An Intriguing Red Earthenware Sherd Recovered from the Circa 1721 Samuel Bell House in Salem, Mass.

This is another example of what I feel is some of the exciting archaeological evidence included in my forthcoming book from Historic Beverly in Massachusetts, titled, A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod -- While meeting with a homeowner yesterday at the circa 1721 Samuel Bell (b. 1695) House in Salem, Massachusetts, I looked over a number of artifacts that were recovered a few years ago in the backyard when the foundation had some work done to it. In fact, I was really surprised to see this red earthenware sherd decorated in a raspberry, black and cream colored glaze. The reason for this is because it seems to be the same colors and glaze technique as that found on a rare style of jar. The only difference in the color of the glaze in these two pieces is the lighting that was used for the photographs.

I further explain the significance of these jars in my forthcoming book, seeing that they may be related to archaeological evidence recovered at the site of the Bradford family pottery in Kingston, Massachusetts kept at Plimouth Plantation in Plymouth, Massachusetts and in the Lura Woodside Watkins (1897-1982) Collection at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.

Interestingly, the Bradfords are known to have shipped production as far south as Cape Cod during this period. And while it may seem unusual for domestic red earthenware to have been shipped to Salem in the 1800s, considering the industry that existed in South Danvers/Peabody, nothing is out of the question. For instance, Philadelphia slipware has been recovered in some contexts Salem, along with wares from other areas as well. Nevertheless though, I think this is an interesting comparison!

Red Earthenware Sherd Recovered from the Circa 1721 Samuel Bell House in Salem, Mass.

(Left) Early 19th Century New England Red Earthenware Jar

Possibly Made by the Bradford Family in Kingston, Mass.

(Right) What  Appears to be a Matching Glazed Red Earthenware Sherd

Recovered in the Backyard of the Ca. 1721 Samuel Bell House in Salem, Mass.

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The Ca. 1721 Samuel Bell House in Salem, Mass.

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

New Book Update: An Outstanding Green Glazed Red Earthenware Jar from Southeastern Massachusetts

This post provides a quick update about my forthcoming book from Historic Beverly in Beverly, Massachusetts, titled, A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod - The book will be about 375 pages and it will include over 400 pictures. This will also be my fifth publication in my pottery book series through Historic Beverly.

Although, this late eighteenth or early nineteenth century green glazed red earthenware lidded jar from southeastern Massachusetts is without a doubt one of my favorite pieces illustrated in the book, along with being discussed in detail in one of the chapters. For those who read this website, you may recall that I was in search of a similar jar a few months ago that sold in the Christopher Huntington Sale in Maine in 1974. This is not the same jar, but actually in my opinion perhaps even a better example. I only know about two green glazed pieces like this in existence today.

An Outstanding Green Glazed Red Earthenware Jar from Southeastern Massachusetts

Late 18th or Early 19th Century Green Glazed Red Earthenware Jar

Attributed to Southeastern Massachusetts

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Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

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

A 19th Century Business Envelope from a Red Earthenware Potter in Troy, New Hampshire

This is an obscure envelope that I recently found for less than ten dollars from a somewhat forgotten red earthenware potter working in Troy, New Hampshire in the 1870s. The envelope is marked on the upper left corner "Return to C.A. Farrar / Manufacturer of  Earthen Ware / Troy, New Hampshire / If not delivered in 10 days."

According to Massachusetts author Lura Woodside Watkins' (1897-1982) book Early New England Potters and Their Wares, "Elderly residents of Troy can remember two later concerns that were devoted to the decoration of red earthenware flowerpots. The first of these was started about 1875 by Charles Adelbert Farrar (1844-1906). He owned a brick shop diagonally across the road to the south from the railroad station. Flowerpots and jugs were the principal output."

To my knowledge, there is no known red earthenware associated with Farrar's production in Troy, although there is certainly a very good chance that some exists today, which may be interpreted as production from another location in New England.

A 19th Century Business Envelope from a Red Earthenware Potter in Troy, New Hampshire

19th  Century Business Envelope from Troy, N.H.

