An Exciting Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Pot Likely Made in Colonial Philadelphia

This post may seem a little redundant from what I already wrote yesterday; however, after posting the article about the slip-decorated pot pictured to the left below, I learned some very exciting news about its likely early origin. 

I purchased this pot a few months ago from Robesonia, Pennsylvania antiques dealer Greg Kramer; he has owned it for as long as I have known him. Although, both handles were broken long ago, I have always loved this pot because it was not thrown way. It was still used as it always had been, just without the handles. The pot also retains a very old tin lid, which I suspect was made for the pot after its original lid broke.

After I posted the article, I learned from Philadelphia archaeologist Debbie Miller that the pot is very likely from Philadelphia, and it was likely manufactured about 1750. Baltimore collector and historian, Chris Rowell further supported this information when he told us that he has recovered a very similar slip-decorated pot from a mid-eighteenth century privy in Philadelphia.

I was thrilled to learn this information! When I bought this pot, I suspected that it was made in Philadelphia in the late-eighteenth century, but I did not consider the idea that it could represent Philadelphia's colonial red earthenware industry. This is also why archaeology is so important today - without it, this type of exciting information would be very difficult to prove.

Interestingly, as I noted yesterday, I have always enjoyed this type of form, probably because it can be associated with colonial production in places like Philadelphia, Bucks County, among other locations. It is also a form that  is very difficult to find today. And in some cases, this form seems to have been a style that Pennsylvania potters paid special attention to by some of the elaborate slip-decorations that are known today through archaeology, museums and private collections.

Nevertheless, I have posted two other pots that I own in this type of form, including the wonderful slip-decorated pot pictured to the right of the pot that was just discussed.  This pot is somewhat similar to a pot recovered a few years ago by archaeologists at the site of the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, within a colonial eighteenth century archaeological context. Although, the style of this slip and the applied colors was also produced elsewhere in the Mid-Atlantic region during this period.

While I cannot provide specific details about this pot today, I hope I can sometime in 2020, but I do believe its production possibly predates the Revolutionary War. The pot was previously owned by Robert W. de Forest (11848-1931), who devoted a special attention to early American pottery production while he served as a trustee to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan beginning in 1889, and later when he was named president of the museum in 1913. I feel it could easily be displayed today with the MET's collection of American red earthenware.

Two Wonderful Red Earthenware Slip-Decorated Pots

(Left) 18th Century Slip-Decorated Pot Attributed to Philadelphia
Archaeological Evidence Says that it was Likely Made About 1750
Stands 5 3/4" Tall
(Right) Likely 18th Century Red Earthenware Pot Decorated with Profuse Slip-Decoration
Possibly Made Before 1775 in the Mid-Atlantic Region
Stands 5 3/4" Tall
Ex Collection of Emily and Robert W. de Foret of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
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Another View of the Pots

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Another View of the Pots

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Another View of the Pots

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Another View of the Pots

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Another View of the Slip-Decoration

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Another View of the Slip-Decoration

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Another View of the Slip-Decoration

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Another Exciting  Pot Decorated in a Vibrant Colored Glaze

18th or Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Pot with a Vibrant Colored Glaze
Probably Made in Southeastern Pennsylvania
Stands 5 1/2" Tall
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Another View of the Pot

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Another View of the Pot

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

Eighteenth or Early-Nineteenth Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Pot with a Tin Lid

I purchased this eighteenth or early-nineteenth century slip-decorated red earthenware pot a few months ago from Robesonia, Pennsylvania antiques dealer Greg Kramer; he has owned it for as long as I have known him. Although, both handles were broken long ago, I have always loved this pot because it was not thrown way. It was still used as it always had been, just without the handles. The pot also retains a very old tin lid, which I suspect was made for the pot after its original lid broke.

The form of this object is similar to wares manufactured in southeastern Pennsylvania in the eighteenth and early-nineteenth century. The glaze color and style of the slip combined with the form is also found on wares made in other parts of the Mid-Atlantic region.

I have always enjoyed this type of form, probably because it can be associated with colonial production in places like Philadelphia, Bucks County, among other locations. It is also a form that  is very difficult to find today. And in some cases, this form seems to have been a style that Pennsylvania potters paid special attention to by some of the elaborate decorations that are known today through archaeology, museums and private collections.

Here is a link to an article I posted on October 28, 2019 showing a similar formed jar decorated in a very colorful glaze. I have also posted a similar formed and decorated jar from the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, which was gifted to the museum by Robert W. de Forest (1848-1931) only a few years after he died in 1933.

