An 18th Century Red Earthenware Jar Made by Christian Klinker in Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Something I do every now and again is compare past auction results over the past twenty-five years with a specific object that sold back then versus how it recently sold again. There are a number of factors that can contribute to changes, such as desirability, the antiques market, the economy, the auction venue, new scholarship, new collectors, etc. In fact, some of the most surprising prices are the wares that were made in the Edgefield District in South Carolina before 1870, although this may be the most surprising comparison! The jar shown to the right in this first photo sold as part of the landmark John Gordon Collection of Folk Americana at Christies in New York City in 1999. The jar sold for $4,370 including the buyer's premium.

The jar is attributed to Christian Klinker (d. 1798), who was active in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, circa 1773-1798. Examples of Klinker's production can be found prominently displayed at art museums around the country, including an outstanding inscribed multi-color slip decorated jar that is exhibited in a glass case in The Charles Engelhard Court in the Americana Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The MET also owns other examples of wares made by Klinker.

Three examples of Christian Klinker's production can also be found displayed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which includes a jar missing a handle that matches this form, albeit possibly with a more elaborate style of slip decoration, and dated in slip "1787." 

It is certainly possible that Klinker manufactured this form of double-handled jar throughout his entire career, but the museum's jar does serve as evidence that this form was made in the late 1780s, which could provide a more exact period of production for the jar that sold at Christies. 

According to Edwin Atlee Barber's (1851-1916) 1903 book, Tulip Ware of the Pennsylvania-German Potters: An Historical Sketch of the Art of Slip-Decoration in the United States: "One of the pioneer potters of Bucks County, Pa., was Christian Klinker, who is suppose to have come from Germany. An earthenware jar in the collection of the Pennsylvania Museum (now the Philadelphia Museum of Art), covered with colored slips in raised floral designs, bears on the bottom his initials, C.K., and the date of fabrication, 1773."

Nevertheless, the jar that sold in the Gordon sale at Chrsties in 1999 recently sold again at Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland in the summer of 2021. The jar was also previously owned by Robesonia, Pennsylvania antiques dealer Greg Kramer, as well as a collector in the Midwest. However, this time the jar sold for $132,000 including the buyer's premium.

Note: Other examples of Klinker's work can be found in Winterthur in Delaware and the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.

An 18th Century Red Earthenware Jar Made by Christian Klinker in Bucks County, PA

(Left) 18th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Jar

Attributed to Christian Klinker in Bucks County, PA

Circa 1773-1798

Jar May Have Been Made Around 1787 Based on Example Owned by the PMA

Stands 7" Tall

It Sold for $4,370 Including the Buyer's Premium at Christies in NYC in 1999

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Christies

This is the Same Jar that Just Sold Again in the Summer of 2021 at Crocker Farm in Maryland

It Sold for $132,000 Including the Buyer's Premium

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Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm

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

An Important Flowerpot Made by Absalom Bixler in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Sells at Crocker Farm in Maryland

The Beauport, Sleeper-MCann House is somewhat of a hidden gem in Gloucester, Massachusetts today, which displays two pieces of nineteenth century red earthenware that I have always admired made by Absalom Bixler (1802-1884) in Earl Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. According to Historic New England, "Beauport, the extraordinary creation of Henry Davis Sleeper (1878-1934), was built between 1907 and 1934 on Eastern Point in Gloucester, Massachusetts. It began conventionally enough as a Queen Ann cottage overlooking the harbor - a comfortable summer retreat for Sleeper, a well-to-do young bachelor from Boston and his widowed mother. But scarcely had the house been finished when Sleeper began to lay plans for expanding it. Over the next twenty-seven years he continually added rooms, each displayed with spectacular displays of objects. At the time of his death, he had literally run out of land on which to build, and Beauport had become a forty-room labyrinth. 

From hallway to dining room, from bedroom to alcove, every room at Beauport is decorated to express a theme. Sometimes the theme was historical, sometimes literary.

After sleeper's death in 1934, Beauport was put up for sale. SPNEA's (later became Historic New England) director, William Sumner Appleton, hoped to acquire the house and its contents for SPNEA. Before this could transpire, Mr. and Mrs. Charles E.F. McCann, who had first seen Beauport while on a yachting trip and had fallen in love with it, purchased the house and the grounds intact. 

In 1937, Mrs. McCann approached SPNEA with the idea of bequeathing the house to the society, but unfortunately, she was taken ill and died before plans could be worked out. Five-years later, however, after the death of their father, the three McCann children - carried out their late parents' wishes and donated the house and its contents to SPNEA (today, Historic New England)."

The objects made by Bixler that are owned by Historic New England include a dish that is stamped, "ABSALOM BIXLER / TO HIS WIFE SARAH / 1824," as well as a flowerpot that is also stamped, "ABSALOM BIXLER / TO HIS WIFE SARAH / 1824."

