An Excellent Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Dish from the Southern Connecticut Coastline

This is a great slip decorated red earthenware charger that I just picked up on Friday from Dave Hillier at Antiques Associates at West Townsend in Massachusetts, and it very well may have been made in the 1790s. I also believe that it is somehow related to the important and well-known circa 1796 slip script red earthenware advertising dish, inscribed, "Days Pottery," made by Absalom Day (1770-1843) in Norwalk, Connecticut, now owned by the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia.

There is also speculation that this dish may have been made by John Betts Gregory (1782-1842) in Norwalk, who trained under Day before leaving for Long Island and later upstate New York. Furthermore, in 1896, Reverend Charles Melbourne Selleck (1831-1909) wrote Norwalk, "In an attempt to bring the town's history fully to light, and to preserve and to perpetuate its mentions and memoirs. Many of these were gathered by the author while engaged in the necessarily hasty preparation of his 1886 St. Paul's Church centenary address in Norwalk, Connecticut, but most of them have since been collected, and their public presentation upon the eve of the town's quarter-millennial birth anniversary.

John Betts Gregory was born in Norwalk in 1782 to Abraham and Elizabeth Gregory, who lived where the late Henry Marvin resided, on East Avenue, and south of the ancient Beacham Lane. He learned his trade (potter) of Absalom Day (1770-1843) of "Old Well (neighborhood in Norwalk)." After his marriage to Olive (1786-1883), he had a good business offer from Huntington, Long Island, which he accepted. He afterward established a pottery in Clinton, Oneida County, New York, which required a building 140x40 for his operations. He returned in 1831 to Norwalk and bought from Samuel Hanford, Half-Mile Isle, paying $325.00. He there built a kiln for the burning of earthenware and stoneware. The kiln was erected in 1832 by masons Lewis and George Raymond of "Old Well." The business was here kept up until 1840. Mr. Gregory died July 22, 1842."

This dish measures 14 1/2 inches in diameter and was previously owned by a private collector in the Midwest, and before that Lewis Scranton of Killingworth, Connecticut.

For more information - see Richard Miller's article in the 2016 edition of Ceramics in America, titled, Norwalk (Connecticut) Slip-script Pottery, the Potters, and Related Ware.

And also my article written for the April 9, 2021 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled, The Wares Made by John Betts Gregory in Clinton, New York: An Examination of  Empire State Regional Redware.

An Excellent Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Dish from the Southern Connecticut Coastline

Outstanding Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Dish Attributed to Norwalk, Connecticut

Likely Made by Either Absalom Day or John Betts Gregory at Day's Pottery

The Style of the Slip May Have Been Inspired from English Design

Possibly Circa 1790s

Measures 14 1/2" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Dish

See Article for More Information

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

A First Look at My New Book -- A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod

The proof copy of my new book is back from the printer, titled, A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod, and I am so proud of this book! The book runs nearly 500 pages, and there are hundreds of pieces of red earthenware (and some stoneware) illustrated that are owned by museums and private collectors from all over the country. In fact, I think just about every major piece from this region known to my collecting, dealer, auction and museum circle are illustrated in this book. There's also tons of archaeology. 

I will post a link on how to purchase the book on this website in the next few weeks, although I do know that it will cost $40 plus shipping from Historic Beverly in Beverly, Massachusetts. There will also most likely be reviews in some of the industry publications. This is now my fifth book in my ongoing New England pottery book series through the museum.

If you would like a signed copy - just let the museum know when you order the book, and they will take care of it.

A First Look at My New Book -- A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod

My New Book - A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod

Available in the Next Few Weeks from Historic Beverly in Beverly, Mass.

See Article for More Information

My New Book - A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod

Available in the Next Few Weeks from Historic Beverly in Beverly, Mass.

See Article for More Information

My New Book - A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod

Available in the Next Few Weeks from Historic Beverly in Beverly, Mass.

