An Exceptional Example of Abraham Mead's Stoneware Production from Greenwich, Connecticut Dated "1789" that is Owned by The Bruce Museum

Found in the collection of The Bruce Museum in Greenwich, Connecticut is what I consider to be one of the best stoneware objects known from Abraham Mead (1742-1827) today, which the museum describes as a "salt container." The small bottle or flask is displayed in the museum’s permanent gallery, and was gifted to the museum in 1956 by Winfred S. Mills.

According to the Connecticut Historical Society, "Abraham Mead was born in Greenwich, Connecticut in 1742; he was the eleventh son of Ebenezer Mead II (1692-1775) and Hannah (Brown) Mead (1691-1746) who married in 1717, although his father married a second time in 1735 to Ruth (Reynolds) Mead (1704-1740). His father's family traced their lineage to William Mead of England, who came to America in 1635 via the Massachusetts colony; his mother was a descendant of Peter Brown, who came from Rye, Sussex, England on the "Mayflower." At the age of fourteen, Abraham Mead became an apprentice to the potter Adam Staats, who is considered to be Connecticut's first stoneware potter. After his apprenticeship, Mead opened his own pottery in the Horseneck area of Greenwich. He remained in Greenwich and was the master to several Connecticut stoneware potters, including his master's son, Adam States, who later worked in Stonington, Connecticut." Mead was also known as “Deacon Potter,” since he was both a deacon of the Second Congregational Church and the owner of a successful pottery. 

Mead shipped his pottery far along the coast in his own barges, and he paid off the debt of the church on Meeting House Hill in Greenwich with income from his pottery and then served as town treasurer for a decade, beginning in 1787.

It was also about 1799 that the successful Mead built a farmhouse on eight acres of land in Greenwich; crowning the circular summer house on the front lawn of the Mead property in what was then known as Horse Neck Field Point, stood a womanly ship’s figurehead with rosy cheeks and black eyes, gowned in flowing white robes over a hoop skirt. Originally the figurehead fronted the clipper ship, the Lady Lancashire, commanded by William L. Lyon, although the figurehead now resides in a New York City museum.

Note: For more information about Mead - see a story that I posted to this website in April of this year, titled, A Stoneware Jar Made in Greenwich, Connecticut in 1791 that Until Recently Descended Through Mead Family Ownership: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/04/a-stoneware-jar-made-in-greenwich.html.

Stoneware Bottle or Flask Made by Abraham Mead in 1789

18th Century Stoneware Bottle or Flask Made by Abraham Mead in 1789

Made at Mead's Business in Greenwich, CT

Dated in Cobalt Script "1789"

Reportedly Used as a Salt Container

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: The Bruce Museum

Pleas Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...

A Good 19th Century Red Earthenware Flowerpot Made by Solomon Bell in Strasburg, Virginia

While visiting a private collection last summer in Manhattan, I saw some great examples of American red earthenware and stoneware, some of which has either been published or will be published in feature stories that I have written for various publications. Some of the objects have also been posted in various stories to this website, although I have yet to show this well-used nineteenth century red earthenware flowerpot. 

This circa 1850-1880 flowerpot is stamped "SOLOMON BELL / STRASBURG / VA," and it is impressed with various designs, including the oval type stamps near the midsection, which were used by Bell and other potters on the bases of various nineteenth century figurals made in the Mid-Atlantic region, especially in Strasburg and Pennsylvania. 

Born in Hagerstown, Maryland in 1817, Solomon Bell (1817-1882) was the youngest son of Peter and Anna Maria Bell. Per church records, he was born on September 4, 1817 and christened in December of 1817 in Hagerstown at St. John's Lutheran Church.

His father, Peter Bell (1775-1847), operated a pottery shop in Hagerstown and taught the trade to his sons, John, Samuel and Solomon. In 1824, Peter moved his family to Winchester, Virginia, and Solomon continued to work with his father, while Solomon's older brother John Bell (1800-1880), who was also born in Hagerstown operated a well-known pottery in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, where Solomon worked briefly in 1840. Furthermore, the Renfrew Museum & Park in Waynesboro owns most likely the most comprehensive collection of Bell family pottery in existence today, a subject that I wrote a feature story about for the December 7, 2018 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled, The Bell Pottery Collection at the Renfrew Museum in Waynesboro, Pa.: https://antiquesandauctionnews.net/articles/The-Bell-Pottery-Collection-At-The-Renfrew-Museum-In-Waynesboro%2C-Pa~/.