If you look closely, you will notice that there is small traces of green copper decoration on this pot just like that found on the example from the MET.

Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Pot with Tin Lid

18th or Early-19th Century Slip-Decorated Pot Likely Made in Pennsylvania

Possibly Made in Southeastern Pennsylvania

The Pot is Missing its Two Handles

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Another View of the Pot

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View of One of the Broken Handles

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View of the Other Broken Handle

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View of the Tin Lid

This Lid was Probably Made to Replace the the Original Pottery Lid

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Comparable Example in the Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

18th or Early-19th Century Slip-Decorated Pot Made in Pennsylvania

Likely Made in Southeastern Pennsylvania

Gift of Robert W. de Forest in 1933
Stands 7 1/2"  Tall
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Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art

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

A Stoneware Face Jug Found Decades Ago in Pennsylvania

I wrote last weekend that towards the end of each year, I try to go through all of my old pictures that I intended to write something about, but never did, and post an article about the objects that I photographed. This post is another example of that.

At the beginning of last summer, I purchased this cold painted stoneware face jug from Robesonia, Pennsylvania antiques dealer Greg Kramer, which he had owned for sometime, and he recalled it being found decades ago in Pennsylvania. He said he bought it at a local auction in the 1990s, and he thought it was found in the area, as well. I thought it was a really interesting example, and extremely well made in both form and paint.

However,  I have not been able to determine exactly where it was made, thus why I have not written about it. Although, I have thought that its production is similar to a group of painted stoneware face jugs depicting African Americans, reportedly made by a Mr. Nelson in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina in the 1920s, and discovered in the 1990s. These jugs have sold in the past decade through Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland and Wooten & Wooten in Camden, South Carolina, among other places.

The style of the production, the color of the clay and the painted surface also somewhat remind me of face jugs made throughout the twentieth century by the Brown family in Arden, North Carolina. Nonetheless, I have yet to find a matching example. But it was suggested by West Granby, Connecticut antiques dealer, Robert Girouard that this may have been manufactured to be used as a birdhouse. It may have also been made to stand on a fence post.

These pictures were taken while driving to a New York Mets baseball game in June 2019 outside of the American Folk Art Museum's collections and education center in Long Island City, near Queens in New York City.

Stoneware Face Jug Found Decades Ago in Pennsylvania

My Nephew Jason Holding the Face Jug Outside the American Folk Art Museum in New York City

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20th Century American Cold Painted Stoneware Face Jug

Manufacturer Unknown to Me

Similar to Wares Made in North Carolina as Early as the 1920s

Found Decades Ago in Pennsylvania

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Another View of the Face Jug

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View of the Face

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View of the Back

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View of the Base

Possibly Manufactured to be Used as a Birdhouse

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

Willoughby Smith's (1839-1905) Red Earthenware Production in Berks County, Pennsylvania

While scanning through Facebook this morning, I noticed that central Pennsylvania collector, Randy Bohn had posted some really interesting objects last night associated with Willoughby Smith's (1839-1905) nineteenth century red earthenware production in Pennsylvania. Those objects include Smith's stamp used for marking boxes for shipping his wares from his business in Womelsdorf, Berks County, Pennsylvania, such as flowerpots that were purchased by various towns and cities throughout the state.

According to Edwin Atlee Barber's (1851-1916) book, Marks of American Potters, which was published in Smith's lifetime in 1904, "An earthenware pottery was established in Berks County, by John Menner, in 1784, which later passed into the hands of Josiah Beck, and in 1864 was bought by the present owner Willoughby Smith. Ordinary red, slip-decorated ware has been made here for perhaps nearly a century, such as pie plates, flower-pots, apple butter and milk jars. A mark used by Mr. Smith on some of his earlier ware consists of his name and his address impressed into the ware with type or metal die. At present machine-made flower-pots are a speciality at this pottery."

Smith may have trained under the Feeg brothers, Daniel (1818-84) and Joseph (1821-91) who ran the Womelsdorf Pottery in the 1850s, where he worked for a short time before he purchased the pottery in 1864. After the business sold, the brothers continued to produce pottery in another partnership after 1865.

Smith is known for two marks today; the first reading "Willoughby Smith / Womelsdorf," and the second appearing "W. Smith / Womelsdorf." But I have been unable to prove whether Smith marked any of his wares while he worked with the Feegs.

