An Afternoon of Picking Antique Shops Near Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire

I want to quickly write a short article this morning to show a few rare objects that I picked yesterday afternoon in Laconia and Meredith, New Hampshire. This first object is one of the best finds that I have made recently - this small slip decorated nineteenth-century red earthenware pitcher was made at the Charles A. Lawrence Pottery in Beverly, Massachusetts around circa 1870. I found it buried in a shop in Meredith for $9. That's not a typo - it only cost me $9! This is a rare object to find today. I only know of a small number that exist. Coincidentally, I wrote about a similar object this week that sold in a group lot at Sotheby's in New York City a few years ago as part of New York's annual antiques celebration.

I have also shown a few related objects below; first is a very-similar formed pitcher that is also attributed to the C.A. Lawrence Pottery, which is owned by the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. This pitcher is also pictured in Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins book, 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares.' Below that is a slip decorated red earthenware butter crock with a related slip glaze that Crocker Farm recently sold in Sparks, Maryland, which was also made in Beverly. I had actually intended on bidding on this object; however, I got preoccupied the day of the auction.

Rare 19th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Creamer 

Attributed to C.A. Lawrence Pottery - Beverly, MA

Circa 1870

Stands 4 7/8" Tall

Found Yesterday in a Shop in Meredith, NH

Paid $9

Rare 19th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Creamer 

Attributed to C.A. Lawrence Pottery - Beverly, MA

Circa 1870

Stands 4 3/4" Tall

 Photo Courtesy: The National Museum of American History - The Smithsonian - Washington, D.C.

View of the Handle

Photo Courtesy: The National Museum of American History - The Smithsonian - Washington, D.C.

 Rare 19th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Crock

Attributed to C.A. Lawrence Pottery - Beverly, MA

Circa 1870

Stands 3 3/4" Tall

Measures 8 1/8" in Diameter

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD

Another View of the Crock

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD

I also discovered all of these miniature nineteenth-century red earthenware objects for less than $25 each. They all date from the nineteenth-century probably after 1840; although, I am not convinced where they were made, yet. I feel there is an argument that could be made for New England, western New York and Pennsylvania. They all came from the same dealer, who had a space in a large shop in Laconia, New Hampshire. I was lucky yesterday - it was a good day on the picking trail!

 Collection of 19th Century Earthenware Miniatures Discovered Yesterday in Laconia, NH

Region Unknown

Likely Made in Either New England, Western New York or Pennsylvania After 1840

 Another View of the Miniatures

(Left to Right) 2 5/8" 2 1/2" 2 3/8" Tall

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

A Rare Red Earthenware Figural Bottle Scheduled to Sell Tomorrow at Sotheby's in New York City

According to the book, 'Art in Clay: Masterworks of North Carolina Earthenware,' "Moravian potters in North Carolina made press-molded earthenware for more than one hundred twenty-five years. The range of forms documented by surviving objects, molds, and references in pottery inventories is far greater than that of any contemporary American ceramic tradition. From smoking pipes to stove tiles, the Moravian potters in Bethabara (historic area in Salem-Winston, North Carolina) and Salem, North Carolina expanded the production of press-molded earthenware to include figural bottles and castors, non-figural bottles, and toys. Rudolph Christ can be credited for the successful production and marketing of press-molded figural wares during his tenure as master of pottery at Salem (1789-1821).

Of all the figural bottles produced in Salem, fish survive in the greatest number. Most are glazed green on the outside but examples decorated in tortoiseshell colors are known. Fish appear in the April 30, 1801 inventory of the Salem pottery valued at 1 shilling 6 pence each. Three sizes were available the following year, and by 1806 the pottery was producing four patterns - the number represented by surviving molds listed in the 1828 inventory."

On January 25, 2014 - Sotheby's in New York City sold the Ralph C. Esmerian folk art collection during the city's annual antiques celebration - included in the collection was a green-glazed fish bottle attributed to Rudolph Christ. The object was appraised with a pre-auction estimate of $15,000-$20,000; however, bidders in the room felt differently when the bottle ended up selling for $53,125 including the buyer's premium (sales tax not included).

