Recently Discovered Red Earthenware Pitcher from Prince Edward Island in Canada

Living along coastal central New England, I have always wanted to acquire for my collection a nice nineteenth century lead glazed red earthenware pitcher from Prince Edward Island. But from my experience, these type of objects are quite difficult to find today. However, I was just fortunate to acquire this two-colored pitcher, which is what I believe to be one of the better forms made on Prince Edward Island, especially with the banded decoration applied around the body of the pitcher.

According to information posted by Paul Slater in an Antique Canadian Pottery Group on Facebook, "The PEI Pottery was established in early 1880 by Frederick W. Hyndman as a business venture (he wasn't a potter by trade, but rather was listed as an insurance agent in the 1881 census). He hired Oswald Hornsby to supervise the construction of the pottery site and to become its foreman. 

The pottery produced a variety of red earthenware pieces, from traditional containers to whimsies. But unfortunately the business struggled early on due to the small size of the local market, as well as cheap English imports, so by October 1885 Hyndman listed the business for sale. 

In July 1886, with no buyers having stepped forward, Hyndman leased the pottery to Hornsby and another partner. Hornsby remained at the helm until leaving in 1896/97 when his son Frank took over; however, by early 1898 the pottery closed its doors permanently."

Matching pitchers were also published in 2014 when a book written by Catherine G. Hennessey was published, titled Prince Edward Island Pottery Company - furthermore, this link will also redirect you to a number of PEI objects owned by the Prince Edward Island Museum.

Note: This pitcher was just discovered in Pennsylvania, and I will post better pictures once it arrives later this week.

Prince Edward Island Red Earthenware Pitcher

 19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher Decorated with Two Glaze Colors and Banded Decoration

Attributed to the Prince Edward Island Pottery Company

Circa 1880-1898

Stands 7 3/4" Tall

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 Another View of the Pitcher

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 Another View of the Pitcher

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 View of the Applied Banded Decoration

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 View of the Handle

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View of the Base

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

Remarkable Examples of Slip-Script Just Recovered from a Privy on Staten Island in New York City

Last fall, a feature story I wrote titled The Red Earthenware Available in the 18th and 19th Centuries in New York City was published in the October 2018 issue of Maine Antique Digest. The story included some terrific examples of nineteenth century slip-script red earthenware found in various contexts throughout New York City, most of which had been imported from River Edge, New Jersey, Long Island and Norwalk, Connecticut. But the story also illustrated some great pieces of archaeology, representing locally made pottery in the eighteenth century.

I recently learned about these two incredible nineteenth century slip-script dishes that were just recovered from a privy by Scott Jordan, Maribelle Costes and Dan McGee within a circa 1835-45 context on Staten Island in New York City. The script on both of these objects is incredibly rare: the first reading "Earthen Ware Here," suggesting that it was probably an advertising piece, and the second reads "Good Morning Ladies." 

I cannot recall having ever seen either of these inscriptions before, and they likely represent the type of production that was shipped from River Edge, New Jersey and Huntington, Long Island to New York City in the 1800s.

Interestingly, the "Earthen Ware Here" dish really piques my interesting, seeing that it was highly unlikely not made on Staten Island, and it may have been an object used by a merchant to sell wares. This may have been a special order piece that a merchant had requested from the pottery business, which was then hung in a storefront window, proclaiming to prospective clients the type of wares that were sold inside the store. This is really a great piece of Staten Island history.

The plate inscribed "Good Morning Ladies" may have been made by John Betts Gregory (1782-1842) in Huntington, Long Island, who was also employed in Norwalk, Connecticut and Clinton, New York.

Slip-Script Red Earthenware Recovered on Staten Island in NYC

 19th Century Slip-Script Red Earthenware Dish

Inscribed "Earthen Ware Here"

Likely Made in River Edge, NJ or Huntington, Long Island

Recovered from a Circa 1835-45 Context on Staten Island in NYC

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Photo Courtesy: Scott Jordan, Maribelle Costes and Dan McGee

 19th Century Slip-Script Red Earthenware Dish

Inscribed "Good Morning Ladies"

Possibly Made by John Betts Gregory in Huntington, Long Island

Recovered from a Circa 1835-45 Context on Staten Island in NYC

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Photo Courtesy: Scott Jordan, Maribelle Costes and Dan McGee

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

Today's Presentation About the C.A. Lawrence Pottery at the Beverly, Mass. Historical Society

Earlier today, I presented my research from Charles Albert (Solares) Lawrence's (1829-1906) pottery in Beverly, Massachusestts, circa 1866-1906 at a special event held inside the 1781 John Cabot House at the Beverly Historical Society. I have been anticipating this nearly two-hour event for a few months now, which was also recorded so it will be watchable online sometime in the near future. I will provide that information when it becomes available.

But I was also surprised to learn that the great great granddaughter of Charles Lawrence decided to attend, learning new information about the life of Lawrence in the process. For example, it is known that Lawrence was a Portuguese immigrant, but there are really no records that show when he arrived in this country. However, I learned today that Lawrence was actually a stowaway on a ship captained by Israel Putnam from Danvers, Massachusetts, explaining why he arrived in the Beverly area.