Furthermore, Cynthia G. Falk wrote an article for the Spring 2005 issue of Winterthur Portfolio, titled, Celebrating Years Together: Personal Commemorations and the Colonial Revival: "During the second-half of the nineteenth century, Absalom Bixler presented a series of redware plates and flowerpots to his wife, Sarah. An impressed inscription on each marked it as a gift from husband to wife and included the date 1824, although Absalom and Sarah were not married until 1827. The plates and pots were commemorative, marking the longevity of their bond. They were produced during a period when it was increasingly common in the United States to reflect on earlier times by memorializing patriotic events and celebrating handcraftsmanship...Over the years the plates and flowerpots were acquired by collectors of Americana and eventually found their way into museum collections (such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Winterthur in Delaware; in fact, Winterthur has a small collection of wares related to both pieces owned by Historic New England)."

Interestingly, one of the best and largest flowerpots known to exist from these type of wares made by Bixler was just consigned by a collector in California to Crocker Farm's most recent auction in Sparks, Maryland. The flowerpot was stamped "READY FOR A CATCH," and was adorned with an applied black cat sneaking up on a bird perched on a branch. The flowerpot stands an impressive 10 1/4" tall and measures 10 1/4" in diameter; a nearly identical flowerpot is owned by Winterthur, although the cat's fur is a different color (see below). The flowerpot was also illustrated on the cover of the September 1982 issue of The Magazine Antiques, and previously sold at Sotheby's in New York City.

The flowerpot did well selling over the weekend for $65,000 plus the auction premiums.

An Important Flowerpot Made by Absalom Bixler in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Large 19th Century Red Earthenware Flowerpot with Applied Decoration

Attributed to Absalom Bixler in Earl Township, Lancaster County, PA

Stamped "READY FOR A CATCH"

Stands 10 1/4" Tall and measures 10 1/4" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm

The Flowerpot was Illustrated in the Cover of the Sept. 1982 Issue of The Magazine Antiques

The Flowerpot also Previously Sold at Sotheby's in New York City

See Article for More Information

A Similar Flowerpot Owned by Winterthur in Delaware

This Flowerpot is also Attributed to Absalom Bixler in Earl Township, Lancaster County, PA

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Winterthur

Red Earthenware Dish and Flowerpot Made by Bixler Owned by Historic New England

19th Century Red Earthenware Dish Made by Absalom Bixer in Lancaster County, PA

Stamped "ABSALOM BIXLER / TO HIS WIFE SARAH / 1824"

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Historic New England

19th Century Red Earthenware Pot with Bird Perched on a Branch

Stamped "ABSALOM BIXLER / TO HIS WIFE SARAH / 1824"

Stands 5 5/8" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Historic New England, Beauport

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

An Outstanding Classically Decorated Red Earthenware Flowerpot Found Years Ago in the Buffalo, New York Area

Over the past few years, I have documented on this website two rare red earthenware jars (article about the first jar; article about the second jar) that are accurately attributed to one of Canada's earliest documented potters, Jacob Bock (1789-1867) who was living in Waterloo, Ontario in the early 1800s. Although, Bock was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, which is most likely where he learned the potter's craft, as well. A third signed jar is owned by the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto; in fact, this signed jar is what these attributions are based on today, as well as a few other known signed examples that are privately owned.

These jars are all decorated with classical figures of Saint Aurelius Ambrosius (ca. 340-397 AD), who was born in one of Germany's oldest cities Trier, and his father was an important Roman soldier. He is considered to be one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the 4th century, and was the Roman governor of Liguria and Emilia, based in Milan, before being made Bishop of Milan by popular acclamation in 374 AD, even though he was not even a priest.

For many years, Ambrose defended the faith of the Church, writing hymns and influencing other Christian songwriters. After Ambrose's death on April 4, 397 AD and because of his love of Christianity, the Church declared Saint Ambrose a Doctor of the Church, and his life has been celebrated ever since. However, the jars that I have previously cited are to my knowledge the only examples of seventeenth, eighteenth or nineteenth century utilitarian pottery made in America or Canada which honor the life of Aurelius Ambrosius. In fact, they more than likely represent Bock's faith and his commitment to his church.

According to Ontario collector Paul Slater, To this point there are three documented pieces of signed and dated red earthenware made by Jacob Bock, one of which resides in the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto (the other two are in private collections). All three are red earthenware tobacco jars with four relief portraits of St. Ambrose or Aurelius Ambrosius, a highly influential 4th Century religious figure. One is marked "Waterloo the 4 Jan 1825"; another "Waterloo, Upper Canada, September 17 1825, Jacob Bock, Potter"; the third is the same as the first except "January" is spelled in full. Beyond these three pieces, other pottery has surfaced which some have attributed to Bock, including two storage jars with "1820" marked on the base, a small barrel marked "Waterloo 1827," and a small cup marked "September 1836." Although, it is probable that other examples exist, there is no question that marked pieces by Jacob Bock are extremely rare to see today."