Early-19th Century Press-Molded Green-Glazed Fish Figural Bottle

Attributed to Rudolph Christ - Salem, NC

Circa 1800-1822

Sold for $53,125 in the Ralph C. Esmerian Sale in 2014

Measures 4 1/2" Long

Photo Courtesy: Sotheby's - New York City

I'm not sure if the Sotheby's auction result was an anomaly since only ten-months later, Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland sold a related green-glazed object for $7,475 including buyer's premium. But, this also may have been a later form made by John Holland, a potter, who succeeded Christ. In 1829, Holland is found in Salem, North Carolina listing four sizes of the same form. It should also be noted that molds related to this type of production in Salem have survived today.

Early-19th Century Press-Molded Green-Glazed Fish Figural Bottle

Attributed to Salem, NC

Circa 1804-1829

Sold for $7,475 in 2014
Measures 7 3/8" Long

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD

For what it's worth - noted New York City ceramic expert, Garrison Stradling appraised a similar green-glazed Salem, North Carolina fish flask on PBS' 'Antiques Roadshow' in 2004 for $27,000-$30,000; however, I believe that some of the estimates given on the 'Antiques Roadshow' are more of an insurance estimate rather than a pre-auction evaluation. The economy (and, the antique industry) has also drastically changed since 2004.

Early-19th Century Press-Molded Green-Glazed Fish Figural Bottle

Attributed to Rudolph Christ - Salem, NC

Appraised at $27,000-$30,000 in 2004

Photo Courtesy: Antiques Roadshow - PBS

In November 2013, Crocker Farm sold a rare tortoiseshell glazed (later imitation of mid-18th century Thomas Whieldon-style glazes in England) fish flask that was attributed to Rudolph Christ - it measured 9 3/4 inches long, which is the largest size that was made by Christ. That bottle sold for $23,000 including the buyer's premium (sales tax not included). Personally, I believe this is a much rarer and more attractive style, than the object, which sold in the Esmerian sale only two-months later in January 2014.

Early-19th Century Press-Molded Tortoiseshell-Glazed Fish Figural Bottle

Attributed to Rudolph Christ - Salem, NC

Circa 1800-1822

Sold for $23,000 in 2013

Measures 9 3/4" Long

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD

Never-the-less, the annual antiques celebration in New York City is upon us, yet, again - and, surprisingly, Sotheby's has been consigned another rare red earthenware fish figural bottle, this time, from a private Florida collector. This bottle is very-similar to the object that sold in the Esmerian Sale in 2014; although, the Esmerian bottle was a smaller size. The bottle that Sotheby's has this year is the largest bottle that was made by Rudolph Christ measuring 9 3/4 inches long.

Sotheby's has given a pre-auction estimate of $20,000-$25,000, but if the bottle that sold in the Esmerian sale in 2014 is an indication of the prices that are regularly achieved during New York City's Americana celebration, than it can be expected, that this bottle, will soar well-past $25,000. But, then, again, the price achieved at the Esmerian sale may have been, in-fact, an anomaly.

This fish bottle is scheduled to sell tomorrow, January 23, 2016. The lot is number 1611. Sotheby's describes it as "an early 19th century rare molded green glazed earthenware Moravian fish flask from Salem, North Carolina."

Early-19th Century Press-Molded Green-Glazed Fish Figural Bottle

Attributed to Rudolph Christ - Salem, NC

Circa 1800-1822

Measures 9 3/4" Long

Scheduled to Sell on January 23, 2016

Photo Courtesy: Sotheby's - New York City

Another View of the Bottle

Photo Courtesy: Sotheby's - New York City

Simply, for discussion purposes - I am not sure how the following red earthenware fish bottle fits in with today's discussion, but I feel it is worth mentioning. This fish bottle sold at Copake Auctions in Copake, New York in January 2015. The auction house gave an estimate of $200-$300, but it eventually sold for $1,680 including the buyer's premium. I'm not sure if this is a later production or a form of imitation, but I am not convinced that this bottle dates to the same period as the products of discussion. If this is a genuine product made in Salem, North Carolina - then, someone got one heck of a bargain. Any thoughts?

