A Very Large Circa 1876-1930 Red Earthenware Flowerpot Made at the M.B. Paige Pottery Found Yesterday in Peabody, Mass.

I took my niece to her soccer game yesterday in Beverly, Massachusetts, and I was quite surprised to find this very large late nineteenth or early twentieth century hand-thrown double-handled red earthenware flowerpot on our way home. We found it in Peabody, Massachusetts, less than one-mile from where it was originally made at the M.B. Paige Pottery in Peabody, circa 1876-1930. One of the handles even retains some glaze from another piece of red earthenware that accidentally spilled on the pot, whether it was in the kiln or during the manufacturing process. 

Among the customers for the Paige Pottery flowerpots in the early 1900s was Isabella Stewart Gardner (1840-1924) and her family in Boston. Some of the flowerpots were used at Fenway Court for trees and shrubs. There is even an original circa 1920 photograph of these types of handled flowerpots in storage owned by the Peabody Historical Society (see last picture). But some (most?) of the pots shown in that photo only had one drainage hole, whereas this pot has five, which really demonstrates its size, measuring 10 3/4" by 12 3/4" (rim to rim). I suspect this is the type of pot that was used by Gardner at Fenway Court.

However, I also suspect that the Paige Pottery may have been the most prolific producer of large hand-thrown red earthenware flowerpots in New England, although there were other potters, who produced these types of large unglazed flowerpots. Those manufacturers include two circa 1770s-1790s pots recovered at the Narbonne House in Salem, Massachusetts and the Navy Yard in Charlestown, Massachusetts, likely from the same potter's business in the Boston or Salem area, as well as the Abraham Hews Pottery in Weston and North Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the Hervey Brooks (1779-1873) Pottery in Goshen, Connecticut. 

But the Paige Pottery was really marketing itself to the types of high-end gardens influenced by British and European landscape design during the post-1900 period in the Boston area, even though the company's production was shipped elsewhere in America, too, including New York City. This is a type of flowerpot that is still produced today by Guy Wolfe in Connecticut, which he calls a "Peabody Pot": https://www.guywolff.com/red-pots-collection.

This pot will also be illustrated in my forthcoming 600-700 page, tenth book, titled, An Early Industry of Household Wares: The Red Earthenware of Salem Village, South Danvers and Peabody, Massachusetts. Interestingly, I actually just came across a waster of a stack of red earthenware flowerpots from the Paige Pottery that will also be included in the book.

In the meantime - 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/.

Note: I posted about another type of flowerpot made in Peabody a few months ago, which I found in a thrift store in Peabody: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2025/02/thrift-store-find-red-earthenware.html.

Circa 1876-1930 Red Earthenware Flowerpot Made at the M.B. Paige Pottery

My Niece Alexis Holding the Very Large Flowerpot

Found Yesterday in Peabody, Mass.

The Size of this Object and the Fact it was Hand-Thrown is Impressive!

See Article for More Information

Circa 1876-1930 Red Earthenware Flowerpot Made in Peabody, Mass.

Made a the M.B. Paige Pottery

This is How the Handles and Rim Appears

Measures 10 3/4" Tall and 12 3/4" of the Diameter of the Rim

Found Yesterday in Peabody, Mass.

Found Less than One-Mile from Where it was Originally Made

See Article for More Information

There is Some Glaze from Another Object on One of the Handles

See Article for More Information

A View of the Interior

See Article for More Information

A View of the Five Drainage Holes on the Base

This was Likely Used for a Tree or a Shrub

See Article for More Information

Flowerpots and Bean Pots in Storage at the M.B. Paige Pottery

Photograph is from Circa 1920

See Article for More Information
Courtesy: Peabody, Mass. Historical Society

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

Feature Story Published in Antiques And The Arts Weekly: A Rediscovered Battle Of Bunker Hill Claims Book From Charlestown, Mass.

I really enjoyed writing this feature story that was published on pages 24-25 in the March 14, 2025 issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly, titled, A Rediscovered Battle Of Bunker Hill Claims Book From Charlestown, Mass. This is an incredible discovery!

