to just about any private or museum collection. There were other examples of red earthenware in this auction, as well, which included a few more platters that may have also been manufactured in eastern Pennsylvania.

Note: Here is a link to the full auction catalog, which includes a wide variety of Americana as well as fine art.

Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Platter

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Platter

Likely Made in SE PA, Possibly in Philadelphia

Measures 18 1/2" Long

Sold: $6,875 Including Buyer's Premium

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Freeman's Auction

Another View of the Platter

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Photo Courtesy: Freeman's Auction

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

A Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Cow Just Discovered in Southern Maine

I have previously written about two red earthenware animal figures that I acquired in Maine in the last two years; the first was a slip-decorated cow that I purchased from Nan Gurley's collection in Parsonfield, Maine in September 2016. I then found a slip-decorated lamb in October 2017 inside an antique shop in southern Maine that was likely from the same manufacturer.

These objects don't appear to have served a household function. The only purpose that I can see is for a whimsical decoration or possibly even a child's toy.

After I wrote about these objects, I learned about two additional related objects owned privately in Pennsylvania and Ontario. Although, I had speculated that these well-made objects could have been manufactured in Canada in the late-nineteenth or early-twentieth century, based on the color of the glaze, the color of the slip and the color of the clay. These characteristics are commonly found on red earthenware manufactured in eastern Canada, especially Nova Scotia during the same period.

Nonetheless, I revisited the antique shop in southern Maine this past weekend, where I had discovered the lamb last fall, and I was surprised to see a slip-decorated red earthenware cow, likely from the same manufacturer, sitting on a wooden shelf in the back of the same dealer's crowded space. My guess is that I either missed the cow last fall or it was brought into the shop once the lamb sold. Either way, both objects probably retain some type of history together in Maine.

Note: I may be wrong, but seeing that I know about five related pieces today, and the fact that three retain histories of ownership in Maine (and another in Ontario), likely better supports my theory that these objects may have been manufactured in Canada. I have also searched through a number of museum collections, as well as auction results and I have not been able to find any other related pieces.

Collection of Red Earthenware Animal Figures

Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Animal Figures

All Retain Histories of Ownership in Maine

Possibly Circa Late-19th or Early-20th Century

Possibly Manufactured in Canada

See Article for More Information

Slip-Decorated Red Earthenare Cow Just Discovered in Southern Maine

Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Cow Just Discovered in Southern Maine

Possibly Circa Late-19th or Early-20th Century

Measures 3 7/8" Long

Possibly Manufactured in Canada

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Cow

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View of the Cow's Face

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View of the Base

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

The Red Earthenware Made at the McCully Pottery in Trenton, New Jersey, circa 1780-1852

Yesterday, I posted an article about an important circa 1793 sgraffito red earthenware plate that was made by Phillip Durell in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. The plate was inscribed, "Manufacture by/Phillip Durell/October 27th 1793." But I also referenced another successful eighteenth century New Jersey potter from Trenton, Joseph McCully, Sr. (1757-1820) who I would like to further elaborate about today.

I cited a paragraph from a book yesterday that stated McCully established his pottery about 1780 - and despite his death in 1820, the business remained in operation until the mid-nineteenth century.

According to the 'Encyclopedia of New Jersey,' "Red earthenware vessels, including sturdy plates, milk pans, and jugs made of local clay, were produced throughout New Jersey from the earliest European occupation to fill common household and dairy needs. Sites of significant production include Elizabeth, Rahway, Hackensack, and Trenton. 

During the early 1800s, the potteries of John Mann in Rahway and Edward Griffith in Elizabeth were particularly important. They specialized in making black and red glazed teapots by pressing clay into molds.

In Trenton, Joseph McCully and his nephew, also Joseph McCully (1771-1857) operated a redware pottery from the late eighteenth century until 1852."

There is not a lot known about the McCully Pottery's production today, but some objects are properly connected to this business based on a stamp that was intermittently applied in production. The mark reads, "J. McCULLY / TRENTON." However, I am not familiar if this mark was used by both McCullys since the published marked objects, which I know about (i.e. museum and auction records) are typically attributed to the life of the business.