19th Century Press-Molded Red Earthenware Fish Bottle

Origin and Exact Production Period Unknown (to me)

Measures 4" Long

Sold for $1,680 in 2015

Photo Courtesy: Copake Auction, Inc. - Copake, NY

Ironically, after I finished writing this article - I realized that Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland has been consigned two figural bottles attributed to Rudolph Christ for their upcoming sale in March. The book 'Art in Clay: Masterworks of North Carolina Earthenware,' also discusses both of these forms (note: there were more forms produced past what is discussed in this article).

"The design of Moravian bear bottles, which initially appear on the 1810 inventory, may allude to the animal's reputation as a nuisance. On May 16, 1775, the Bethabara diarist recorded 'last night a bear ate one of our best hogs.' Based on inventory references and surviving examples, the Salem pottery produced only one model of a bear bottle, which depicts the animal with a slain pig beneath its feet."

 Early 19th Century Press-Molded Red Earthenware Bear Bottle with a Slain Pig

Attributed to Rudolph Christ - Salem, NC

Circa 1810-1829

Stands 6 1/2" Tall
Scheduled to Sell on March 19, 2016

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD

Another View of the Bottle

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD

Rudolph Christ also produced a squirrel bottle, which was decorated with multiple glazes similar to the fish bottles that are discussed above. Renowned Virginia ceramicist, Michelle Erickson has also reproduced this form with her own interpretation in recent years, which takes on somewhat of a political statement.

According to 'Art in Clay: Masterworks of North Carolina Earthenware,' "The squirrel was a popular pet and the subject of whimsical representation in paintings, toys, and various ceramic objects in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Two basic types of Moravian squirrel bottles survive: one stands upright and typically clasps a nut between its front paws; the other leans slightly forward with its head elevated. These two models were probably represented in the 1806 pottery inventory, which lists ninety-six squirrel bottles at 3 shillings 6 pence each and forty-five at 2 shillings each."

 Early 19th Century Press-Molded Red Earthenware Squirrel Clasping a Nut Bottle

Attributed to Rudolph Christ - Salem, NC

Circa 1806-1829

Stands 7 7/8" Tall
Scheduled to Sell on March 19, 2016

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD

Another View of the Bottle

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD

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

A Rare Red Earthenware Pitcher that Sold at Sotheby's in New York City in 2012

Since Antiques Week in New York City is upon us - I figured today that I would write an article related to this event. When I was going through some of the past auction listings for Sotheby's Americana Department in New York City yesterday I came across the following group lot. Sotheby's is known for grouping together large collections of red earthenware (like this) and selling them as a single allotment. Rarely, would the auction house sell a group of pottery like this individually - or, it would hardly happen during the city's antiques celebration.

There were some really great pieces of nineteenth-century red earthenware in this lot - many of the objects exhibit some type of slip decoration, too. I would also say that most of the lot was made up of products from the Mid-Atlantic region. Ultimately, this is an instant collection.

On sight alone, I can see some obvious Shenandoah Valley in Virginia red earthenware products - and, there are also some unmistakable Pennsylvania-made forms, too. For example: the large pitcher seen in the middle at the top of the photo (between two plates) retains an old George S. McKearin sticker - McKearin was a prominent collector of glass and utilitarian pottery many years ago. It's a desired label by collectors today. This pitcher was likely made in Pennsylvania during the 1840-1880 period.

These objects were all consigned to Sotheby's in 2012 as part of the Muriel and Foster McCarl, Jr. Collection. The lot was given a pre-auction estimate of $6,000-$8,000 and it achieved a similar price selling for $7,500 including the buyer's premium.

Group of 19th Century Red Earthenware that Sold at Sotheby's in NYC in 2012

Ex-Collection of Muriel and Foster McCarl, Jr.