See Article for More Information

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

A 19th Century Earthenware Humidor that Just Sold at Miller & Miller Auctions in New Hamburg, Ontario

Lifelong Toronto folk art and Canadiana collector Dr. Marty Osler began selling his sixty or so year collection through Miller & Miller Auctions in New Hamburg, Ontario in April of 2021 - and over the weekend, the auction house sold the second part of the important Osler Collection, which was considered by many to be more exciting than the first sale. These objects were acquired over many years from dealers, private sales and auctions in Ontario.

According to Marty's son Mark, "What the Millers have been selling is maybe only about twenty percent of the collection so far (much of which is remaining with the family). He collected things just because he liked them, not because he thought they were valuable. Marty's things are a phantasmagoria of treasures, which include carvings, burl bowls, trade signs, First Nations beadwork, steel toys, various works of art, decoys, fly fishing lures, carvings, rugs, among many other categories."

During the most recent sale, I was lucky enough to purchase this outstanding smaller sized nineteenth century earthenware humidor, which appears to be largely molded, although other aspects of it seem to have been modeled by hand. Personally speaking, I have never seen anything like this before, and while I suspect it was made in Ontario, circa 1850-1900 - I will not rule out an American manufacturer. 

The humidor is decorated with a cabin in the woods hunting theme - whereas some of the decoration may have been sprig molded, a technique used for decorating pottery by applying press molded shapes, motifs and figures to the main body of a ceramic shape before firing the ware in the kiln.

The style of the recumbent dog that adorns the lid and its facial features/expression are also similar to a number of the nineteenth century figural dogs manufactured in Pennsylvania and probably elsewhere in the Shenandoah Valley in the Mid Atlantic Region. Although, all of those pieces are made out of red earthenware, but the similarities are certainly apparent. 

Nonetheless, I think this is a good piece that is quite rare today. 

Note: For the full auction listing of both sales - see these links through LiveAuctioneers.

Part One of the Dr. Marty Osler Collection

Part Two of the Dr. Marty Osler Collection

A 19th Century Earthenware Humidor with a Cabin in the Woods Hunting Theme

19th Century Earthenware Humidor with a Cabin in the Woods Theme

Retains at Least a 20th Century History of Ownership in Canada

Stands 5 1/4" Tall and Measures 4 1/2" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy Miller & Miller Auctions

Another View of the Humidor

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy Miller & Miller Auctions

View of the Base and the Two Covers

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy Miller & Miller Auctions

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

A Preview of My Forthcoming Hartford, Connecticut Book

Here is a preview of my forthcoming book from Historic Beverly in Massachusetts, titled, A City on the River: The Early Red Earthenware of the Hartford, Connecticut Area -- this is a recently rediscovered early nineteenth century document detailing an agreement to manufacture (red) earthenware in Berlin, Hartford County, Connecticut, dated "September 19th 1809." The bottom is signed by Elijah Hart and John J. Jinkins. Hart is most likely from the Hart family that helped establish New Britain, Connecticut, a neighboring community of West Hartford, Connecticut, which is where a great deal of red earthenware production took place in the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth century. Although, it appears that this production in Berlin has been somewhat forgotten based on past publications. Nonetheless, the history of this document and the names involved will be included in my forthcoming Hartford book.

A Preview of My Forthcoming Hartford, Connecticut Book

Early 19th Century Document Detailing an Agreement to Manufacture (Red) Earthenware

The Document is Dated "September 19th 1809"

It is Also Signed by Elijah Hart and John J. Jinkins

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Document

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Document

See Article for More Information

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

John Corliss Pottery Red Earthenware Jug Sells in Amesbury, Mass.

According to the book A Day's Work: A Sampler of Historic Maine Photographs, 1860-1920, Volume 2  (The following photograph shows) John Corliss (center), and sons Howard Corliss (left) and Homer Corliss (right) at their pottery at Day's Ferry in Woolwich, Maine, circa 1865.