It also appears that today's event will continue into the fall with an exhibit of Beverly wares that will be displayed throughout the Beverly Historical Society's homes. Although, that's still in the beginning stages of planning, and I will provide more details once the exhibit is finalized.

Nonetheless, here are a few of the pieces of Beverly pottery that I discussed today, some owned by the museum, and the rest from my private collection. Although, some pieces of Beverly pottery were also brought by those in attendance. All around though today was a great experience!

By the way, check out the original nineteenth century Beverly pottery sign owned by the historical society - it's awesome to see! This was originally published in Lura Woodside Watkins' (1897-1982) book, Early New England Potters and Their Wares, but has not really been displayed in decades.

Objects from the C.A. Lawrence Pottery in Beverly, Mass.

 C.A. Lawrence Pottery Wares and Sign from Beverly, Mass.

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Photo Courtesy: Beverly Historical Society

C.A. Lawrence Pottery Wares, Sherds and Ephemera from Beverly, Mass.

All from My Personal Collection

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Original 19th Century Sign from the Beverly, Mass. Pottery

Illustrated in Figure 5 in Early New England Potters and Their Wares

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Photo Courtesy: Beverly Historical Society

Back of the Sign

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Photo Courtesy: Beverly Historical Society

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

Wonderful 18th Century English Combware Earthenware Dish Found Yesterday in Freeport, Maine

Yesterday I finalized my research while studying the archaeology of lead glazed red earthenware made in North Yarmouth (Yarmouth after 1849), Maine at the Maine Historic Preservation Commission in Augusta, Maine, which I hope will be published sometime later this year. But on my way back to Massachusetts, I stopped at a new antique shop in Freeport, Maine with Maine historian and preservationist Chris Havey.

It was in this shop that I was thrilled to find this wonderful eighteenth century English slipware or combware earthenware dish, a type of production that I have seen found in Colonial archaeological contexts in places like Boston, Charlestown, Massachusetts, Philadelphia, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, among many other sites.

However, it was just last summer that I tried buying a similar dish at Northeast Auctions in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, but was unfortunately outbid. Nevertheless, I'm thrilled with this example.

Overall, this dish survives in remarkable condition; although, it was somehow cleanly broken in two parts many years ago, but the dish was carefully mended back together with staples that can be seen on the back. I also really like this characteristic, which adds quite a bit of history and character to the dish.

Note: Here is a link to an article that I posted last September that shows some related artifacts recovered by Oliver Garland, an antiques dealer from England and Falmouth, Massachusetts, who recently collected the objects while mudlarking on the Thames foreshore in London.

English Slipware or Combware Earthenware Dish

 My Niece Alexis Holding the English Slipware Earthenware Dish

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 18th Century English Slipware or Combware Earthenware Dish

Found Yesterday in Freeport, Maine

Probably Circa 1750-1775

Measures 13" Across

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View of the Back

The Old Mended Staple Repairs are Great

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

Wonderful 19th Century Lead Glazed Red Earthenware Bowl that Sold Last Weekend in Beverly, Massachusetts

Last weekend, this beautiful nineteenth century lead glazed red earthenware bowl sold at Kaminski Auctions in Beverly, Massachusetts. The bowl measures almost eleven-inches in diameter, which may suggest it was used as a punch bowl or otherwise more likely some type of mixing bowl.

It was included in a group lot with some New England utilitarian pots glazed only on the interior, as well as a custard cup and a Pennsylvania slipware plate.

I don't know the provenance of this piece, but the glaze and form seems to suggest that it was probably made in New England, and possibly in Essex County, Massachusetts or New Hampshire.

Although, there was some condition issues, seeing that the bowl was cracked and exhibited a large amount of wear on the interior, but that did not affect its appearance to me considering the beautiful spotted glaze that adorned the exterior.

Wonderful Lead Glazed Red Earthewnare Bowl

 19th Century Lead Glazed Red Earthenware Bowl with Wonderful Glaze

Probably Made in New England

Possibly Made in Essex County, Mass. or New Hampshire

Stands 5" Tall

Measures 10 7/8" in Diameter

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Photo Courtesy: Kaminski Auctions

View of the Interior of the Bowl

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Photo Courtesy: Kaminski Auctions

Group Lot of 19th Century Red Earthenware

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Photo Courtesy: Kaminski Auctions

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A Century Vase from the Union Porcelain Works Owned by the New Jersey State Museum

According to the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., "The American Industrial Revolution transformed the nation from a scattering of isolated communities into an economic and industrial giant, in part due to the country's wealth of natural resources. Forests, minerals, waterways and huge tracts of arable land for farming and ranching provided the raw materials that fueled growth and development, often at the expense of the environment.

The century vases made by Karl Muller at the Union Porcelain Works in Brooklyn, New York celebrate 100 years of American progress and depicts now-vanished icons of the American landscape, such as bison, a wooden reaper, and a steampship."

Furthermore, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan  owns a collection of these vases: "Nationalistic motifs embellish a pair of vases own by the MET designed by sculptor Karl Muller (1820-1887) in honor of America's 1876 Centennial. Native American plants decorate the body and North American bison heads serve as handles. A profile portrait of George Washington embellishes each side, and the six biscuit relief panels around the base depict scenes from American history - among them a minuteman with his cannon, William Penn signing a treaty with Native Americans, and the Boston Tea Party."