This nineteenth century red earthenware flowerpot is also decorated with classical figures in relief, which appear religious, and might be related to the jars made by Bock in Waterloo. This flowerpot is currently privately owned in Western New York, although it was discovered about fifteen years ago in the Buffalo, New York area, which is located right next to the Ontario border and about 110 miles southeast of where Bock worked in the 1800s.

For some years, the thought was that this flowerpot may have been made by Carl Mehwaldt (1808-1887), a German immigrant who worked in the Village of Bergholz in Niagara County, New York (see Mehwaldt article I wrote for the October 15, 2021 issue of Antiques & Auction News), or perhaps at the Gleason family pottery in Morganville, New York. However, its production seems to be most similar to the jars that were made by Bock in Ontario. Nonetheless, this type of classical revival and religious production is quite rare to find with any surviving wares from Western New York or Ontario today.

An Outstanding Classically Decorated Red Earthenware Flowerpot

19th Century Red Earthenware Flowerpot Attributed to Either Western New York or Ontario

Retains Some History of Ownership in the Buffalo, New York Area

Possibly Related to Some Jars Made by Jacob Bock (1789-1867) in Waterloo, Ontario

Stands About 9" Tall and Measures About 10" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Gene Pratt

Another View of the Flowerpot

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Photo Courtesy: Gene Pratt

Another View of the Flowerpot and the Base

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Photo Courtesy: Gene Pratt

View of the Interior

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Photo Courtesy: Gene Pratt

Another View of the Interior

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Photo Courtesy: Gene Pratt

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

A Good Circa 1790-1820 Stoneware Crock that Sold Last Weekend in Connecticut

As I noted earlier this week, New Haven Auctions in Branford, Connecticut held a two-day auction last weekend, which featured the collection of Stephen and Patricia Center on Saturday April second, while Sunday April third offered a selection of objects consigned from various owners. Both days included examples of domestic utilitarian pottery, although some nice pieces of nineteenth century stoneware sold on the second day, such as some good cobalt decorated pots made in Bennington, Vermont.

However, this was my favorite stoneware piece, a circa 1790-1810 double-handled stoneware crock with various incised decoration that was then carefully filled in with cobalt. The crock is attributed to New York, and perhaps made by the Crolius family in Manhattan, although the precise decoration is also similar to some styles attributed to George Lent in New York.

Nevertheless, the crock sold for $1,800 plus the auction premiums.

Note: For a great stoneware jug attributed to George Lent and some other early stoneware, I suggest a research story I wrote for the January 31, 2020 issue of Antiques & the Arts Weekly, titled, Early Red Earthenware & Stoneware Found on Staten Island.

A Good Circa 1790-1820 Stoneware Crock

Late 18th or Early 19th Century Stoneware Crock Attributed to New York

Probably Circa 1790-1810

Stands 11 5/8" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: New Haven Auctions

Another View of the Crock

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Photo Courtesy: New Haven Auctions

View of One of the Handles

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Photo Courtesy: New Haven Auctions

View of the Base

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Photo Courtesy: New Haven Auctions

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

A Red Earthenware Teapot that was Published in the Book American Redware which Recently Sold at Skinner

In 1991, New York historian and author William Ketchum Jr.'s (1931-2021) 147-page book American Redware was published, providing readers with a generic overview of red earthenware production across America. The book illustrates a number of objects owned by museums, private collectors as well as Ketchum; although, it is not indicated in the captions where each object was owned when the book was published. 

Nonetheless, a number of the pieces pictured in the book were owned by New York State archaeologist and museum specialist George R. Hamell, who also provided much of the red earthenware information for another book written by Ketchum, titled,  Potters and Potteries of New York State, 1650-1900: Second Edition, which was published in 1987.

Sadly, William Ketchum Jr. passed away last year at the age of 90, and some of the red earthenware and stoneware that he owned has been appearing at various auction houses, especially some of the objects that were published in his book American Redware.

For instance, this red earthenware teapot was sold in a group lot without a provenance in Skinner's Country Americana online auction in Marlborough, Massachusetts that ended on March 15, 2022. Some of the other pieces that sold in the lot may have also been published in American Redware. According to the information that Ketchum published about this teapot: "Redware teapot, c. 1830-60, attributed to Connecticut and formerly in the Hampstead House, New London."

However, rather than the "Hampstead House," I think it should have read the Joshua Hempsted House in New London, Connecticut; the house was built about 1678 and altered several times in the eighteenth century, as well as being one of the state's oldest buildings.  It was home to the Hempsted family until 1939. There is also another Hempstead House in New London that is adjacent to this home and built by Nathaniel Hempsted in 1759. Both of these properties are included as part of Connecticut Landmarks today.