A row of green red earthenware (pottery that has not been fired in the potter's kiln, yet) pots air-dry behind John. Kiln wood is stacked at the right; the circular brick kiln is located inside, under the chimney hatch.

This pottery was established by John about 1824 and continued in business for over seventy years. The Corlisses employed a distinctive glaze creating brown splotches that were much more decorative than the description suggests. Most handles ended in a fishtail shape (but not all handles).

The family made a wide variety of items sold locally, including jugs, chamber pots, churns, platters, washbowls, stewpots, pudding pans, preserve pots, tumblers, shaving mugs, pitchers, flowers pots, and spittoons. 

Of greatest importance was the production of milk pans for setting cream, cream pots for storing cream, and also jars for storing butter."

A good red earthewnare jug attributed to the John Corliss Pottery recently sold at a John McInnis timed online auction in Amesbury, Massachusetts. The jug was converted into a lamp, but it was not damaged in the process. It was consigned from a home in the Newburyport, Massachusetts area. 

The jug sold for a bargain price of $310 plus the auction premiums.

19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Attributed to Days Ferry, Woolwich, Maine

19th Century Red Earthenware Jug

Attributed to the John Corliss Pottery in Days Ferry, Woolwich, Maine

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: John McInnis

 John Corliss Pottery, Woolwich, ME

Photo Taken Circa 1865
Operated Circa 1824-1890

Photo Courtesy: A Day's Work: A Sampler of Historic Maine Photographs, 1860-1920, Vol. 2

John Corliss Pictured with Utilitarian Pots that Have Not Been Fired in the Potter's Kiln, Yet

Milk Pans are Also Seen Stacked in the Window Just Above Corliss to the Right

Photo Courtesy: A Day's Work: A Sampler of Historic Maine Photographs, 1860-1920, Vol. 2

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

Update: The Final Version of the Front and Back Covers of My New Book!

Just a FYI - we have decided on different colors for the front and back covers of my news 457-page book from Historic Beverly in Massachusetts, A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod. The proof copy of the book will be back from the printer next week, and the book will be available to purchase soon after that. This is the fifth book in my early New England pottery book series. 

About the Book: "The aesthetics of utilitarian domestic red earthenware are what collectors and museums have been drawn to for more than a century now, although, it was likely an important factor in the marketplace even when red earthenware was originally produced in the eighteenth and nineteenth century. In New England, the wares manufactured in southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod were unquestionably at the forefront of the visual appeal of the region’s red earthenware production. The wares produced in this part of Massachusetts have it all: form, glaze, skill and refinement, transforming many of these objects into works of art that can be displayed at any art museum in America. This book is the first of its kind to explore this region’s red earthenware production through archaeology, a historical context, as well as the artisty and creativity behind this industy’s production."

The Final Version of the Front and Back Covers of My New Book!

The Front and Back Covers of My New 457-Page Book

A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod

See Article for More Information

Available Soon Through Historic Beverly in Mass.

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

A Preview of the Front and Back Covers of My New Book!

This is just in from my publisher Historic Beverly in Massachusetts - the front and back covers of my new 457-page book, A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod. The proof copy of the book will be back from the printer next week, and the book will be available to purchase soon after that. This is the fifth book in my early New England pottery book series.

About the Book: "The aesthetics of utilitarian domestic red earthenware are what collectors and museums have been drawn to for more than a century now, although, it was likely an important factor in the marketplace even when red earthenware was originally produced in the eighteenth and nineteenth century. In New England, the wares manufactured in southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod were unquestionably at the forefront of the visual appeal of the region’s red earthenware production. The wares produced in this part of Massachusetts have it all: form, glaze, skill and refinement, transforming many of these objects into works of art that can be displayed at any art museum in America. This book is the first of its kind to explore this region’s red earthenware production through archaeology, a historical context, as well as the artisty and creativity behind this industy’s production."

A Preview of the Front and Back Covers of My New Book!

The Front and Back Covers of My New 457-Page Book

A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod

See Article for More Information

Available Soon Through Historic Beverly in Mass.

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