Some of the marked pottery manufactured by the McCullys are exciting since they were decorated with slip-decoration, and some of the slip styles even resemble wares manufactured in Pennsylvania in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Although, it can also likely be assumed that this business manufactured all the typical forms associated with utilitarian red earthenware production after the American Revolution.

Nonetheless, last summer, I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, where I viewed two objects stamped with the McCully mark. One object is a platter decorated with some manganese, and the second object is a plate adorned in a wonderful slip-decoration.

Note: It should be taken into consideration that black-glazed wares were also likely regularly produced at the McCully Pottery based on the platter owned by the MET, which is decorated with manganese. But I also assume that a variety of glazes and slip designs  must have been produced at this business during the circa 1780-1852 period.

Red Earthenware from the McCully Pottery in Trenton, NJ

(Far Right) 18th/19th Century Red Earthenware Platter

Made at the McCully Pottery in Trenton, NJ

Stamped Three Times with the Company Mark "J. McCULLY / TRENTON"

Circa 1780-1852

Measures 12 1/2" by 19 3/4"

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art 

18th/19th Century Red Earthenware Platter

Made at the McCully Pottery in Trenton, NJ

Stamped with the Company Mark "J. McCULLY / TRENTON"

Circa 1780-1852

Measures 11 1/2" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art

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

18th Century Sgraffito Red Earthenware Plate Made in Elizabethtown, New Jersey

I recently posted an article that examined the circa 1811-1867 red earthenware production that occurred just outside of New York City in River Edge, New Jersey. For various reasons, this production is important, which include the manufacture of slip-script red earthenware plates that can be misinterpreted for production made elsewhere today.

This business was established by Henry Jacob Van Saun (1755-1829) about 1811, but George Wolfkiel (1805-1867) was responsible for much of the slip-script production after 1830. Wolfkiel had relocated from Franklin County, Pennsylvania, which is where he may have been first introduced to the utilitarian pottery industry.

However, while researching River Edge's production, I was really surprised to find an eighteenth century sgraffito red earthenware plate that is currently owned by the Newark Museum in Newark, New Jersey. This plate was made by Phillip Durell in Elizabethtown, New Jersey in 1793, and it is inscribed, "Manufacture by / Phillip Durell / October 27th 1793."

The style of decoration found on this plate is largely identified with eastern Pennsylvania today from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Until I saw this object, I had never seen a sgraffito plate associated with New Jersey's red earthenware production. Although, Crocker Farm did sell an inscribed circa 1824 red earthenware inkwell in Sparks, Maryland in May 2015 that was attributed to New Jersey. But that object was much different than this plate.

According to a book written in 2005 by Barbara J. Mitnick, 'New Jersey in the American Revolution,' "Until the end of the eighteenth century, New Jersey was known first for redware pottery, made from red earthenware. Eighteenth century redware pieces were often glazed only on the inside of such kitchen objects as plates, platters and bowls, so that grease and liquids would not penetrate. Some examples contained incised decoration or ornamental designs usually painted in a yellow, white, or green liquid called slip. Examples of redware businesses started in the late eighteenth century are those of Joseph McCully, Sr. (1757-1820) in Trenton, New Jersey, beginning in 1780, and Phillip Durell of about 1781 (or earlier) in Elizabethtown, New Jersey."

I have not been able to prove a relationship, but a potter by the name of Jonathan Durell (business active ca. 1753-1806) operated a red earthenware pottery in New York City in the eighteenth and early-nineteenth centuries. He was a Philadelphia-trained potter, who advertised his New York City wares as equal to what was made in Philadelphia. I don't want to get into too much detail about his production today since his business is included in a feature story that I have written about New York City's locally produced and imported domestic red earthenware, which will be published soon in Maine Antique Digest. But it would be interesting to learn if there is a relationship between the two Durell potters, and if this type of sgraffito production from Phillip Durell in New Jersey can be traced back to Philadelphia.

Note: It should be noted that Elizabethtown, New Jersey is located about 15 miles outside of New York City. I would also assume that some of this production was likely intended for the New York City market.