Nevertheless, in 1845, Solomon joined his brother Samuel (1811-1891) in the production of red earthenware and stoneware, operating a pottery on the corner of Fort and Queen Streets in Strasburg for about 37 years. Per census records, Solomon never married and lived with his brother Samuel and his family until Solomon's death in 1882.

Interestingly, this is the only flowerpot that I can find exactly like this example, based on what I can find in auction results, books and museum collections. I'm guessing that it stands around ten-inches in height.

Note: For more information about some of the various stamps applied by Solomon Bell - see a story that I posted to this website in October of 2022 about a red earthenware cat that I acquired, which was previously owned by a department head at Sotheby's in New York City: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2022/10/a-rare-19th-century-red-earthenware-cat.html.

Red Earthenware Flowerpot Made by Solomon Bell in Strasburg, VA

19th Century Red Earthenware Flowerpot Made in Strasburg, Virginia

Stamped on Reverse Side "SOLOMON BELL / STRASBURG / VA"

Circa 1850-1880

Stands About 10" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

Samuel Bell Listed as a "Potter" in the 1850 Federal Census in Strasburg, VA

Solomon is also Listed Among Other Family Members

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Samuel & Solomon Bell Listed as a "Potter"

This is from the 1860 United States Federal Census in Strasburg, VA

Other Family Members are also Listed

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Solomon Bell Listed as a "Potter" in the 1880 Federal Census in Strasburg, VA

Another Family Member Polk Bell is also Listed as a "Potter"

See Article for More Information

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

A Rare Marked 19th Century Red Earthenware Vase from Beverly, Mass. Owned by the Colonel Ashley House

While speaking at the Bidwell House Museum last weekend in the Berkshires in Monterey, Massachusetts, I visited the circa 1735 Colonel Ashley House afterwards in Sheffield, Massachusetts, where I was incredibly surprised to see the extent of this museum's red earthenware collection. In fact, it has to be among the best collections of New England red earthenware owned by any American museum today (i.e. National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute, Old Sturbridge Village, Historic New England, etc.).

Among the objects that I did not expect to see was a circa 1870 or so red earthenware vase with a mottled glaze that was impressed on the base with a maker's mark, partially reading, "From C.A. LAWRENCE." 

Charles A. Lawrence (1829-1904) owned and operated a pottery business in Beverly, Massachusetts from the 1860s to around the time he died in 1904. This is an important business today, seeing that Lawrence's company was the first in America to advertise itself as a pottery that produced ancient style painted red earthenware, as early as 1872. Some other locals potteries soon followed in Chelsea, Massachusetts and North Cambridge, Massachusetts, but Lawrence predated their production. This is also a type of production that was already happening in Europe, although American potter's certainly took notice of this style of pottery at the Centennial Exposition of 1876 in Philadelphia, which resulted in even more businesses manufacturing ancient inspired shapes in the late 1870s through the early 1900s. The best known example of this type of production from Beverly is perhaps a painted jug that is displayed in the Americana Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/4584.

Nonetheless, I finalized my forthcoming 647-page eighth book earlier this week, titled, An Influential Family of Early Potters: The Clarks of New Hampshire and Related Businesses, and this vase will be included in the book, seeing that there is a short section about the Beverly Pottery. The reason for this is because the John Farmer Clark (1832-1885) Pottery in Concord, New Hampshire also produced some decorative wares in the late 1870s and 1880s, and for whatever reason, Lawrence was advertising his production during this period in Concord newspapers. It is also documented that the Beverly Pottery was shipping some production to Concord, based on information published in The Boston Globe on January 22, 1876.

For more information - see my first book, titled, The Beverly Pottery: The Wares of Charles A. Lawrence: https://historicbeverly.net/product/the-beverly-pottery-the-wares-of-charles-a-lawrence/.

Marked 19th Century Red Earthenware Vase from Beverly, Mass.

19th Century Red Earthenware Vase with a Mottled Glaze

Made at the C.A. Lawrence Pottery in Beverly, Mass.