Here is a link to a PDF of the feature story: https://www.scribd.com/document/835799979/0314-D-024-ANA-Charlestown-Claims-Book

Here is a link to a PDF of the March 14th issue: https://antiquesandthearts.pressreader.com/antiques-and-the-arts-weekly/20250314

Feature Story Published in Antiques And The Arts Weekly

A Rediscovered Battle Of Bunker Hill Claims Book From Charlestown, Mass.

Published in the March 14, 2025 Issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly

See Above for More Information

A Rediscovered Battle Of Bunker Hill Claims Book From Charlestown, Mass.

Published in the March 14, 2025 Issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly

See Above for More Information

A Rediscovered Battle Of Bunker Hill Claims Book From Charlestown, Mass.

Published in the March 14, 2025 Issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly

See Above for More Information

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

A Red Earthenware Jar Found Yesterday Along Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire Compared to a Rim Sherd Recovered at Harvard Yard in Cambridge, Massachusetts

This is not something you see much of today, an example of nineteenth century red earthenware made in the Lake Winnipesaukee area, although we just found this hand-thrown double-handled pot with graduated sides and incised lines yesterday in Moultonborough, New Hampshire. 

My dog, Jack and I were up hiking Mount Major, which overlooks Lake Winnipesaukee, when I decided to take a drive along part of the lake and check out some of the shops that were open. I was susprised to come across this jar; there would have been a lid at one time, but it also reminded me of a rim sherd that was recovered from an eighteenth century archaeological context at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts (see below). Many of these potters working in central New Hampshire were inspired or influenced after eighteenth and early nineteenth century production in eastern Massachusetts.   

Additionally, I was told this jar was found many years ago in an old estate in Sandwich, New Hampshire. Similar jars are also pictured in the 700-page New Hampshire book I wrote that just came out, titled, An Influential Family of Early Potters: The Clarks of New Hampshire and Related Businesses: https://historicbeverly.net/product/an-influential-family-of-early-potters-the-clarks-of-new-hampshire-and-related-businesses/.  

Note: This is also a type of handle that will be discussed in my tenth book I'm working on now, titled, An Early Industry of Household Wares: The Red Earthenware of Salem Village, South Danvers and Peabody, Massachusetts.

Red Earthenware Jar Found Yesterday Along Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire

My Dog Jack with the Red Earthenware Jar

We Found it Yesterday in Moultonborough, New Hampshire

The Jar Originally Had a Lid

See Article for More Information

19th Century Double-Handled Red Earthenware Jar with Incised Decoration

Reportedly Found Years Ago in an Old Estate in Sandwich, N.H.

Made Somewhere in the Lake Winnipesaukee Area

Related Jars are Published in My New Hampshire Book

Stands 8 1/4" Tall

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Jar

See Article for More Information

A View of One of the Handles

A View of the Incised Decoration

Similar to a Rim Sherd Recovered at Harvard Yard in Cambridge, Mass.

See Article for More Information

18th Century Red Earthenware Rim Sherd Recovered at Harvard Yard in Cambridge, Mass.

Manufacturer is Unknown

The Rim Sherd is Similar to the Pot Found Yesterday in New Hampshire

Massachusetts Potters were Influential in N.H. in the 1700s and 1800s

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Harvard University

Another View of the Rim Sherd

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Harvard University

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

Eighteenth Century Chinese Porcelain Ginger Jars and How they May Have Inspired Similar Shaped Jars Made in Bristol County, Massachusetts

I recently posted a story to this website, titled, A Quaker Red Earthenware Jar from Bristol County, Massachusetts that will be Published in Forthcoming Tenth Book: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2025/04/a-quaker-red-earthenware-jar-from.html.

That article discussed a red earthenware jar from Bristol County adorned with a historically important original lid with a Quaker hat as the finial. The theory has always been that these types of jars were inspired from the different types of Chinese ginger jars that were imported to Massachusetts in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century, as part of the China Trade.

Nevertheless, this Bristol County information will be included in a chapter about red earthenware production in Salem during the circa 1750s-1830s period, which crosses over with the connection that the South Danvers (Peabody), Danvers and Salem area had with the Quaker potters in Bristol County. 

However, there are only two objects known today with this type of finial on the lid from Bristol County, the other being a large presentation jar that was published on the cover of the October 1931 issue of The Magazine Antiques, now owned privately in the American Northeast.