Elizabethtown, NJ Sgraffito Red Earthenware Plate

18th Century Sgraffito Red Earthenware Plate

Made by Phillip Durell in Elizabethtown, NJ

Dated "October 27th 1793"

Measures 13 3/4" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Newark Museum

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

The Decorative Red Earthenware Made at the Goodwin Brothers Pottery in West Hartford, Connecticut, Circa 1877-1885

Yesterday, I posted an article that began to examine some of the red earthenware manufactured in West Hartford, Connecticut in the late-eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. This early production established a red earthenware industry that was still producing pottery into the late-1800s. But this is also an area of production that deserves a lot more attention today, and it can be overlooked for the local nineteenth century stoneware industry.

For instance, I have witnessed a group of painted decorative nineteenth century red earthenware objects that sold at auction over the last ten years accompanied with a generic American-made attribution. Although, many of these objects were manufactured at utilitarian potter's businesses during the circa 1875-1900 period. But this is also an aspect in the history of American pottery, which in some ways has been neglected in comparison to the earlier red earthenware and stoneware production, as well as the manufacture of art pottery, afterwards.

Some of the objects that I just referenced were sold by auction houses in New York, and at the time, I wondered if they could have been made in West Hartford. But I also knew that not a lot of information is documented about this later production today; whereas, it would probably be beneficial to research this brand of production if you happen to own one of these type of objects.

Nonetheless, I discovered this hand-thrown painted nineteenth century red earthenware vase that I posted below in a shop in Connecticut three-or-four years ago. At the time, I knew it was American-made, but I did not know where it was made.

However, I recently came across an old photograph (see below) that is owned today by the Connecticut Museum of History. This image demonstrates the type of decorative wares made at the Goodwin Brothers Pottery in West Hartford, circa 1877-1885. I immediately noticed a matching formed vase marked with the number 20 on the bottom left row. Some of the forms in this photograph also appear to be inspired after ancient production.

According to the West Hartford Historical Society, "Early on, grist saw, and carding mills along with blacksmith shops, tanneries and general stores emerged around the (West Hartford) community to support and help drive agriculture. One of the first major industries to arise centered on the pottery and brick works. Extending from Hartford to Berlin is a sizable deposit of fine clay. In 1770, Ebenezer Faxon came from Massachusetts and settled in what would become the Elmwood section of West Hartford. There he established a pottery on South Road (what is today New Britain Avenue) which took advantage of the local geographical landscape. It was Seth Goodwin, however, who helped to establish a pottery dynasty. Goodwin started his pottery works around 1798. For over a hundred years, the Goodwin name would be associated with West Hartford Pottery. Producing utilitarian items such as jugs for the gin manufactured in local distilleries, to terra cotta designs and fine china, the Goodwin Company employed up to 75 people in its heyday. The Goodwin Brothers Pottery Company (as it came to be known) burned for the third time in 1908 and never recovered."

Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins also wrote about the Goodwin Brothers Pottery when 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares' was published in 1950: "Seth Goodwin's nephew, Harvey Goodwin, born in 1802, (also) became a potter. His first venture was in (nearby) Torrington, Connecticut (possibly Goshen), where he lived for four years. Returning to West Hartford, he worked for his uncle until 1832 (producing red earthenware), then started an enterprise of his own. This pottery ran until 1870 under his management and was carried on in its later days by his sons Harvey Burdett Goodwin and Wilbur Elmore Goodwin as 'Goodwin Bros.' Their shop stood on the south side of New Britain Avenue just east of the railroad tracks (in West Hartford)."

Note: Here is a link to an excellent 38 minute presentation with plenty of visuals by Dave Corrigan, curator of the Connecticut Museum of History, where he explores the history of the Goodwin Brothers Pottery in West Hartford, Connecticut.