While traveling to Philadelphia last week, I visited the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton, New Jersey, where viewed a century vase owned by the museum. I am in awe of these objects every single time I see them, and I was actually surprised to learn that the New Jersey State Museum also owns an example.

According to the New Jersey State Museum, "In 1876, American's celebrated the country's 100th anniversary at the Centennial International Exposition (World's Fair) in Philadelphia. Ceramic companies produced spectacular works for the event, which featured examples of American decorative arts and architecture with Colonial revival flair. Karl Mueller, a Paris-trained German sculptor designed a number of pieces for the Union Porcelain Works' display booth."

Century Vase in the Collection of the New Jersey State Museum

19th Century Porcelain Century Vase in the Collection of the MET

Made at the Union Porcelain Works in Brooklyn, NY

Circa 1876

Stands 12 3/4" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: New Jersey State Museum

Information on Display with the Vase

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Photo Courtesy: New Jersey State Museum

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

Great Earthenware Water Cooler Made by George Ohr Owned by the New Jersey State Museum

According to a feature story written by Bruce Watson for the Smithsonian Magazine in 2004, titled The Mad Potter of Biloxi, "Riding the train south through the deep pine woods of Mississippi in the early 1880s, tourists to the Gulf Coast came to Biloxi for sunshine and surf. Along with its beaches, the little town had its own opera house, white streets paved with crushed oyster shells, and fine seafood. Yet back in those years, there were no casinos as there are now, and not a lot to do besides swim, stroll and eat shrimp. Then, in the 1890s, the town boasted a new tourist attraction, one based on genius or madness, depending on one's point of view.

Just a few blocks from shore, a five-story wooden "pagoda" labeled "BILOXI ART POTTERY" towered above the train tracks that ran across Delauney Street. Approaching it, a visitor saw hand-lettered signs. One read: "Get a Biloxi souvenir, Before the Potter Dies, or Gets a Reputation." Another proclaimed: "Unequaled unrivaled - undisputed - GREATEST ART POTTER ON THE EARTH."

Stepping inside, a curious tourist found a studio overflowing with pots. But they were not your garden variety. These pots featured rims that had been crumpled like the edges of a burlap bag. Alongside them were pitchers that seemed deliberately twisted and vases warped as if melted in the kiln. And colors! In contrast to the boring beiges of Victorian ceramics, these works exploded with color - vivid reds juxtaposed with gunmetal grays; olive greens splattered across bright oranges; royal blues mottled on mustard yellows. The entire studio seemed like some mad potter's hallucination, and standing in the middle of it all was the mad potter himself." 

This image owned by the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. demonstrates the scene described by Watson, where the mad potter, George Ohr (1857-1918) is found sitting in the middle of his studio, overflowing with ceramics. The image is part of a collection of over 25,000 photographs from the Detroit Publishing Company, which was a photographic publishing firm that was established by publisher, William Livingstone (1844-1925) and photographer, Edwin Husher in the late-nineteenth century.

According to the Library of Congress, "The Detroit Publishing Company Collection of photographs includes city and town views, including streets and architecture; parks and gardens; recreation; and industrial and work scenes, such as railroad lines in the 1880s and 1890s. The group also includes views of California, Wyoming and the Canadian Rockies."

Interestingly, shown to the back right of this photograph is a large unglazed earthenware water cooler that may be the same object I viewed last week, while visiting the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton, New Jersey. The water cooler was made by George Ohr, and is creatively marked "BILOXI / ART POTTERY / G.E. OHR."

To my knowledge, this is the only earthenware water cooler like this known from George Ohr today, and thus why I suggest it may be the same water cooler illustrated in this photograph.

Water Cooler Made by George Ohr in Biloxi, MS

 Interior of George Ohr's Pottery Studio in Biloxi, MS

Circa 1901

Detroit Publishing Company Collection

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Photo Courtesy: Library of Congress - Washington, D.C.

(Circled) Unglazed Earthenware Water Cooler

Made by George Ohr in Biloxi, MS

Circa 1900

May be the Same Water Cooler Displayed at the NJ State Museum Today

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Photo Courtesy: Library of Congress - Washington, D.C.

(Right) Earthenware Water Cooler Displayed at the NJ State Museum

Circa 1900

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Photo Courtesy: New Jersey State Museum

Earthenware Water Cooler Displayed at the NJ State Museum

Made by George Ohr in Biloxi, MS

Marked "BILOXI / ART POTTERY / G.E. OHR"

Circa 1900

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Photo Courtesy: New Jersey State Museum

Another View of the Water Cooler

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Photo Courtesy: New Jersey State Museum

View of the Lid
The Acorn Finial is Great!

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Photo Courtesy: New Jersey State Museum

View of the Mark "BILOXI / ART POTTERY / G.E. OHR"

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Photo Courtesy: New Jersey State Museum

Information on Display with the Water Cooler

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Photo Courtesy: New Jersey State Museum

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