Perhaps a North Carolina Lamp Base with a Tiffany Style Glass Shade Found Yesterday in New Hampshire

I know that some of the art potters working in North Carolina during the circa 1920s-1970 period produced some earthenware and stoneware lamp bases, such as Ben Owen (1904-1983), although I was completely surprised to find this twentieth century lamp yesterday after a hike at Mount Major, which overlooks Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. I actually found the lamp in an old barn that has been converted into an artisan center and antiques-type shop in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. But I have never seen anything like it before. The people running the shop told me that the lamp was found locally.

Furthermore, I suspect the vibrant blue glazed earthenware lamp base may have been made in North Carolina, although I am not sure who made it, but the base is signed by the potter and inscribed with what appears to be the number "226."

However, I have to admit though, that I am not sure if this is a piece that was married together, meaning that the base and shade were added together at one point rather than originally manufactured together. But the numbered base also leads me to believe that it was produced this way on a limited basis.

Additionally, the lamp shade is very well made and dates from the 1950s-1960s,  whereas it is entirely hand-made and produced in the style of Tiffany lamp shades that were made in New York City in the early 1900s, such as a wide selection that are displayed at the New York Historical Society in Manhattan. 

The interior of the lamp shade is also marked with a small brass plate that reads "SPECTRUM," a style of shade that has been sold by various auction houses in America, including Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates in Mount Crawford, Virginia.  

According to the North Carolina Pottery Center in Seagrove, North Carolina, some of the state's other art potters who made lamp bases, include the Brown Pottery, the Hilton Pottery, the North State Pottery, some unsigned chrome red glazed bases, as well as others.

Interestingly, another company that produced these types of lamp bases in America in the 1900s was the Frey Pottery, which I wrote a story about for the October 21, 2022 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled, The Frey Pottery: The Forgotten History Of An American Red Earthenware Manufacturer: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2022/10/new-published-story-frey-pottery_17.html

Note: If you follow me on Instagram then you'll see that I put up a video showing this shade illuminated last night.

Perhaps a North Carolina Lamp Base with a Tiffany Style Glass Shade

20th Century Blue Glazed Earthenware Lamp Base and Tiffany Style Lamp Shade

The Shade is American-Made and Marked with a Brass Plate "SPECTRUM"

The Earthenware Base was Possibly Made in North Carolina

The Base is also Signed and Numbered

Found Yesterday in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire

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This Photo was Taken Moments After I Found the Lamp

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The Interior of the Shade is Marked with a Brass Plate that Reads "SPECTRUM"

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Another View of the Lamp Base

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Another View of the Lamp Base

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A View of the Base

The Base is Signed and Appears to be Numbered

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A Closer View of the Signature and the Number

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A Hand-Made Painted "Pottery" Sign from Monteagle, Tennessee

In keeping with the "POTTER" signed I posted about yesterday - this is another object that I think is so cool! This is an old hand-made painted “Pottery” sign that used to hang outside a store that closed a long time ago in Monteagle, Tennessee. It was found inside the old building by Tennessee antiques dealer John Haynes, alongside some stoneware that was possibly made in Cookeville, Tennessee in the 1800s, but at the least, it was stoneware manufactured in Middle Tennessee.

According Haynes, "Monteagle was a popular tourist stop back in the day for people traveling south to Florida. Al Capone used to visit on his way down to Miami from Chicago. I believe a lot of Middle Tennessee pottery was sold to tourists during this period and why the store had the sign."

A Hand-Made Painted "Pottery" Sign from Monteagle, TN

Old Hand-Made Pottery Sign from Monteagle, Tennessee

Used to Hang Outside a Store in Monteagle

The Store is Thought to Have Sold Pottery Mad in the Middle Tennessee Area

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Photo Courtesy: John Haynes

An Example of Middle Tennessee Pottery that was Found with the Sign

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Photo Courtesy: John Haynes

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A Hand-Painted Wooden Sign that Reads "Potter" Found in an Old House in the Merrimack Valley in Massachusetts

This is what I suspect is a twentieth century hand-painted American wooden sign that I picked up this past spring, although I do not know much about it. The sign's script reads "POTTER," although the type of the script and the construction of the sign reminds me more of signs that were produced in the late 1800s and early 1900s; however, I am not positive of that. 