The Base is Impressed with the Maker's Mark

Circa 1870 or so

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: The Col. Ashley House

The Mark on the Base Partially Reads, "From C.A. LAWRENCE"

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: The Col. Ashley House

Information About the Beverly Pottery Published in The Boston Globe on Jan. 22 1876

This Information Cites an Order of Wares that were Shipped to Concord, N.H.

This Information is Expanded Upon in my Forthcoming N.H. Book

See Article for More Information

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

Two Unusual 20th Century Earthenware Vases Made at the "PEABODY POTTERY" in Peabody, Massachusetts Recently Found in Florida

I was rather surprised to learn about these two twentieth century earthenware vases that were recently found in an estate sale in Vero Beach, Florida, which were possibly made at the M.B. Paige Pottery in Peabody, Massachusetts, circa 1900-1950 or so. The base of each is impressed "PEABODY POTTERY," a mark that is found with various objects owned by such museums today as the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Peabody Historical Society, among other museums. 

Although, what struck me about both of these objects is that the base of both pieces was also inscribed "H.S." and "T. Rhodes," essentially reading, "PEABODY / H.S. / T. Rhodes / POTTERY." 

There may have been some sort of relationship that the Peabody Pottery had with Peabody High School, presumably if that is what the "H.S." represents; however, if this is the case, then very little is known about this today, whether it was a high school student (or perhaps an art teacher), who was visiting or working in some capacity at the business or if the pottery was actually involved with the high school. These are the only objects that I have ever seen like this; therefore, this is also the only name that I have ever seen connected to this type of production.

Furthermore, in some ways, these two small vases also remind me of similar objects that were made by Frederick H. Norton (1896-1992), who had visited several American potteries that were still in operation in the 1900s, including the Peabody Pottery; this was before he produced his own pottery, as a department head at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I also wrote a feature story about Norton for the August 16, 2019 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled, The Career, Research And Collection Of Frederick H. Norton: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2019/08/feature-story-about-career-research-and.html.

For more information - see my second book, titled, The Moses B. Paige Company: The Last of the Peabody Potteries: https://historicbeverly.net/product/the-moses-b-paige-company-the-last-of-the-peabody-potteries/.

Thoughts?

Note: These vases were made with a white colored earthenware, a type of clay that I have not seen from the Peabody Pottery before, although I have read accounts that they were importing some clay. All other objects from the Peabody Pottery that I have seen are made with a dark red colored earthenware, similar to the color of a red brick. I also cannot imagine that someone was using the "Peabody Pottery" name after production had stopped in the early 1950s at the location of the Osborn/Reed/Paige Pottery, which was established in 1736 and ceased production in the 1950s with two Italian immigrant potters, a subject that I wrote a feature story about for the May 12, 2023 issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly, titled, Ermano & Luigi Paolucci: Two Italian Immigrant Potters In Peabody, Mass.: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2023/05/new-published-article-in-antiques-and.html.

20th Century Earthenware Vases Made at the "PEABODY POTTERY"

20th Century Earthenware Vases Made at the "PEABODY POTTERY"

Marked on the Base "PEABODY / H.S. / T. Rhodes / POTTERY"

Probably Circa 1900-1950

See Article for More Information

A View of the Marked Base

See Article for More Information

20th Century Earthenware Vases Made at the "PEABODY POTTERY"

Marked on the Base "PEABODY / H.S. / T. Rhodes / POTTERY"

Probably Circa 1900-1940

Stands 4 1/4" Tall

See Article for More Information\

A View of the Marked Base

See Article for More Information

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

Four 19th Century Earthenware Vases Made at the Chelsea Keramic Arts Works in Massachusetts in 1879 for the John J. Glessner House in Chicago

Earlier this year, I discussed some custom made pottery manufactured for a prestigious estate in Massachusetts in the early 1900s, as part of a feature story I wrote that was published in the February 9, 2024 issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly, titled, The Salt-Glazed Stoneware Made By Russell Crook, South Lincoln, Mass.: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/01/published-feature-story-in-antiques-and.html?m=1. Nonetheless, this was not an anomaly, whereas in one way or another, there were other potters in Massachusetts in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century that also fulfilled custom orders.