The Red Earthenware Company was Owned by Charles Adelbert Farrarr (1844-1906)

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A Presentation Red Earthenware Umbrella Stand Possibly Made for John W. Newman of Ipswich, Mass.

Happy 4th of July! I posted these pictures and this information to my Instagram page yesterday, and I thought it might be of interest to those who read this website: "I took a little trip with this nineteenth century red earthenware umbrella stand and my niece Alexis yesterday in order to see a house built by John W. Newman and his wife Hannah Ellen Newman (Lord) about 1880 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. The reason for this is because I believe this umbrella stand was manufactured as a presentation piece for Newman, seeing that it bears his name inscribed on the front of it. The heavy hand thrown umbrella stand is also decorated with applied acorns and leaves along the rim, other applied objects along the base, an inscribed Shamrock above Newman's name and a wonderful American eagle with a shield adorning each wing. It is also decorated on the interior with a lead glaze.

I found this umbrella stand in Salem, Massachusetts in 2014, where I was told it retained some type of history of ownership. I have always felt it was made locally in either Chelsea, Beverly or Peabody, although I am not certain of which location. Much of the production of this piece is in keeping with what Charles A. Lawrence's pottery was producing in Beverly, but I am hesitant to provide a specific attribution. 

But after some research, the only John W. Newman I can find living in the area at the right time and around an appropriate age is this Newman living in Ipswich, who was a hardware store owner and a painter.

Yesterday, we brought this piece back to the house Newman built about 1880, and very possibly where this umbrella stand was originally used in the late 1800s and early 1900s. I have also posted a picture of one of Newman's company advertisements and an early image of his house located along the Ipswich River in the late 1800s."

A Presentation 19th Century Red Earthenware Umbrella Stand

19th Century Hand Thrown Umbrella Stand

Found in 2014 in Salem, Mass.

Likely a Presentation Piece for John W. Newman

Circa 1870s-1890s

Possibly Made for John W. Newman Living in Ipswich, Mass.

I Feel it was Made Locally in Either Beverly, Chelsea or Peabody

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Decorated Along the Rim with Applied Acorns and Leaves

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Decorated with an Applied Eagle and Each Wing is a Shield

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Inscribed with a Shamrock and the Name "John W. Newman"

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Decorated with Other Applied Objects Along the Base

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The Interior is Decorated with a Lead Glaze

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This is the House John W. Newman and His Wife Built in Ipswich, Mass. About 1880

The House is Located Along the Ipswich River and Near Downtown

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A Late 19th Century Picture of the Newmans House Along the Ipswich River

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Photo Courtesy: Historic Ipswich

A 19th Century Advertisement for Newman's Business in Ipswich, Mass.

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Photo Courtesy: Historic Ipswich

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

An Important 19th Century Stoneware Churn from Muscatine County, Iowa

While reading my Facebook news feed earlier this week, I came across this outstanding six gallon nineteenth century stoneware churn that was posted in an Iowa Stoneware Group page. I did not know that this piece existed - the churn depicts the home, potter's wheel and kiln of the the potter Tilden R. Goddard in Muscatine County, Iowa. The churn is also inscribed "T.R. Goddard / Muscatine" and dated "April 5, 1881."

This churn was previously displayed in a major exhibit of more than 300 pieces of Iowa stoneware spanning the period of 1830 to 1930 at the Iowa State Historical Museum in Des Moines, titled, Made From Mud: Iowa's Potters and Potteries, 1830-1930. 

There was a thriving pottery industry in Iowa in the 1800s, and Muscatine County was a part of that industry, as well as Booone, Mahaska, Polk, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren and Webster counties. The state's pottery production largely transpired with hundreds of known potters as a result of the excellent clay deposits that were discovered in conjunction with the state's rich coal industry. 

According to the information that was posted on Facebook this week by Conninne Waterman Reed, "It is believed that this churn may have been created to commemorate the first firing of the kiln owned by Goddard." This piece is especially significant because when compared to a lot of the highly decorated stoneware manufactured in the eastern part of the United States, the wares produced in Iowa were often left undecorated and strictly utilitarian in appearance. 