Sold for $7,500 Including the Buyer's Premium

Photo Courtesy: Sotheby's - NYC

There is an object in this group lot that really stood out to me - that object has been circled below. Sotheby's identified this eight-inch pitcher as a "green and cream decorated small pitcher, probably from the 20th century." However, this is actually a really rare product from the 1800's - and, it is in my opinion that this is the best object in the entire lot.

This pitcher was actually likely made at the Charles A. Lawrence Pottery in Beverly, Massachusetts after 1866 - that's when the business was established. I have never seen this form from the Lawrence Pottery before - thus, why I feel it is the best object. I have seen similar forms; however, this form differs a little with the exaggerated ovoid body.

For a brief history: Charles A. Lawrence was a Portuguese migrant potter, who trained in Essex County, Massachusetts before 1866. He apprenticed at the Joseph Reed Pottery (formerly the Osborn Family Pottery) before he ventured nearby to Beverly, Massachusetts where he produced a wide range of pottery until about 1906. I believe this pitcher dates from the business' younger years of operation.

These type of multi-slip decorated products, which were made in Beverly are often mistaken for Pennsylvania-made products today - and, that's possibly why this object was kept with the rest of this collection. This style of slip is rarely seen in New England in the 1800's; although, it was popular with some Mid-Atlantic potters during the same period.

(Circled) 19th Century Slip Decorated Pitcher Attributed to the C.A. Lawrence Pottery - Beverly, MA

This is a Very-Rare Form

Circa 1866-1870's

Stands 8" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Sotheby's - NYC

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

Thomas Vickers and His Son, John Vickers Pottery in Pennsylvania in the 19th Century

According to the book, 'Marks of American Potters' by Edwin Atlee Barber, "Thomas Vickers established a pottery near Downington, Pennsylvania previous to the year 1806. One of his day books, extending over a period from this date until 1813, has been preserved, and from the entries we learn that he produced at various times red earthenware, sgraffito ware, black glazed pottery, 'domestic queensware' and green enameled ware. Among the articles enumerated are pie plates, milk pots, 'basons,' jugs, pitchers, bowls, mugs, cups, coffee and tea pots, sugar bowls, cream cups, 'salt cups,' bouquetts,' cake molds, candle sticks, 'salt sellers,' mantel and toy figures, chimney ornaments, bread baskets, chimney stands, inkstands, dishes, plates and tobacco pipes, both glazed and unglazed. There are numerous entries of green enameled ware, such as pint, quart and three-pint pitchers, sugar bowls, etc. 

In the Philadelphia Museum of Art collection is a large jar attributed to Thomas Vickers with incised decorations - a wreath on one side enclosing the words 'Apple Butter,' and on the other the name of the recipient and the date 1807. The entire surface is covered with a beautiful, mottled, apple green enamel. 

Other examples in the museum's collection from this pottery, are a sgraffito decorated flower pot, bearing the date 1826, and a spherical jar with variegated glaze and the date 1822.

Thomas Vickers took his son, John into partnership, under the firm name Thomas Vickers & Son. In 1822, the pottery moved to Lionville, Pennsylvania and the style became John Vickers and son. Pieces of pottery have been found bearing the incised initials 'T.V.' also 'J.V.' The latter on some pottery pie-plate molds in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, accompany by dates ranging from 1806-1831."

Early-19th Century Pottery Plate Mold Made by John Vickers in Pennsylvania 

Mold is Inscribed 'J.V. / 1806'

Measures 13 3/8" in Diameter

Photo Courtesy: Philadelphia Museum of Art - Philadelphia, PA

19th Century Pottery Platter Mold Made by John Vickers in Pennsylvania 

Mold is Inscribed 'J.V. / 1825'

Measures 14 7/8" Long

Photo Courtesy: Philadelphia Museum of Art - Philadelphia, PA

19th Century Pottery Plate Mold Made by John Vickers in Pennsylvania 

Mold is Inscribed 'J.V. / 1828'

Measures 6 1/8" in Diameter

Photo Courtesy: Philadelphia Museum of Art - Philadelphia, PA

19th Century Pottery Plate Mold Made by John Vickers in Pennsylvania 

Mold is Inscribed 'J.V. / 1829'