For instance, in the collection of John J. Glessner House in Chicago are four earthenware objects that were commissioned from the Chelsea Keramic Arts Works in Chelsea, Massachusetts. The vase shown in this post is one of the examples that was produced in 1879 for the Glessners by Isaac E. Scott (1845-1920) in Chelsea. The Chelsea Keramic Art Works was founded in 1866 by Alexander. W. Robertson (1829-1906), where the firm was known for producing wares of very high quality both in materials and design, and remained in operation until 1889.

Additionally, the Glessner House is an architecturally important nineteenth century residence that was built during the Gilded Age, and it was designed in 1885–1886 by architect Henry Hobson Richardson (1838-1886) and completed in 1887. The property was designated a Chicago Landmark on October 14, 1970. The site was also listed in the National Register of Historic Places on April 17, 1970, and as a National Historic Landmark on January 7, 1976; today it is maintained as a house museum.

Furthermore, Isaac Scott played a central role in the life of the Glessners from the time of their initial meeting at the Interstate Industrial Exposition in 1875, until his death in 1920, manufacturing a variety of objects from differential materials for the house.  The bulk of the pieces made by Scott for the family were created between 1875 and 1883, the year he moved to New York.  By 1889 he had relocated to Boston, where he taught at the Eliot School in Jamaica Plain, an institution devoted to arts and crafts

Note: This vase was displayed about fifteen years ago at the Art Institute of Chicago, as part of their exhibit and catalog, "Apostles of Beauty: Arts and Crafts from Britain to Chicago," which ran from November 7, 2009 to January 31, 2010.

Earthenware Vases Made at the Chelsea Keramic Arts Works

19th Century Earthenware Vase Made at the Chelsea Keramic Art Works

Made at the Pottery by Isaac E. Scott in 1879

Scott Made Four of These for the John J. Glessner House in Chicago

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: John J. Glessner House

Two of the Four Vases that Scott Made in Chelsea for the Glessner House

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: John J. Glessner House

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

A Selection of 19th Century Red Earthenware from Vermont that Sold Yesterday in New Hampshire

A selection of 20 nineteenth century red earthenware objects sold yesterday at Steenburgh Auctions in Haverhill, New Hampshire, most of which was made in Vermont (one small earthenware pitcher was possibly from Western New York), and some that had previously sold as part of a larger important lifelong collection of Vermont-made red earthenware that sold at Skinner in Boston in November of 2018. Although, the most significant object that sold yesterday was probably an unmarked red earthenware jar that was likely made by Edwin William Farrar (1808-1845) in East Middlebury, Vermont, circa 1830.

Red earthenware production began in the East Middlebury area about 1812 when Caleb Farrar (1780-1859) settled in Middlebury. He was born in Ipswich, New Hampshire and was 32 years old when he established the Middlebury business, which he and his son, Edwin ran for so many years. In fact, some of the younger Farrar's best production from about circa 1830 is found in various art museum's today, including Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Bennington Museum in Vermont, the Hood Museum at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and the Vermont Historical Society, whereas the jar that sold yesterday is similar in shape to some of the jars owned by these museums.

Auction results are not immediately available online - but some will probably eventually be published in Antiques And The Arts Weekly, among perhaps other publications, otherwise contact the auction house. Furthermore, I was told the Farrar jar had some restoration, but nonetheless, it is still a very nice example.

Note: Interestingly, I tried finding some census information last week while researching the Farrar family's red earthenware production in East Middlebury, and there is very little documented information in census records. But it does appear that more family members may have been involved with red earthenware production at this business outside of just Caleb and Edwin.

19th Century Red Earthenware from Vermont that Sold Today

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Made in Vermont

Likely Made by Edwin William Farrar (1808-1845) in East Middlebury, Vermont

Probably Circa 1830

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Steenburgh Auctions

Selection of Vermont Red Earthenware that Sold Yesterday in New Hampshire

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Steenburgh Auctions

This Small Earthenware Pitcher was Probably Made in Western New York

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Steenburgh Auctions

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

Some Good Examples of Red Earthenware and Stoneware that Sold Today at Tremont Auctions in Sudbury, Mass.

Two very large examples of nineteenth century red earthenware sold today as part of a single owner collection of antiques at Tremont Auctions in Sudbury, Massachusetts. I previewed this sale a few days ago, and I was impressed with the size of these jars, measuring at least eighteen inches in height, and both of which were possibly made in New York.