Interestingly, the idea behind the shapes of the Bristol County jars, as well as the finials on the lid may in fact be inspired after some of the ginger jars that were included as part of the China Trade; see below for an eighteenth century Chinese porcelain ginger jar with a dog used for the finial on the lid from the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Note: For more information about red earthenware (and some stoneware) from Bristol County - see 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/.

Chinese Porcelain Ginger Jars and Jars from Bristol County, Mass.

18th Century Chinese Porcelain Ginger Jar

The Lid on the Jar Includes a Dog as the Finial

Link: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/42207

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art

18th or Early 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar from Bristol County, Mass.

The Lid on the Jar Includes a Smaller Jar as the Finial

The Theory has Been that This Form of Jar was Inspired from the China Trade

This Jar is a Presentation Object

There is One Other Bristol County Jar Know with this Type of Lid

That Lid is Adorned with a Quaker Hat

See Article for More Information

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

The Symonds Family of Joiners and Potters in Salem, Massachusetts, Circa 1670-1820s/30s

It may not be well-known today that the Symonds family of joiners in Salem, Massachusetts were also a family of potters in Salem during the circa 1750s-1820s/30s period. Although the joiners were primarily active during the late seventeenth century, from around 1670-1700 period. The family was known for producing furniture during the William & Mary era, and the family's furniture can be found today displayed in such art museums as the Peabody Essex Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, among others.

This is information that will be included in my forthcoming 600-700 page, tenth book, titled, An Early Industry of Household Wares: The Red Earthenware of Salem Village, South Danvers and Peabody, Massachusetts: "...even though production in South Danvers (Peabody), Massachusetts is credited with most of the area’s known existing red earthenware today from the eighteenth and nineteenth century, it is lesser known that there were also some potters employed in Salem in the eighteenth and nineteenth century. Some of Salem’s production could even appear similar to what was produced in South Danvers.

For instance, one of those businesses was owned by the Symonds family. Nathaniel Symonds (1723-1793) was born in Salem about 1723. He was the son of Thomas Symonds (1680-1724), a joiner born in Sussex, England in 1680, who migrated to America sometime after 1700. This is a family name associated with manufacturing furniture in Salem in 1600s, but the Symonds family was also known for red earthenware production after 1750.

Another joiner, John Symonds (1594-1671) migrated to Massachusetts from Norfolk, England in the 1630s and worked with his sons James (1626-1714) and Samuel (1633-1722), manufacturing furniture in Salem.

However, Nathaniel’s first marriage was to Jane Phipps Symonds (1721-1760) in Charlestown, Massachusetts on October 8, 1745. He may have been a Charlestown trained potter, otherwise he may have trained in Essex County, Massachusetts. But this was a prominent time for red earthenware production in Charlestown in the 1730s and 1740s, which is when Nathaniel married Jane. Among the prominent businesses during this period was the Parker family, which operated circa 1714-1755.

Nathaniel had at least two sons who became potters, Nathaniel Symonds (1754-1804) and William Symonds (1749-1830), both of whom were born in Salem. They likely learned the craft from their father. The younger Nathaniel married Elizabeth Gardner (1759-1808) on November 17, 1779.

Both Nathaniels are listed in the Essex County Massachusetts Probate Records with an occupation of “potter;” the father’s probate is dated “February 4, 1793,” while the son’s probate is dated “April 18, 1804.”

One of the sons of the younger Nathaniel, also named Nathaniel Symonds (1780-1848) became a third-generation family potter in Salem. This Nathaniel married Elizabeth Baker Symonds (1786-1838) of Ipswich, Massachusetts on November 17, 1805.

William’s son, also named Nathaniel Symonds (1780-1848) became another third-generation potter. There may have been other Symonds family members who were potters, as well. This was essentially a family of joiners and potters working in different areas of Salem in the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth century, where later family members eventually became painters, farmers and held positions working for the city of Salem, among other job titles after 1840.