Measures 9" in Diameter

Photo Courtesy: Philadelphia Museum of Art - Philadelphia, PA

19th Century Pottery Plate Mold Made by John Vickers in Pennsylvania 

Mold is Inscribed 'J.V. / 1831'

Measures 8 1/2" in Diameter

Photo Courtesy: Philadelphia Museum of Art - Philadelphia, PA

The following nineteenth-century slip decorated (Cherry Pie) red earthenware plate is a product that is attributed to Thomas Vickers' son, John Vickers around 1850 - this plate developed from a press-mold similar to what is shown above. Interestingly, I could also envision this product mistaken today for objects that were produced in places like Long Island and Norwalk, Connecticut in the nineteenth-century where a similar form and decoration was employed.

19th Century Press-Molded Red Earthenware Plate Attribute to the John Vickers Pottery in PA

This Plate Was Created Using a Similar Mold Like Those Shown Above

The Plate is Decorated with the Words ' Cherry Pie' in Slip

Circa 1850

Measures 11 1/8" in Diameter

Photo Courtesy: Philadelphia Museum of Art - Philadelphia, PA

Note: There is also a pitcher that the museum owns, which is attributed to the Thomas Vickers & Son Pottery in Pennsylvania that I feel could be mistaken for a New England-made product today - that idea is based on the form of the object. The form resembles a style that was produced throughout coastal Massachusetts in the eighteenth and nineteenth-centuries; however, a related form was also associated with trained potters, who migrated from Massachusetts to New Hampshire in the 1800's.

Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher Attributed to Thomas Vickers & Son Pottery in PA

This Form is Also Similar to Objects that were Produced in MA and NH

Circa 1808-1813

Stands 6 3/4" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Philadelphia Museum of Art - Philadelphia, PA

Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland has been consigned a museum-quality example of Thomas Vickers production for their upcoming sale on Saturday March 19, 2016. According to the auction house, "This fresh-to-the-market exceptional redware presentation jar, which was recently discovered in New England is inscribed, 'Ann Frame / When this you see remember me / 9th mo. (September) 28th 1818.' The jar is attributed to Thomas Vickers from Chester County, Pennsylvania. A similar example bearing a different name resides in the Philadelphia Museum of Art."

Philadelphia Museum of Art

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to Thomas Vickers - Chester County, PA

This Jar Bear's a Similar Inscription to the Jar that Crocker Farm has Been Consigned

Circa 1822

Stands 10 3/8" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Philadelphia Museum of Art - Philadelphia, PA

Crocker Farm

 Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to Thomas Vickers - Chester County, PA

The Jar is Inscribed 'Ann Frame / When this you see remember me / 9th mo. 28th 1818'

Circa 1818

Stands 9 3/4" Tall
Scheduled to Sell to the Highest Bidder on Saturday March 19, 2016

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farms - Sparks, MD

 Another View of the Jar

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farms - Sparks, MD

 View of a Handle

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farms - Sparks, MD

 View of the Other Handle

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farms - Sparks, MD

 View of the Inscription 'Ann'

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farms - Sparks, MD

  View of the Inscription 'Frame'

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farms - Sparks, MD

  View of the Inscription 'When this you see remember me'

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farms - Sparks, MD

 View of the Inscription '9th mo 28th 1818'

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farms - Sparks, MD

For a comparison: a signed John Vickers jar sold for a little more than $4,800 at a William Bunch auction in June 2014. The jar was reportedly inscribed 'John Vickers / 1804.' For many reasons: I believe the jar at Crocker Farm is more appealing. And, similar to Crocker Farm's jar - the Philadelphia Museum of Art also owns a related object when compared to the jar that sold at William Bunch's auction. 

The museum's jar is inscribed 'Ann Starr / 1805.' Unfortunately, I don't believe it is know who made this jar (father versus son); although, it is nearly a mirror-image of the jar shown below that was signed by John Vickers.