The predominant stoneware forms manufactured in Iowa included pitchers, churns, preserve jars, butter pots, jugs, milk pans, cream pots, chamber pots and flowerpots. Although, there were other styles produced as well, such as a great squirrel figure that I wrote about three years ago made in What Cheer, Iowa.

Nonetheless though, pottery production in Iowa was just as significant as anywhere else in America during this period. And this churn really demonstrates the significance and skill of this industry when compared to elsewhere in America, even though some of these wares may not be recognized nationally as are objects of a similar manufacture from elsewhere in the country.

An Important 19th Century Stoneware Churn from Muscatine County, Iowa

This Six Gallon Churn Depicts the Home, Potter's Wheel and Kiln of Potter of Tilden R. Goddard

Goddard Worked in Muscatine, Iowa

It is Dated April 5, 1881

Collection of Mark and Kathie Cellotti

Photo Courtesy: Corrinne Waterman Reed

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

Outstanding 19th Century Slip Script Stoneware Political Jug Made by the Fulper Bros. in Flemington, New Jersey Sells at Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates in Virginia

Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates is currently in the middle of their semi-annual two day Americana sale in Mount Crawford, Virginia - and there were certainly some highlights from yesterday, including sewer tile, stoneware and red earthenware, much of which did very well!

In terms of the pottery, there was a lot of stoneware to see, although the most sought after piece was a slip script political jug manufactured by the Fulper Brothers in Flemington, New Jersey about 1896, reading, "Billy Bryan he likes his wine / And Sewell likes his Gin / So all the Loyal Democrats / Don't want the cusses in." 

William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925) was an American orator and politician. Beginning in 1896, he emerged as a dominant force in the Democratic Party, running three times as the party's nominee for President of the United States in the 1896, 1900 and 1908 elections. 

I heard from Benny Kreiner moments after the jug sold, who is an antiques specialist at Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates, and this jug was certainly a conversation piece from yesterday's sale, selling for $18,000 plus the auction premiums. Furthermore, the information that accompanied the jug included, "The poem refers to president and vice presidential candidates Bryan and Arthur Sewell (1835-1900). First nominated to the Democratic ticket in 1896, Bryan was a congressman from Nebraska and Sewell a wealthy Maine banker and shipbuilder. Losing to Republican candidate William McKinley (1843-1901), Bryan went on to run for president two more times, losing each race. Ironically, unlike the poem says, Bryan was a prohibitionist and did not drink alcohol having taken a temperance pledge as a child, he felt prohibition would contribute to the moral improvement of the individual and to civic progress."

The nineteenth century history of the Fulper brothers dates back to 1814, when the business was established by Samuel Hill, a potter originally from New Brunswick, New Jersey, who founded the Hill Pottery on the corner of Main and Mine Streets in Flemington. Although, the pottery was purchased in 1858 by Abram Fulper, a nephew who then changed the name to Fulper Pottery. This jug was manufactured when the company was operated by George Fulper and his brothers during the 1881-1898 period. The business continued well into the twentieth century under various owners and name changes, and through the span of all this made a wide variety of products from multiple types of clays. The most iconic piece of Fulper Brothers stoneware is likely a circa 1880s four gallon jug featuring acrobats that is in the Adam Weitsman Collection at the New York State Museum in Albany, New York. 

Slip Script Stoneware Political Jug Made by the Fulper Bros. in Flemington, New Jersey

19th Century Stoneware Political Jug Manufactured at the Fulper Bros. in Flemington, N.J.

Circa 1896

Inscribed "Billy Bryan he likes his wine / And Sewell likes his Gin / So all the Loyal Democrats / Don't want the cusses in"

Sold: $18,000 Plus the Auction Premiums

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Photo Courtesy: Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates

Another View of the Jug

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Photo Courtesy: Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates

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Photo Courtesy: Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates

Other outstanding pieces of utilitarian pottery that sold yesterday include various examples of cobalt decorated stoneware from the Mid Atlantic region and a number of pieces manufactured by the Kirkpatrick brothers in Anna, Illinois, as well as a stoneware frog mug attributed to John H. Folks at the Loogootee Pottery in Indiana, who previously worked for the Kirkpatrick brothers in Anna.

