Early-19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Recovered in Lexington, Kentucky

Outside of an archaeological context, this nineteenth century slip-decorated red earthenware bowl would probably be interpreted as being from Pennsylvania, although it was recovered by archaeologists from an antebellum period privy found on property once owned by Henry Clay (1777-1852) in Lexington, Kentucky. The privy is associated with the slave quarters that were once located on the property, and in this case, likely dating from the early-nineteenth century.

Overall, a wide variety of locally made ceramics and imported Chinese and European wares were found in the privies on the property associated with Clay's occupancy. Forms included serving platters, compote dishes and a wide range of stoneware and red earthenware storage jars (most of which were locally made).

To my knowledge, the origin of this bowl has not been identified, but this type of slipware was manufactured in Kentucky, such as a circa 1803-1837 red earthenware business known as the Conrad Pottery located just outside Louisville in Jefferstown, Kentucky.

Early-19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Recovered in Lexington, Kentucky

Early 19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl

Recovered from a Privy on Property Owned by Henry Clay in Lexington, Kentucky

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Janice Tomes

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

Found It! The Whereabouts of a Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl I was Searching for Last Month

About a month ago, I wrote about a wonderful eighteenth or early-nineteenth century slip-decorated red earthenware bowl that had just sold, which I was trying to track down. Nevertheless, that bowl has reappeared in Crocker Farm's forthcoming summer 2020 sale in Maryland with a lot more information about its origin!

Here is a link to the article I originally posted last month.

Great Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl

Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl in Crocker Farm's Forthcoming Summer 2020 Sale

I was Actually in Search of this Bowl Last Month

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm Auctions of American Redware and  Stoneware

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

An Early Handled Stoneware Jar Manufactured with a Pouring Spout

While not exactly the same, this possible eighteenth century cobalt decorated handled stoneware jar with a pouring spout is similar in form to some red earthenware and stoneware examples manufactured in places like France and Germany in the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth century. Although, this particular example is possibly from an American manufacturer.

Interestingly, when I first saw the pictures of this piece, the shape instantly reminded me of an eighteenth century stoneware jar with a pouring spout that I handled a few years ago in storage at the Connecticut Historical Society in Hartford, Connecticut. That jar is dated in script, "1790," and is attributed to Abraham Mead (1742-1827) in Greenwich, Connecticut. The jar is also handled, but the handles are now missing; the overall shape of the jar is a distinct style manufactured by Mead after the American Revolution with extent examples known in both private collections and in the Connecticut Historical Society, as well as other museums.

I have also seen these type of pouring spouts applied on eighteenth century stoneware handled jars manufactured in New Jersey, including a possible example that may have been made at the Captain James Morgan (1734-1784) Pottery in Cheesequake, New Jersey (village in Old Bridge Township). In an article I wrote, published this past winter for Antiques & the Arts Weekly, titled, "Early Red Earthenware and Stoneware Found on Staten Island," it was revealed that archaeological evidence has shown that some of Morgan's stoneware was likely exported to Staten Island around the American Revolution, circa 1776-78. Cheesequake was an ideal location for early stoneware production; it was located near high-quality clays, conveniently located next to waterways for transportation and was within a close proximity to a major market in New York City.

Captain Morgan apparently established the Morgan Pottery around 1770, the same year he mortgaged his land where the pottery was located. Archaeological evidence collected at the site of the pottery has revealed some sherds bearing dates from the mid-1770s; also based on archaeological evidence, the wares seem to indicate a strong German influence, such as that found only a few miles away with the Remmey and Crolius potters in Manhattan.

I would also not be surprised to learn that this type of vessel with a pouring spout was manufactured in Manhattan in the 1700s. But it should also be noted that these type of pouring spouts may have been manufactured in the northeast during the early nineteenth century, as well.