For these reasons (and more) - I expect the jar at Crocker Farm to sell for more than the object that sold at William Bunch's auction about one-year-and-a-half ago. We'll have to wait and see how it ultimately does - I will also write a followup article when that object sells.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Made by Thomas Vickers & Son - Chester County, PA
Inscribed 'Ann Starr / 1805'
Circa 1804
Stands 8 3/4" Tall
Photo Courtesy: Philadelphia Museum of Art - Philadelphia, PA

William H. Bunch

 Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Made by John Vickers - Chester County, PA
Inscribed 'John Vickers / 1804'
Circa 1804
Stands 9 3/8" Tall
Sold for more than $4,800 in 2014
Photo Courtesy: William H. Bunch Auctions - Chadds Ford, PA

 Another View of the Jar
Photo Courtesy: William H. Bunch Auctions - Chadds Ford, PA

 View of the Inscribed Base
Photo Courtesy: William H. Bunch Auctions - Chadds Ford, PA

Another View of the Inscribed Base

Photo Courtesy: William H. Bunch Auctions - Chadds Ford, PA

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

A Rare 19th Century Red Earthenware Churn that is Owned by Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts

Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts owns a remarkable example of red earthenware likely related to the Osborn family in Massachusetts and New Hampshire from the first quarter of the nineteenth-century. The form is a straight-sided churn glazed in a dark, but eye-catching streaking brown glaze - the churn also demonstrates two applied ear-shaped handles, which is remarkable that they have survived in this undamaged condition. This type of a handle is an early-style that was often used by Essex County, Massachusetts potters in the eighteenth and nineteenth-centuries, but its not exclusive to this area. I believe the origin of this type of handle began with early-English potters.

The Osborns were a family of Quakers, who spread throughout New England establishing many important potter's businesses in search of work in the 1700's and the 1800's - the family name is tied to places in Massachusetts today, such as South Danvers (today known as Peabody), Charlestown and Berkley - and, they were also largely involved with the New Hampshire's potter's industry in Exeter, Loudon, Gonic (Rochester), Dover and Boscowan. Understandably, it's difficult to say where this churn was ultimately made; however, there is an apparent clew that seems to tie this wonderful object directly to the Osborn family.

According to a small book, written by Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins and published by Old Sturbridge Village in 1959, titled, 'Early New England Pottery,' "Simple but suitable decoration appears on redware well into the nineteenth century. One of the commoner methods was that of tooling. A comb held against a finished but still damp vessel while it was revolved slowly on the wheel left a band of parallel lines, straight or wavy, according to the potter's intention. A most interesting example of this type of work in an unusual form is a churn that is owned by Old Sturbridge Village. This piece has been marked with the name of the recipient, 'Lucinda Osborn,' and the date '1822,' in trailed white slip."

This object is possibly proof that slip decoration was achieved to some degree in Essex County, Massachusetts or New Hampshire in the early-nineteenth-century, which contradicts some previous speculation. To what degree that slip was used is another discussion.

19th Century Red Earthenware Churn Likely Made by the Osborn Family in Either MA or NH

Marked in Slip with the Name of the Recipient, 'Lucinda Osborn'

Also Dated in Slip '1822'

Stands Approximately 15" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, MA

For a comparison: I want to show this red earthenware pan that I found in Rochester, New Hampshire a few years ago - Rochester is located a few miles from the Osborn Pottery in Gonic, New Hampshire. The Gonic Pottery was strictly a nineteenth-century business - unlike, the Osborn Pottery in South Danvers, Massachusetts, which dates to the early-eighteenth-century. Since I have no sherd evidence or archaeological poof - I can't be certain that this pan is related to the Gonic Pottery; however, the context that it was discovered suggests that it may have been produced in this part of New Hampshire in the early-nineteenth-century. There were also other potter's businesses located in Rochester in the 1800's.

I want to briefly mention that the Gonic name is also an attribution that is used way too much today. There is a saying that a certain glaze is a 'Gonic-Glaze' because of the orange and reddish halos that are usually decorated throughout a green-glaze. In reality, this type of glaze could have been achieved at any potter's business in New England and elsewhere in the United States and across the world. Truthfully, the Gonic Pottery was a country potter's business in rural New Hampshire producing everyday utilitarian objects often with dull and mundane glazes. Many of these objects were decorated with a basic glaze pattern, which is the opposite of the 'Gonic-Glaze.'. The 'Gonic-Glaze' that is referenced today is sometimes (often) a bad attribution.