However, archaeological evidence kept as part of the Lura Woodside Watkins (1897-1982) Collection at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. suggests that one of these jars was most likely produced after 1819 at the Elijiah Cornell (1771-1862) Pottery in DeRuyter, New York, whereas Cornell previously worked in New York City and trained at the industry in Bristol County, Massachusetts. This is the first time that I have seen this color combination on these types of jars, which are better represented today with an orange glaze, black bands and slip decoration. But either way, there are only a small group of these types of jars known today; aside from this jar with a mottled brown glaze and black bands, a green glaze with black bands was also produced.

According to Watkins' book, Early New England Potters and Their Wares, "The eighteenth century Chace Pottery in Somerset, Massachusetts (southeastern Massachusetts) was indirectly responsible for the first steps in the career of a famous man when, on January 28, 1791, Elijah Cornell was apprenticed to Asa Chace. This young man's mother, Sarah (Miller) Cornell had made a second marriage with Asa's cousin, Benjamin Chace, and Elijah was no doubt familiar with the pottery from earliest childhood. 

Born in Swansea, Massachusetts in 1771, he had got what schooling he could receive there and had done a little teaching, but he evidently had a bent for the potter's craft. After his apprenticeship was ended, he worked as a journeyman potter. But for an ambitious youth, this was not enough.

In 1805, he sold out his holdings in Swansea and went to Westchester Landing in New York City. Cornell's subsequent history is one of many moves and much hardship, but gains interest because he was the father of Ezra Cornell, founder of Cornell University. 

Little Ezra gained the fortitude that was his while working in his father's redware pottery. In 1819, the family settled in DeRuyter, New York, where, after a period of teaching, Elijah again established a pottery, which Ezra helped to build. 

In 1943, we visited this site and were rewarded by the discovery of a small collection of fragments (now owned by the Smithsonian). Elijah had evidently advanced somewhat beyond the rather restrained technique of the Massachusetts potters, for in DeRuyter he decorated a good deal of his ware with slip of two colors, black and white, either marbled or applied in bold wavy lines against backgrounds of contrasting hue.""

Furthermore, the history of this business is also a subject of a chapter in my fifth book, titled, A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod: https://historicbeverly.net/product/a-celebrated-industry-the-historic-wares-of-southeastern-massachusetts-bristol-county-and-cape-cod/.

Nevertheless, this lot of two jars sold very reasonably for $375 plus the buyer's premium.

Two Large 19th Century Red Earthenware Jars

Both Possibly Made in New York

The Jar Shown to the Left was Likely Made at the Cornell Pottery in DeRuyter, New York

Smallest Stands 18" Tall

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Jars

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Another View of the Jars

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This Jar was Likely Made at the Cornell Pottery in DeRuyter, New York

See Article for More Information

This Jar was also Possibly Made in New York

It Stands 18 3/4" Tall

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A View of One of the Handles

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A View of Some of the Incised Decoration

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Another View of Some of the Incised Decoration

See Article for More Information

A View of the Other Handle

See Article for More Information

Another significant object in the sale today was an outstanding twentieth century stoneware vase made by Russell Crook (1869-1955) in South Lincoln, Massachusetts in 1927; the base was inscribed "RC 27." Both sides of the vase were also decorated with standing cranes, although the reverse side (not pictured) sustained some damage. 

For more information - see a feature story I wrote that was published in the February 9, 2024 issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly, titled, The Salt-Glazed Stoneware Made By Russell Crook, South Lincoln, Mass.: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/01/published-feature-story-in-antiques-and.html?m=1.

This vase sold for $650 plus the buyer's premium.

20th Century Stoneware Vase Made by Russell Crook in South Lincoln, Mass.

Inscribed on the Base "RC 27"

Decorated on Both Sides with Standing Cranes

Stands 12 1/2"  Tall

See Article for More Information

Note: For the rest of the pottery in today's sale - see the auction catalog: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/329837_annual-spring-fine-arts-and-antiques/.

Some of the Other Pottery that Sold Today at Tremont Auctions in Sudbury, Mass.

See Article for More Information

Some of the Other Pottery that Sold Today at Tremont Auctions in Sudbury, Mass.

See Article for More Information

Some of the Other Pottery that Sold Today at Tremont Auctions in Sudbury, Mass.

See Article for More Information

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