The earthenware part of the sale was highlighted by a multicolored nineteenth century earthenware spaniel thought to have possibly been manufactured by George Wagner in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, as well as a two color slip decorated red earthenware plate attributed to the Dry Pottery in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and a nineteenth century red earthenware food mold stamped twice, "SOLOMON BELL / STRASBURG" and "STRASBURG / Va." But there many other pieces of pottery to see beyond what I have posted in this article today.

Some of the Other Pottery that Sold Yesterday in Virginia

19th Century Earthenware Spaniel Bank Attributed to Pennsylvania

Thought to Have Been Manufactured by George Wagner in Carbon County, PA

Stands 6 1/2" Tall

Sold: $2,300 Plus the Auction Premiums

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Photo Courtesy: Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates

19th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Plate

Attributed to the Dry Pottery in Dryville, Berks County, PA

Measures 6 1/2" in Diameter

Sold: $2,700 Plus the Auction Premiums

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Photo Courtesy: Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates

19th Century Red Earthenware Food Mold

Manufactured by Solomon Bell on Strasburg, VA

Stamped Twice

One Stamps Reads "SOLOMON BELL / STRASBURG"

While the Other Stamp Reads "STRASBURG / Va"

Measures 9 1/4" in Diameter

Sold: $2,000 Plus the Auction Premiums

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Photo Courtesy: Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates

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

An Excellent Stoneware Lion Recently Discovered in Perry County, Ohio

While visiting southeastern Pennsylvania and Philadelphia last week, I attended the 58th annual Lititz Historical Foundation antiques show in Lititz, Pennsylvania. It's a nice show and definitely worth checking out if you are ever in the area when it is happening. I actually went to the show two years ago by chance, seeing that I was already in the area and I purchased three pieces of New England and upstate New York red earthenware, two of which have since been published, a small jar from Bristol County, Massachusetts and a large green glazed jar probably made at the Cornell Pottery in DeRuyter, New York. In fact, both of these pieces will be included in my forthcoming book from Historic Beverly in Beverly, Massachusetts, A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod.

Although, similar to two years ago - this year's show also coincidentally coincided with my latest published research story in Antiques & Auctions News; two years ago I received the cover story, titled, "The 19th- And 20th-Century Stahl Family Pottery in Lehigh County, Pa: Stahl's Pottery Preservation Society Inc. Has Protected Homestead And Site," whereas I just posted a short article on this website yesterday about the print version of this year's story, titled, "The Story Of Andrew Pitman: A Revolutionary War Veteran Turned Potter In The Shenandoah Valley of Virginia."

Nonetheless, while roaming around the show last Thursday morning, I walked into the booth of Ohio antiques dealer and show promoter Steve Sherhag, where I found this excellent late nineteenth or twentieth century American molded stoneware lion. Many different types of lions were manufactured in the Ohio area during this period, and this piece is no different - it is definitely one of the more attractive and colorful lions that I have seen. I especially like the base with the spots of blue, which when I first saw it somewhat reminded me of a technique applied on some figures such as spaniels and lions manufactured by Alexander or "A.P." Donaghho in Parkersburg, West Virginia in the late 1800s.

This particular lion was just discovered by a picker in Perry County, Ohio, which was surrounded by some major stoneware companies in Zanesville and Crooksville, as well as production elsewhere in the state, along with Kentucky, West Virginia and western Pennsylvania. This is also the area that I believe this lion was very likely produced.

Interestingly, I was in New York City that night and I took these photos on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan. For one reason or another, I could see this piece exhibited in the Americana Wing at the MET.

An Excellent Stoneware Lion Recently Discovered in Perry County, Ohio

Excellent Late 19th or 20th Century Stoneware Figure of a Lion

Recently Discovered in Perry County, Ohio

Measures Approximately 7" to 8" Long

Most Likely Manufactured in the Midwest

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These Photos were Taken Outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan

Another View of the Lion

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Another View of the Lion

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Another View of the Lion

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View of the Base

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