A Comparison of Red Earthenware Jars, One of Which is Known to Have Been Made in Vermont in the 1800s

As I wrote in an article posted earlier today, "Over the weekend, Skinner sold an important lifelong collection of Vermont-made red earthenware at their auction gallery on Park Plaza in Boston, which was largely assembled decades ago. Many of these objects retain excellent provenances in Vermont, some even possessing early histories of ownership. I was actually quite impressed handling all of these objects during the preview this past Friday, seeing that many of the pieces had masking tape adhered to the base, describing how they were originally found."

This is another one of the jars that sold at the Skinner, attributed to Vermont, and it's form is very similar to another jar that I have always felt could have been made in Vermont. The handles were obviously manufacturered differently, and as well as the rims, but otherwise the streaking glazes, overall form and size of the jars seem like they could be related. I believe the jar in question also retains some kind of history of ownership in northern New England.

Comparison of Red Earthenware Jars

 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to Vermont

Stands 9 1/4" Tall

Measures 10" in Diameter

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Very Possibly Made in Vermont

Stands 12 1/2" Tall

Measures 12" in Diameter

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Photo Courtesy: Antiques Associates at West Townsend

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Remarkable Slip-Script Red Earthenware Plate from Goshen, Connecticut Owned by the Litchfield Historical Society

While visiting the 2018 Antiques Dealers Association Historic Deerfield Show in Hartford, Connecticut a few weeks ago, I viewed this exceptional example of Hervey Brooks' slip-script red earthenware production from Goshen, Connecticut, owned by the Litchfield, Connecticut Historical Society. This rare plate survives in remarkable condition, with the inscription "Goshen 1848."

According to the Connecticut Historical Society, "Hervey Brooks was an American potter and farmer who made red earthenware in Goshen for more than one half century. His production provided domestic wares for an isolated countryside and contributed to an informal system of sales, barter and trade that characterized the rural economy of the period. While few records of this trade exist, Brooks left behind extensive documentation of his business transactions and daily responsibilities that provide historians a unique look at the life of a nineteenth century farmer-potter.

The life of a farmer-potter meant that Brooks did not have the luxury of spending all his time perfecting his craft. In fact, from 1828 until 1864 Brooks only fired his kiln one day per year because life on the farm also involved sawing lumber, blacksmithing, carpentry, and a host of other responsibilities that kept him from his pottery.

When Brooks passed away in 1873, he left behind account books and day books. He also left a largely intact manufacturing facility that provided archaeologists with new insight into the tools, materials and processes that went into his production of red earthenware."

Slip-Script Red Earthenware Plate from Goshen, CT

19th Century Slip-Script Red Earthenware Plate

Made by Hervey Brooks in Goshen, CT

Inscribed "Goshen 1848"

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Photo Courtesy: Litchfield, CT Historical Society

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19th Century Green-Glazed Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to Vermont Recently Acquired on Long Island

In keeping with most of the articles that I have already posted today about Vermont-made red earthenware, this is a jar I acquired a few weeks ago, while visiting a prominent collection of pottery on Long Island. In fact, many of the local pieces in this collection have been previously published in Ceramics in America.

But this jar is actually believed to have been made in Vermont; to my knowledge, I believe it was also purchased years ago in Vermont.

Nevertheless, the form of this jar is very-well executed, but I really enjoy the dark green glaze on the exterior, combined with the contrasting colorful interior glaze. This glaze pattern is a style found with some wares manufactured in Vermont, as is the sharp angle applied below the rim.

Vermont Red Earthenware Jar

 19th Century Green-Glazed Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to Vermont

Retains Past History in Vermont

Stands 9 3/4" Tall

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 View of the Interior Glaze

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 Another View of the Interior Glaze

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View of the Base

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19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Found Near the Site of the New Haven, Vermont Pottery

As I wrote in an article also posted today, "Over the weekend, Skinner sold an important lifelong collection of Vermont-made red earthenware at their auction gallery on Park Plaza in Boston, which was largely assembled decades ago. Many of these objects retain excellent provenances in Vermont, some even possessing early histories of ownership. I was actually quite impressed handling all of these objects during the preview this past Friday, seeing that many of the pieces had masking tape adhered to the base, describing how they were originally found."

This jar was among that collection, and sold in a group lot of five pieces of red earthenware, all of which were highly likely made in Vermont in the 1800s. However, the information attached to the base of this jar has provided more information about its likely origin. This information has also been extremely helpful in determining the origin of two jars I own, which I have always speculated were manufactured in Vermont.

The two jars from my collection both retain histories of ownership in Vermont, but I have always lacked the physical evidence (i.e. archaeology, museum pieces, etc.)  to say that is where they were also made. But the jar that sold at Skinner appears to be from the same potter's business or location, exhibiting very similar handles, among other characteristics, such as the way the base was manufactured.

According to the information attached to this jar's base, "8-25-84 Bought out of house New Haven VT 1/2 mile from site New Haven Pottery."