It was published in the 1908 book, Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of Boston and Eastern Massachusetts, “Nathaniel Symonds, son of Thomas Symonds, was born in 1723, at Salem. He was a potter by trade. His homestead was at Northfields, adjoining land of Benjamin Osgood, Elizabeth Symonds and Jonathan Symonds. He was given land by his father October 26, 1751, and May 9, 1752. He married Elizabeth He deeded his homestead to his son William, August 8, 1781. Children: 1. Nathaniel, 3d., soldier in the American Revolution. 2. William, soldier in the American Revolution. Perhaps other children. Nathaniel Symonds was a soldier in the American Revolution from Salem, a private in Captain Thomas Barnes's Company, Colonel John Mansfield's (Nineteenth) regiment, under Lieutenant Colonel Israel Hutchinson, 1775-76.”

Furthermore, taking into account the fact that Nathaniel Symonds was deeded land from his father in Salem in 1751 and 1752, then it is possible that this is the timeframe that the family business was established. The Symonds family may have produced red earthenware in Salem during the circa 1750s-1820s/30s period. Salem’s first city directory was published in 1837, and Nathaniel Symonds (d. 1848) is listed as a “codwainer," which is an artisan skilled in the craft of creating leather shoes from scratch. The family’s red earthenware production probably ceased before 1837, perhaps when William died in 1830."

Interestingly, there is not much document information or archaeological evidence known about this family today, but I compare their production to the Bradford family of Kingston, Massachusetts, which has been rediscovered in recent years because of archaeology. For more information about the Bradfords - see a five page research story that I wrote for the May 2019 issue of Maine Antique Digest, titled, The Bradford Family Potteries in Massachusetts: https://www.scribd.com/document/410016623/Bradford-Family-Potteries-May-2019-Issue-of-Maine-Antique-Digest?secret_password=jw7DJADt3EoVfEyFZE82.

Also see a few chapters about the Bradfords 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, there are three known red earthenware jars manufactured at the same business, which are heavily decorated with incised lines; I suspect these jars may have been made by the Symonds family in Salem. All of the jars also retain histories of ownership in Salem. One of the jars was published in Figure 15 in Lura Woodside Watkins' (1897-1982) book, Early New England Potters and Their Wares; Watkins described it as "...Found in Salem. Early Essex County type." The Peabody Essex Museum also owns a related jar with its original lid that retains a nineteenth century history of ownership in Salem, whereas there is a third jar known that was found in Salem before 1950, and was owned for decades by one of Watkins' friends, who lived in Marblehead, Massachusetts. 

In theory, the incised decoration on these types of objects may have been a technique used to try and  get these objects to stand out in the Salem marketplace in the late 1700s and 1800s, which was filled with imported exotic wares as part of the China Trade.

There are also other objects known that may have been made in Salem, including a jar that sold through Crocker Farm in Maryland in 2013: https://www.crockerfarm.com/stoneware-auction/2013-03-02/lot-300E/Rare-and-Fine-Glazed-Redware-Jar-with-Combed-Incising-probably-Salem-Massachusetts-late-18th-century/.

Note: For more information about the Symonds family and their furniture production in Salem - see an article written by Martha H. Willoughby for the 2000 issue of American Furniture, titled, Patronage in Early Salem: The Symonds Shops and Their Customers: https://chipstone.org/article.php/458/American-Furniture-2000/Patronage-in-Early-Salem:-The-Symonds-Shops--and-Their-Customers.

Red Earthenware Jars that Retain Histories of Ownership in Salem, Mass.

18th or Early 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Found in Salem, Mass.

Stands 8 3/4" Tall

Published in Figure 15 in Early New England Potters and Their Wares

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute

(Left) 18th or Early 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar with Its Original Lid 

Retains a 19th Century History of Ownership in Salem, Mass.

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Peabody Essex Museum

Another View of the Jar

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Peabody Essex Museum

A View of the Original Lid

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Peabody Essex Museum

18th or Early 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Found in Salem, Mass.

Same Maker as the Other Jars

Found in Salem Before 1950

See Article for More Information

Some Information About Red Earthenware Production in Salem, Mass.

This will be Included in My Forthcoming Tenth Book

See Article for More Information

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

19th Century Dave Drake Stoneware Jar from Edgefield, South Carolina Sells for $292K at Freeman's | Hindman in Philadelphia

A large and significant example of Dave Drake's (ca. 1800-1873) alkaline glazed stoneware production from Edgefield, South Carolina sold earlier this week at Freeman's | Hindman in Philadelphia for $292,600 including the buyer's premium. The shoulder of the jar was inscribed "Lm April 7, 1859 / Dave," while the reverse side was inscribed with three slashes: https://hindmanauctions.com/auctions/6332-american-furniture-folk-and-decorative-arts/lot/191.