Examples of Goodwin Brothers Production in West Hartford, CT

Examples of Decorative Red Earthenware Made at the Goodwin Brothers Pottery in Hartford, CT

The Vase Posted Below Matches the Object Marked "20" on the Bottom Left Row

Circa 1877-1885

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Connecticut Museum of History

Red Earthenware Vase Discoverd in Connecticut

 19th Century Red Earthenware Vase Attributed to the Goodwin Brothers Pottery in Hartford, CT

The Paint is Likely Not Original, But Definitely Old

Vase Matches Object Marked "20" on the Bottom Left Row Illustrated in the Photograph Above

Circa 1877-1885

Stands 10 5/8" Tall

See Article for More Information

View of the Base

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

The Red Earthenware Made at the Goodwin and Seymour Potteries in West Hartford, Connecticut

The red earthenware manufactured in the tightly knit neighborhood of West Hartford, Connecticut in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries is an industry that deserves a lot more attention today. It is also an industry that can be overshadowed by the local nineteenth century stoneware production, which came after the Goodwin and Seymour potteries began producing red earthenware.

The slip-decorated wares produced at Nathaniel Seymour's (1763-1849) Pottery are well-recognized today by collectors and museums - for instance, examples of Seymour's production were published in 1950 by Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins in 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares,' as well as a feature story published by the American Folk Art Museum in New York City in 2002/2003.

According to the American Folk Art Museum, "There was a saying, "There's no mud like West Hartford mud." Its gluey clay stuck fast to boots, shoes and stockings. West Hartford's first settler, Stephen Hosmer complained about the knee deep mire (mud). Hosmer settled in the West Division, as it was then called, in the year 1679. His observation about the characteristic quality about this abundant local resource, though an annoyance to some, was surely recognized and capitalized upon. 

This led to the establishment of at least two potteries in the late eighteenth century and as many as five by the mid-nineteenth century. This is a significant number considering the small geographic area that is West Hartford. 

Ebenezer Faxon established the first (known) pottery in the area, on the south road, in the year 1770. Faxon was followed by Nathaniel Seymour, who built his kiln about 1790. Seymour was thoroughly convinced that from Connecticut's clay alone pottery could be made as good as any in the world. Seymour also produced stoneware, but his earliest production consisted of slip decorated red earthenware."

West Hartford, CT Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Flask

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

Attributed to Nathaniel Seymour's Pottery in West Hartford, CT

Illustrated in Figure 32 in 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares'

Also Illustrated in a Feature Story Published by the American Folk Art Museum in 2002/2003

Circa 1790-1830

Stands 6 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: The National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian

However, I wonder if some of the slip-decorated wares attributed to the Seymour Pottery could have also been produced at Thomas O'Hara Goodwin's (1796-1880) Pottery in the 1800s. If that's the case, then there could be an attribution issue with some of the objects that are said to have been made at Seymour's business.

For example, it is known today that Goodwin applied slip on some of his production, which is evident based on a slip-script red earthenware plate owned by the Connecticut Historical Society. The plate is inscribed, "Thomas / Goodwin / West Hartford, CT." But there are also simpler matching slip-decorated plates known today that are regularly attributed to the Seymour Pottery. As a result, a safer attribution with some of these objects may be a more generalized "West Hartford" attribution.

Interestingly, the following early-to-mid nineteenth century red earthenware jar is attributed to Thomas O'Hara Goodwin's Pottery in West Hartford by the Connecticut Historical Society. Impressed across the front of the jar is "WEST HARTFORD." But for those of you familiar with this form, then you may realize that this form is also found today with slip-decoration similar to the flask above, which is almost always attributed to Nathaniel Seymour.

I'm curious to know if similar forms were produced at both of these businesses since they were located so close to each other. Although, I'm also interested to know if the use slip was produced in similar styles at both businesses.

Note: I will revisit this subject in the next two weeks - I'm lucky to have acquired a wonderful large red earthenware jar that was just discovered in Arkansas. The form of this jar closely resembles a jar that is owned today by the Connecticut Historical Society, which is stamped with Thomas O'Hara Goodwin's mark.

West Hartford, CT Red Earthenware Jar

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar

Attributed to Thomas O'Hara Goodwin's Pottery in West Hartford, CT

But this Form with Slip is also Often Attributed to Nathaniel Seymour's Pottery in West Hartford, CT

Circa Early-to-Mid 19th Century

Stands 9" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Connecticut Historical Society

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