Furthermore, the dealer (or picker) who I bought it from had just pulled it out of an old house in the Merrimack Valley in Massachusetts. I believe it was the same property that I purchased a nineteenth century New England-made black painted oval top table for my mother for her birthday this year, where the known history of that table was that it was found in a nineteenth century farmhouse in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. I should also mention that both of the these objects were purchased at different times from the same picker.

Additionally, the farmhouse, along with a period barn that went with it were about to be torn down for modern construction (the house ended up being saved and renovated while the barn has since been torn down); this picker told me that when he arrived there was a large dumpster in front of the house and some of the contents from the property were in the process of being thrown into it. He said he did retrieve some objets from the dumpster, although to his knowledge, there was never an estate sale or any type of auction before this happened. I was also told that the family who lived in this farmhouse had occupied the property dating back to the 1800s, and the table was most likely original to that family's ownership. Interestingly, there are round impressions all along the rim of the oval top on the table from where apple peelers were applied to it through the years (the property did have apple trees at one time).

A Hand-Painted Wooden Sign that Reads "Potter"

Probably American 20th Century Hand-Painted Sign that Reads "Potter"

Recently Discovered in an Old House in the Merrimack Valley in Mass. 

Measures 20 3/4" in Length

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Another View of the Sign

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Another View of the Sign

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Another View of the Sign

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Another View of the Sign

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Another View of the Sign

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A 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug From Wisconsin Sells on eBay

A good example of nineteenth century red earthenware from Wisconsin sold last night on eBay for just under $1,100, whereas the jug was prominently decorated on the front in slip with a number "2" that represented the gallon capacity and a tulip.

I suspect that this jug was made in Whitewater, Wisconsin, where four potteries operated from 1841-1882, on North Fremont Street, near the Train Depot on James Street, adjacent to Whiton Street, and briefly near the south end of Jefferson Street. But I know that there was also similar types of production that took place elsewhere in the state during the same period.

For more information about this type of production in Wisconsin and archaeology from some potter's sites - I suggest the website https://madefromclay.org.

A 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug From Wisconsin

19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Made in Wisconsin

Probably Made in Whitewater, WI

Circa 1841-1882

Stands 12" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: eBay

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A Good Example of Smithfield Pottery from North Carolina Found in Massachusetts

I was thrilled to acquire this very good example of twentieth century earthenware yesterday from Massachusetts antiques dealer John Prunier, which he discovered earlier this year at the antique shows in Brimfield, Massachusetts. The vase was made at the Smithfield Pottery in North Carolina, circa 1927-1940, and is decorated in the company's desirable blue flambe glaze.

According to some information that I found about this company posted in a North Carolina pottery group on Facebook, "Herman Cole relocated from Moore County, North Carolina to Smithfield along the banks of the Neuse River in 1927 and began producing beautiful pottery that, at its prime, was being shipped to New York City three to four times per week and sold in stores such as Macy’s. In 1929 at least one shipment went to Hawaii. Pottery was also sold locally to travelers on Highway 22, later to become Highway 301."

Interestingly, this vase may have been an example that was originally sold in New York City, although it could have also traveled to New England through the tourist trade in North Carolina.

Additionally, a good example of Smithfield Pottery with this type of glaze is illustrated on the cover of Stephen Compton's book, North Carolina Pottery: Earthenware, Stoneware and Fancyware - https://www.amazon.com/North-Carolina-Pottery-Earthenware-Identification/dp/1574326953

For more information about some of the other North Carolina pottery that we have found in New England in the past year or so - see my latest published story in the September 22, 2023 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled A Wide Selection Of 20th Century Pottery From North Carolina Found In New England: A Brief Examination Of Asian-Influence Pottery From Jugtown Pottery: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2023/09/new-published-story-in-antiques-auction_25.html

A Good Example of Smithfield Pottery from North Carolina

My Niece Alexis Pictured with the Vase

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20th Century Earthenware Vase Decorated with a Blue Flambe Glaze

Attributed to the Smithfield Pottery in North Carolina

Circa 1927-1940

Stands 11" Tall

May Have Originally Been Sold in New York City

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Another View of the Vase

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Another View of the Vase

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Another View of the Vase

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A View of the Base

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A Small Stoneware Jug Decorated with a Hand-Drawn Flower in Cobalt

I purchased this probably eighteenth century stoneware jug with a hand-drawn flower in cobalt yesterday from museum specialist and Cape Cod antiques dealer Brian Cullity, whereas he recently acquired it in the Midwest. I have since passed it along to a stoneware collector, although the reason that I purchased it is because of the shape of the flower and its placement. It reminded me of a stamped and often infilled flower that William Pecker (1757-1820) was applying on objects that he made in South Amesbury (Merrimacport, Massachusetts) about 1810-1820. 