Interestingly, it appears that Smith's flowerpots were in great demand in parts of Pennsylvania in the latter years of the 1800s. For example, published in the February 26, 1885 issue of the Harrisburg (Pennsylvania) Telegraph, it states that "$12.50 cents were paid to Smith between 1881-82 for flowerpots for public grounds." Other publications state that $12.50 was paid by the State of Pennsylvania in 1884-85 for flowerpots, and $10.04 was paid to Smith by the City of Reading for flowerpots in 1898-99. Considering the cost per dozen was likely at most only a few dollars during this period, these orders amounted to a large amount of flowerpots.

Aside from Smith's flowerpot production, his slip-decorated plates are prized among collectors today, especially those that are decorated in multiple colors of slip, and impressed with Smith's mark. Smith also made foods molds, spittoons, banks, jars and jugs, with some of the best examples selling in Lester Breininger's (1935-2011) sale at Pook and Pook Auctions in Downington, Pennsylvania in 2011.

When Smith unexpectedly passed away in 1905, his obituary read in part, "Mrs. N.P. Coldren, of Newmanstown, this county, has received in the death at  Womelsdorf of her father, Willoughby Smith, aged 66 years. He died very suddenly from the effects of a stroke of apoplexy. He was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church. Deceased was engaged in the pottery business for 41 years. He served as councilman and school director for several terms."

Willoughby Smith's (1839-1905) Red Earthenware Production in Berks County, Pennsylvania

19th Century Stamp Used by Willoughby Smith in Womelsdorf, PA

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Photo Courtesy: Randy Bohn

Another View of the Stamp

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Photo Courtesy: Randy Bohn

Willoughby Smith Trade Card

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Photo Courtesy: Randy Bohn

Receipt Signed by Willoughby Smith Selling Various Red Earthenware Forms

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Photo Courtesy: Randy Bohn

1880 United States Federal Census Citing Willoughby Smith as a Potter

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19th Century Flowerpot Made by Willoughby Smith in Womelsdorf, PA

The Base is Stamped "W. SMITH / WOMELSDORF"

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Photo Courtesy: Randy Bohn

View of the Stamp, "W. SMITH / WOMELSDORF"

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Photo Courtesy: Randy Bohn

 19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Flowerpot

Attributed to Willoughby Smith in Womelsdorf, PA

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Photo Courtesy: Randy Bohn

 19th Century Flowerpots Made by Willoughby Smith in Womelsdorf, PA

The Bases are Stamped "W. SMITH / WOMELSDORF"

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Photo Courtesy: Randy Bohn

View of the Stamp, "W. SMITH / WOMELSDORF"

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Photo Courtesy: Randy Bohn

Willoughby Smith's Flowerpot Sample Kit and Carrying Case

Lester Breininger Collection

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Photo Courtesy: Pook & Pook

 19th Century Two-Colored Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Plate

The Base is Stamped "W. SMITH / WOMELSDORF"

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 View of the Stamp, "W. SMITH / WOMELSDORF"

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 19th Century Red Earthenware Food Mold

Attributed to Willoughby Smith in Womelsdorf, PA

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 View of the Base

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Willoughby Smith's (1839-1905) Gravestone

Buried in Union Cemetery in Womelsdorf, Berks County, PA

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

An Unusual 19th Century Northern New England Red Earthenware Jar Supposedly Used for Honey

Currently displayed at the Maine State Museum in Augusta, Maine is a one-pint nineteenth century red earthenware preserve pot that descended in the Webber family, and is attributed to the Webber Pottery in Hebron (Oxford), Maine, circa 1818-61. Here is a link to an article that I posted on July 10, 2018, which shows that jar.

However, there was also a Webber Pottery that operated in Alfred, Maine in the nineteenth century. According to Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins' (18922-1982) book, Early New England Potters and Their Wares, "Joshua Emery started the Alfred, Maine pottery in 1791. At some point before 1805 he moved to Windham, Maine, and later to Gorham, Maine, where he ran a gristmill. He was followed in 1805 by Daniel Holmes, whose pottery stood opposite of the Alfred meetinghouse. Either the shop itself or the business was reportedly moved north, and under the ownership of Porter Lambert, it was nearly opposite the courthouse. 

The Lambert shop was behind the buildings that composed the Berry Tavern. When the inn was being demolished in 1938, we visited the site finding numerous fragments, but none of any significance (these sherds are owned by the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. today). This tavern was bought in 1832 by General Samuel Leighton, who, in his diary, facetiously refers to it as his 'pot stable.' Porter Lambert was working there as early as 1825.