Other examples of stoneware and red earthenware owned by Ketchum have sold through Skinner over the past year. This lot was a bargain selling for only $188 including the buyer's premium.

Note: This sale also included a wonderful eighteenth or early nineteenth slip decorated red earthenware pan that was probably made in the Hartford, Connecticut area.

A Red Earthenware Teapot that was Published in the Book American Redware

A Collection of Red Earthenware that Sold in a Single Lot

The Teapot was Published in the 1991 Book American Redware

Previously Owned by William Ketchum Jr. (1931-2021)

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Skinner

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

A 19th Century Red Earthenware Face Pitcher Recently Found in New Hampshire

From time to time good examples of historic red earthenware and stoneware have been known to show up at the weekly Milford, New Hampshire Antiques Show, such as a great nineteenth century northern New England red earthenware rundlet with a political inscription that I wrote about earlier this year.

Nevertheless, this nineteenth century red earthenware face pitcher was just found at the show in Milford a few weeks ago; I am not positive, but the face and hair do somewhat resemble Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834), a French aristocrat and military officer who fought in the American Revolution, commanding American troops in several battles, including the siege of Yorktown in Virginia. 

Various wares commemorating Lafayette were manufactured in America in the 1820s when Lafayette made a tour of the twenty-four states from July 1824 to September 1825. During this visit, he was also the last surviving major general of the Revolutionary War. Historical accounts document his trip as receiving a hero's welcome, and many honors and monuments were presented to commemorate and memorialize the visit. 

Among the domestic commemorative red earthenware that was produced were wares manufactured in Norwalk, Connecticut and River Edge, New Jersey, which can be read about in a research article I wrote for the January 8, 2021 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled, The Red Earthenware Manufactured In River Edge, New Jersey: A Look At Bergen County, Pottery. I also cited Lafayette's visit and connection to the pottery industry in Concord, New Hampshire in a research story I wrote for the June 2021 issue of Maine Antique Digest, titled, The Red Earthenware Industry in Concord, New Hampshire. 

These type of historical pitchers were made at a number of potteries in America in the 1800s, which represent various historical figures; they were made in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and probably other places as well. My guess is that this pitcher was made somewhere in the Northeast, although since I have never seen anything like it before, I am hesitant to be more specific about where it was made.

And as I have stated, my thought is that this figure may represent Lafayette, but if anyone reading this has any other suggestions - please let me know!

Note: It has also been suggested by Massachusetts potter Rick Hamelin that this may very well be a Mexican piece made in the 1900s.

A 19th Century Red Earthenware Face Pitcher Recently Found in New Hampshire

19th or 20th Century Red Earthenware Face Pitcher

Recently Discovered in New Hampshire

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Mark Newton

Another View of the Pitcher

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Photo Courtesy: Mark Newton

View of the Interior

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Photo Courtesy: Mark Newton

View of the Handle

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Photo Courtesy: Mark Newton

View of the Base

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Photo Courtesy: Mark Newton

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

A Wonderful Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl that Sold Over the Weekend at New Haven Auctions in Connecticut

As many of you reading this may recall, Camden, Ohio antiques dealer David Good sold much of his lifelong antiques collection and dealer inventory in January of this year through New Haven Auctions in Branford, Connecticut. Although, some objects from Good's collection were also included in New Haven Auctions sale yesterday, which featured consignments from various owners.

Among those objects was a multi-colored nineteenth century slip decorated red earthenware bowl, adorned with a two-color slip decorated motif in the center; the use of colors on this piece is similar to wares made at a number of potteries in places like Berks County, Pennsylvania in the 1800s, as well as elsewhere in southeastern Pennsylvania in the eighteenth and nineteenth century. But the thought is that this bowl was more likely manufactured in Maryland, circa 1780-1830, perhaps in Hagerstown, Maryland. 

In fact, I posted an article on this website in June of 2019 that showed various artifacts that were recovered from an early 1800s archaeological context in Cearfoss, Maryland, where the domestic red earthenware from this site was thought to have originated in Hagerstown. Those artifacts include various rim sherds that are similar in decoration to the way the slip adorns this rim.

From my perspective, the way the back of this bowl was manufactured also seems different than the typical single colored slip decorated bowls that are attributed to Pennsylvania today from the 1800s. Nonetheless, the bowl did very well selling for $8,500 plus the auction premiums.

A Wonderful Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl from the Mid Atlantic Region

Late 18th or 19th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl with a Motif in the Center

Attributed to the Mid Atlantic Region

Possibly Made in Hagerstown, MD

Possibly Circa 1780-1830

Measures 8 3/4" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: New Haven Auctions

View of the Back of the Bowl

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Photo Courtesy: New Haven Auctions

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