An attribution should not normally be developed strictly on glaze alone - it's the form that really matters. A potter could have used any type of glaze that they wished. Although, I do want you to take a look at this pan and compare the streaking found in the glaze to the glaze on the churn. This is an unusual glaze-style for New England. I can see some similarities when these two glazes are compared. I should also note that the photography for these objects was taken under different circumstances. 

Never-the-less, both of these objects are quite rare to find today. The churn is rare for its form, glaze and its unique personal association to a nineteenth-century individual, who appears to be related to the Osborn family of potters. The pan is unusual because of its large form, larger than expected rim and the very-unusual glaze when compared to what was done elsewhere in New England in the nineteenth-century.

Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Milk Pan Possibly Made in New Hampshire

Found in Rochester, NH

Circa 1820-1840

Measures 17 1/2" in Diameter

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

The 19th Century New England Red Earthenware Foot Warmer and Hot Water Bottle

Last summer, I visited the collections facility at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. Overall, the collection is incredible. The collection spans many different fields in the decorative arts. Naturally, my focus remained with the pottery portion of the collection.

Tonight, I want to focus on a pair of nineteenth-century red earthenware hot water bottles or foot warmers that are a part of the Old Sturbridge Village collection. I believe this is a form that is not normally considered in the realm of nineteenth-century New England-made red earthenware today.

The following photo shows those two red earthenware bottles pictured to the left. They are both colorfully glazed with a finial placed on top of each bottle - a cork is also seen, which was used to seal the hole where the water would have been inserted.

I'm not positive where these bottles were made, but they may be a Massachusetts-made product produced around the mid-nineteenth-century or later.

(Left) Pair of 19th Century Red Earthenware Hot Water Bottles of Foot Warmers

Circa 1840-1880

Stand Approximately 9" to 10" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Old Sturbridge Village - Sturbridge, MA

I own a similar hot water bottle that was acquired from a private collection in central Massachusetts last year. Knowing that I had this object at home - I was surprised when I saw the examples at Old Sturbridge Village. You will notice that my bottle is decorated in a similar colorful glaze with a similar finial and a similar placed (corked) hole for the water. 

However, I also want to show the following red earthenware foot warmer (which I also own) that appears to be a copy or an imitation of a nineteenth-century stoneware foot warmer made at the John T. Winslow Pottery in Portland, Maine between 1850 and 1860 (that's the period when most of the stoneware examples date from at the J.T. Winslow Pottery). Most (all?) of the stoneware foot warmers are also marked with J.T. Winslow' name.

I believe the following red earthenware example was made nearby at the Benjamin Dodge, Jr. (1802-1876) Pottery in Portland, Maine around the same period. The form is very-similar, the decoration on the front is similar and it stands ten-inches tall, which is the same height as its stoneware counterpart. 

This is the only red earthenware example in this form that I am aware of today. I purchased it at a John McInnis sale in Amesbury, Massachusetts last summer - it came from a private collection in Kennbunkport, Maine, which is located about forty-miles south of Portland.

(Left) 19th Century Red Earthenware Foot Warmer

Possibly Made at the Benjamin Dodge, Jr. (1802-1876) Pottery - Portland, ME

Circa 1850-1875

Stands 10" Tall

(Right) 19th Century Red Earthenware Hot Water Bottle - Possibly Massachusetts

Form is Very-Similar to the Objects Owned by Old Sturbridge Village

Circa 1840-1880

Stands 9 3/4" Tall

View of the Reverse Sides

19th Century John T. Winslow Stoneware Foot Warmer - Portland, ME

Circa 1850-1860

Stands 10" Tall

Photo Courtesy: John McInnis Auctions - Amesbury, MA

Another View of the Foot Warmer

Photo Courtesy: John McInnis Auctions - Amesbury, MA

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