Thus came a close to the Lambert Pottery. General Leighton makes a note that Porter Lambert died the morning of August 9, 1839. When Leighton bought the property, Lambert was in business with his son-in-law Albert Webber. The Executive Documents Relative to the Manufacturers in the United States record that they made annually earthenware of various kinds worth five-hundred dollars. They employed two men at seventy-five-cents a day and sold all their output in Maine. Albert Webber is remembered by persons now living (1930s). After the pottery in Alfred came to an end he opened a shop in North Yarmouth, Maine."

1. Joshua Emery, Circa 1791-1804/1805
2. Daniel Holmes, Circa 1805-1820's
3. Porter Lambert, Circa 1825-1839
4. Albert Webber, Circa 1832-1840s
5. Paul Webber, Circa 1832-1840s

While attending Peter Mavris' antiques show yesterday in Hampton, New Hampshire, I purchased this highly unusual nineteenth century red earthenware jar from Stephen Corrigan of Stephen-Douglas Antiques in Rockingham, Vermont, which was previously owned by Jeff Noordsy in Middlebury, Vermont. The jar retains a highly unusual original lid, but it also includes an old note that reads, "Honey Jar from the Webber family." It is decorated in a beautiful variegated green glaze that displays different colors depending on the light. I suspect this jar was manufactured in Maine, and it may very well have been made by one of the Webber family potters in Alfred, Hebron (Oxford) or North Yarmouth. Here is also a link to a research article I wrote for the November 2019 issue of Maine Antique Digest, titled, "The North Yarmouth, Maine, Pottery Industry, 1791-1890."

I have also posted pictures of some sherds collected at the site of the Alfred pottery around Daniel Holmes' barn by Maine historian Matthew Anson.

Northern New England Red Earthenware Jar with Original Lid

My Niece Alexis Holding the Northern New England Red Earthenware Jar

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The Jar Retains an Old Handwritten Note

 The Note Reads, "Honey Jar from the Webber family"

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 19th Century Northern New England Red Earthenware Jar Retaining its Original Lid

Attributed to Northern New England, Likely Made in Maine

Possibly Made by a Potter from the Webber Family in Maine

Stands 8 7/8" Tall

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 Another View of the Jar

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  Another View of the Jar

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 View of the Lid

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 Another View of the Lid

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Another View of the Lid

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Sherds Collected in Alfred, Maine

 Sherd Collected Around Daniel Holmes' Barn in Alfred, ME
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Photo Courtesy: Matthew Anson

 Sherds Collected Around Daniel Holmes' Barn in Alfred, ME
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Photo Courtesy: Matthew Anson

 Sherds Collected Around Daniel Holmes' Barn in Alfred, ME
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Photo Courtesy: Matthew Anson

  Sherds Collected Around Daniel Holmes' Barn in Alfred, ME
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Photo Courtesy: Matthew Anson

 Sherds Collected Around Daniel Holmes' Barn in Alfred, ME
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Photo Courtesy: Matthew Anson

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

Excellent American 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar with Mocha-Like Design Possibly from Pennsylvania

It was just about a year ago that I purchased an absolutely incredible nineteenth century western New York red earthenware jar from the collection of Massachusetts antiques dealer Sam Herrup, which was previously owned by Garrison Stradling and New York archaeologist and museum specialist George Hamell. That jar was decorated in a style regularly found on English mochaware during the period. In case you missed it, here is a link to the article I posted on December 5, 2018 showing that remarkable jar.

However, this is another jar that I have always thought was a prized piece of nineteenth century American red earthenware, which I cherish every time I see it. This jar is also from the collection of Sam Herrup, and the reason I referenced the western New York jar is because this jar is also decorated in a style found on mochaware of the period. Surrounding the jar is mocha-like drips somewhat resembling the well known tree-like design and other styles found on mochaware.

I remember the first time I saw this jar, as it was pulled out of a storage area; I was completely mesmerized by its color and decoration. And to this day, I still feel it is an important piece of American pottery.

Although, to my knowledge, the exact origin of this jar has never been completely identified, but it is thought to have been manufactured in Pennsylvania before 1825. The potter may have been inspired by mochaware imported into America, deciding to try and imitate some of the decoration that they saw.

Excellent Red Earthenware Jar with Mocha-Like Design

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar with Mocha-Like Design

Likely Made in Pennsylvania

Circa 1820

Stands 8 1/2" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Sam Herrup

  Another View of the Jar

Photo Courtesy: Sam Herrup

 Another View of the Jar

Photo Courtesy: Sam Herrup

 Another View of the Jar

Photo Courtesy: Sam Herrup

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