Working in the Edgefield area, Dave was an enslaved masterful craftsman capable of producing some of the largest vessels possible by one man. The earliest of Dave's known inscribed stoneware jars (which span 1834-1864) from Edgefield, South Carolina is dated "June 12, 1834," and bears the word "Concatination." This jar sold at Sotheby's in New York City on May 19, 2005; the jar retained a lengthy documented history of ownership dating back to around the time the jar was made, although it sold as part of the Dr. and Mrs. Jack V. Buerkle Collection: https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2005/important-american-folk-art-furniture-and-silver-including-the-gary-gold-dinner-service-n08097/lot.149.html.

According to Sotheby's, "The use of the word concatenation; meaning "to chain together; to connect as by the links of a chain; union by a series or a chain" may be profound reference to Dave's condition as an enslaved man. Certainly it is a testimony to his education, intelligence and eloquence."

This jar also retained a lengthy documented history of ownership, whereas it was reportedly first owned by Ralph Jones (1821-1890) and Susan Elizabeth Morton Jones (1847-1939) of Eatonton, Georgia. According to Freeman's | Hindman, "It is unclear how the family of Susan Jones came into possession of this storage jar, but according to family lore, it is certain that the jar has been in the possession of the Jones family since 1859."

19th Century Dave Drake Stoneware Jar from Edgefield, South Carolina

19th Century Stoneware Jar Made by Dave Drake in Edgefield, South Carolina

Reportedly Owned by the Jones Family of GA and S.C. Since 1859

Inscribed "Lm April 7, 1859 / Dave"

Stands 22" Tall and Measures 22" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Freeman's | Hindman

The Jar is Inscribed "Lm April 7, 1859 / Dave"

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Freeman's | Hindman

The Jar is also Inscribed with Three Slash Marks

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Freeman's | Hindman

History of Ownership of the Jar

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Freeman's | Hindman

Dave Drake Listed in the 1870 United States Federal Census

He is Listed as a 70 Year Old "Farmer" in Edgefield, South Carolina

This is Likely the First Time that He is Named in a Federal Census

See Article for More Information

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

Some 19th Century Red Earthenware from Northern New England that Sold Yesterday in Litchfield, Connecticut

The auction results were strong yesterday for some of the nineteenth century northern New England red earthenware that sold at Litchfield Auctions in Litchfield, Connecticut, which was consigned from the personal estate of  Jeff Trundy of Washington, Connecticut and Augusta, Maine. Although the highlight was a lidded red earthenware jar likely made in North Yarmouth, Maine, which was previously owned by Maine folk art collector Ray Egan. The jar had previously sold at New England Auctions in Branford, Connecticut in January 2024 for $4,200 plus the buyer's premium: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/01/a-very-good-selection-of-red.html.

Nevertheless, the jar sold yesterday for $4,300 plus the buyer's premium: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/204220234_redware-jar-maine.

Another possible North Yarmouth object that sold from the Ray Egan Collection in 2024 was a nineteenth century red earthenware jug that brought $1,700 plus the buyer's premium, while yesterday it sold for $850 plus the buyer's premium: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/167925696_maine-redware-jug-with-handle.

A few other notable lots --

1) Nineteenth century red earthenware jug and handled pot from northern New England sold for $1,800 plus the buyer's premium: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/204220238_two-redware-jugs-attr-norcross-pottery-maine.

2) Three nineteenth century red earthenware jugs from northern New England sold for $1,300 plus the buyer's premium: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/204220243_three-redware-jugs-new-england-19c.

For the rest of the pottery in the sale - see the auction catalog: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/370894_americana-antiques-asian-and-more/.

Note: For more information about red earthenware production in the North Yarmouth, Maine area - see my seventh book, titled, From One Town Came Many: The Red Earthenware Industry of Ancient North Yarmouth, Maine: https://historicbeverly.net/product/94597/.

19th Century Red Earthenware from Northern New England

Some 19th Century Red Earthenware from Northern New England

From the Collection of Jeff Trundy of CT and Maine

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Litchfield Auctions

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