An Early Handled Stoneware Jar Manufactured with a Pouring Spout

Possible 18th Century Cobalt Decorated Handled Stoneware Jar with a Pouring Spout

This is Possibly from an American Manufacturer

Although Similar Forms Were Also Made in Europe

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Pickerell

Another View of the Jar

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Pickerell

View of the Pouring Spout

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Pickerell

View of the Back

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Pickerell

Another View of the Back

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Pickerell

View of One Side

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Pickerell

View of the Handle

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Pickerell

Another View of the Handle

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Pickerell

View of the Interior

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Pickerell

View of the Base

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Pickerell

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

Red Earthenware Birdhouse Found in New Hampshire Featured in this Week's Issue of the Digital Antiques Journal

The nineteenth century red earthenware birdhouse that I found a few weeks ago in New Hampshire is featured in this week's issue of the Digital Antiques Journal (formerly the New England Antiques Journal).

Here is a link to the story.

Red Earthenware Birdhouse Found in New Hampshire Featured in this Week's Issue of the Digital Antiques Journal

 19th Century Red Earthenware Birdhouse Found in New Hampshire 

Featured in this Week's Issue of the Digital Antiques Journal

See Article for More Information

  19th Century Red Earthenware Birdhouse Found in New Hampshire 

Featured in this Week's Issue of the Digital Antiques Journal

See Article for More Information

 19th Century Red Earthenware Birdhouse Found in New Hampshire 

Featured in this Week's Issue of the Digital Antiques Journal

See Article for More Information

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

An Example of Merrimacport, Mass. Red Earthenware Available in New Hampshire and a Forthcoming Story in the Digital Antiques Journal

I will post more information once it has been published, but the terrific nineteenth century red earthenware birdhouse that I purchased a few weeks ago at Flying Pig Antiques in Westmoreland, New Hampshire is being featured in the Digital Antiques Journal.

Although, as I have previously written, much of the red earthenware inventory found at Flying Pig Antiques is listed on the company's Etsy page; for instance, I wanted to bring this pitcher to the attention of anyone looking for an example of nineteenth century red earthenware made in Merrimacport, Massachusetts for an inexpensive price. This pitcher may have been made at the William Pecker Pottery before 1820, otherwise it was made at one of the the Chase family potteries, circa 1820-1880s.

The attribution is based on the form and especially the handle, which I have seen numerous times in archaeology recovered in Merrimacport. There was a lot of crossover found in wares made by Pecker and the Chases and it is sometimes difficult to differentiate exactly who made what.

Here is a link to the listing.

An Example of Merrimacport, Mass. Red Earthenware Available in New Hampshire

 19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher Attributed to Merrimacport, Mass.

Made at Either the William Pecker Pottery or by the Chase Family

Circa 1790-1880s

Stands 8 7/8" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Flying Pig Antiques

View of the Handle

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Flying Pig Antiques

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

Likely a Philadelphia Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Plate that is Currently Listed on eBay

I noticed this late eighteenth or early nineteenth century slip-decorated red earthenware plate listed on eBay last night should anyone reading this have an interest in it. It is similar to objects that have been recovered within various 1790-1820 archaeological contexts in Philadelphia; I suspect that this is where this may have been made, as well.

Here is the link to the posting.

Likely a Philadelphia Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Plate that is Currently Listed on eBay

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

Likely Made in Philadelphia

Probably Circa 1790-1820

Measures 11" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: eBay

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

"Sherds Behind the Wall" Published in the June 29, 2020 Issue of the Digital Antiques Journal

Last month, I posted an article on this website about a selection of eighteenth century ceramics found behind a fireplace surround on the first floor of a Colonial eighteenth century house in Exeter, New Hampshire. That story was just published as part of a longer story in the June 29, 2020 issue of the Digital Antiques Journal, titled, "Sherds Behind the Wall."

"Sherds Behind the Wall" Published in the June 29, 2020 Issue of the Digital Antiques Journal

Story I Posted on this Website Last Month Has Been Published in the Digital Antiques Journal

See Article for More Information

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