Red Earthenware Jar Found in New Haven, VT

 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar

Likely Made in New Haven, VT

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

 View of One of the Handles

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

 Another View of One of the Handles

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

 View of the Interior Glaze

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

View of the Base and the Information Adhered to the Base

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

Red Earthenware Jars with Histories of Ownership in Vermont

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

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 View of Two of the Handles

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 View of the Other Two Handles

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View of the Interior

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An Important Collection of Red Earthenware Made in Vermont in the 1800s

Over the weekend, Skinner sold an important lifelong collection of Vermont-made red earthenware at their auction gallery on Park Plaza in Boston, which was largely assembled decades ago. Many of these objects retain excellent provenances in Vermont, some even possessing early histories of ownership. I was actually quite impressed handling all of these objects during the preview this past Friday, seeing that many of the pieces had masking tape adhered to the base, describing how they were originally found.

For example, I was intrigued by a red earthenware plate in the sale, which was attributed to East Middlebury, Vermont. The form and glaze were very simple, but plates are rare to find from country red earthenware potters in northern New England today. The information adhered to the base read, "Found unused behind a beam in Addison, Vermont house built in 1810, dismantled in 1972."

However, a small red earthenware jar was certainly the most unusual object in the sale, attributed to Caleb Wright (1810-1896), a potter and farmer in New Haven, Vermont, and inscribed on the base "Mary W. Brewster."

Another object of interest was lot number 291, a beautiful multi-colored red earthenware jar that had been badly damaged and repaired. This type of jar and decoration is regularly attributed to Maine today, but this is actually a type of production from Vermont. I also consider this type of glaze to be one of the more prolific brands of production found in Vermont in the 1800s.

Nevertheless, this article should prove to be a good reference for how many of the wares manufactured in Vermont appeared - this does not represent all production, although this collection is likely the best resource of Vermont wares ever sold publicly. I also consider this to be the most comprehensive collection of Vermont-made red earthenware ever published in a book or auction catalog.

Lot No. 291

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Made in Vermont

This Type of Decoration and Form is Commonly Attributed to Maine Today

Stands 10" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

Lot No. 292

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to Vermont

Stands 10" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

Lot No. 293

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to East Middlebury, VT

Stands 9 1/2" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

Lot No. 299

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to Caleb Wright in New Haven, VT

Base Inscribed "Mary W. Brewster"

Stands 3 1/4" Tall

 See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Skinner

View of the Inscribed Base

Inscribed "Mary W. Brewster"

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

Lot No. 303

Collection of 19th Century Red Earthenware All Probably Made in Vermont

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

 View of Black-Glazed Jar Top Middle

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

 View of the Handle

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

 Another View of the Handle

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

 View of the Interior Glaze

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

Information Adhered to the Base

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

Lot No. 304

Collection of 19th Century Red Earthenware Pots Attributed to Vermont

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

Lot No. 1174

Collection of 19th Century Red Earthenware Objects Attributed to Vermont

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

Lot No. 1177

Three 19th Century Red Earthenware Jugs Attributed to East Middlebury, VT

Tallest Stands 8" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

 Another View of the Jugs

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

Information Adhered to the Base of the Largest Jug

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

Lot No. 1178

Three 19th Century Red Earthenware Objects Attributed to East Middlebury, VT

Tallest Stands 8" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

Lot No. 1180

Two 19th Century Red Earthenware Jars Attributed to East Middlebury, VT

Tallest Stands 4 1/4" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

Lot No. 1181

Three 19th Century Red Earthenware Jars Attributed to East Middlebury, VT

Tallest Stands 10 1/2" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

 View of the Jar Pictured to the Left

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

 View of the Jar Pictured in the Middle

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

View of the Jar Pictured to the Left

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

Lot No. 1182

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to East Middlebury, VT

Tallest Stands 10 1/4" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

Lot No. 1183

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to East Middlebury, VT

Tallest Stands 10 3/4" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

Lot No. 1184

19th Century Red Earthenware Flowerpots Likely Made in Vermont

Tallest Stands 7 1/2" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

Lot No. 1187

Four 19th Century Red Earthenware Objects Attributed to East Middlebury, VT

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

Lot No. 1188

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to East Middlebury, VT

Stands 3 1/2" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

Lot No. 1189

19th Century Red Earthenware Plate Attributed to East Middlebury, VT

Measures 10" in Diameter

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

 Another View of the Plate

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

Information Adhered to the Base

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

Lot No. 1190

Two 19th Century Red Earthenware Jugs Attributed to Vermont

Tallest Stands 8 1/2" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

Lot No. 1191

19th Century Red Earthenware Shaving Mug Attributed to East Middlebury, VT

Measures 3 3/4" in Diameter

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

Lot No. 1283

Two 19th Century Red Earthenware Jars Made in Vermont

Black-Glazed Jugs Likely Not Made in Vermont

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Photo Courtesy: Skinner

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