Furthermore, I suspect that the small eight-inch jug was made in Manhattan, but if not there, then somewhere in the Hudson River Region. However, as I have documented in publication and at my recent talk at the Stoneware Collectors Group Presentation at the Bennington Museum in Vermont - William Pecker may have been a trained New York City stoneware potter. Could there be a relationship between these two objects?

For more information about William Pecker's stoneware production - see the fourth book in my pottery book series from Historic Beverly in Massachusetts, titled, South Amesbury's Red Earthenware & Stoneware: The 1791-1820 William Pecker Pottery: https://historicbeverly.net/product/south-amesburys-red-earthenware-stoneware-production/

Stoneware Jug Decorated with a Hand-Drawn Flower in Cobalt

A Comparison of the Two Jugs

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Possibly 18th Century Small Stoneware Jug

Decorated with a Hand-Drawn Flower

Possibly Made in Manhattan Otherwise Perhaps the Hudson River Region

Stands About 8" Tall

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Another View of the Jug

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Another View of the Jug

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Another View of the Jug

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Another View of the Jug

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Another View of the Jug

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A View of the Handle

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A View of the Base

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Early 19th Century Two-Gallon Stoneware Jug

Attributed to the William Pecker Pottery in South Amesbury (Merrimacport), Mass.

Decorated with a Stamped Flower that was Infilled with Cobalt

Circa 1810-1820

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A View of the Capacity Mark and Stamped Flower

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Another View of the Jug

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A View of the Base

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Some Good Examples of 19th Century Red Earthenware & Stoneware that Sold in Randolph, Maine

Some good examples of nineteenth century American red earthenware and stoneware sold yesterday at Rusty Farrin's Country Auctions fall 2023 Americana sale in Randolph, Maine. Although, the selection of pottery was highlighted by a nineteenth century cobalt decorated stoneware pitcher marked "J. Swank and Co., Johnstown, PA." The pitcher sold for $12,000 plus the buyer's premium.

Furthermore, this may have been a record price at auction for a pitcher from this maker, whereas the closest auction result that I can find online is a pitcher that sold at Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland in the spring of 2022 for $9,000 plus the buyer's premium: https://www.crockerfarm.com/stoneware-auction/2022-04-08/lot-167/Outstanding-J-SWANK-CO-JOHNSTOWN-PA-1-2-Gal-Stoneware-Pitcher/

Additional objects in this sale included a wonderful nineteenth century green glazed red earthenware jug that was likely made in Maine that sold for $5,150, plus the buyer's premium, and a two-gallon nineteenth century cobalt decorated batter jug marked "Cowden & Wilcox, Harrisburg, PA," which sold for $4,500, plus the buyer's premium.

There were also some group lots of early American pottery, whereas one of those lots consisted of a group of nineteenth century green glazed red earthenware objects and an incised stoneware jug from the 1800s; however, included in this lot was a really good green glazed red earthenware handled pot made in South Amesbury (Merrimacport), Massachusetts, circa 1800-1840. The lot sold for $1,550 plus the buyer's premium.

Note: To see the rest of the pottery in this sale, here is a link to the auction catalog: https://www.invaluable.com/catalog/OPLUJQLFPL?page=1&size=48

19th Century Red Earthenware & Stoneware that Sold in Randolph, ME

19th Century Cobalt Decorated Stoneware Pitcher

Marked "J. Swank and Co., Johnstown, PA"

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Photo Courtesy: Toby Ramirez

19th Century Green Glazed Red Earthenware Jug

Most Likely Made in Maine

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Photo Courtesy: Rusty Farrin

19th Century Cobalt Decorated Stoneware Batter Jug

Marked "Cowden and Wilcox, Harrisburg, PA"

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Photo Courtesy: Toby Ramirez

19th Century Green Glazed Red Earthenware Handled Pot

Attributed to the Potteries in South Amesbury (Merrimacport), Mass.

Sold in a Group Lot

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Photo Courtesy: Rusty Farrin

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