An Important 18th Century Red Earthenware Jug that was Recently Found in an Old House in Southern New Hampshire

My latest article has just been published in the August 2016 edition of the New England Antiques Journal. It just became available this week; however, it will also be available at all of the shows next month during the annual Antiques Week in New Hampshire celebration.

The article focuses on Peter Clark, an eighteenth-century red earthenware potter, who was employed in Braintree, Massachusetts before 1775, and afterwards, he was employed in Lyndeborogh, New Hampshire in the eighteenth and nineteenth-centuries. Rare previously undocumented objects are shown, along with archaeological evidence and what I describe as a "treasure map." Clark's eighteenth and nineteenth-century legacy is certainly memorable! He likely had some sort of relationship with the pre-1775 Charlestown, Massachusetts potter's industry, and he even fought in the American Revolution.

Nevertheless, the following large red earthenware jug would have likely been published in the article if it were available for publication. Unfortunately, it was not; however, this jug was recently discovered in an early-home in southern New Hampshire. It was found during a house clean out sitting on the bricks next to the fireplace.

I have personally handled this jug, and it appears that it could have been made by Peter Clark or a potter associated with Peter Clark's pottery in the Lyndeborough-area during the circa 1775-1795 period. The form seems to draw some inspiration from American-made eighteenth-century stoneware jugs, especially those made in places like Charlestown, Massachusetts and Merrimacport, Massachusetts in late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth centuries.

Note: This large jug is pictured below alongside a red earthenware jug that is attributed to Peter Clark's production in Lyndeborough in the late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth-centuries. This jug is also pictured in the New England Antiques Journal article - and, Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts owns a similar formed object that is inscribed "Lyndeborough" and dated "1786"

Red Earthenware Jug Recently Found in Southern New Hampshire

18th Century Red Earthenware Jug Likely Made in Central New Hampshire

Possibly Made by Peter Clark's Pottery in Lyndeborough, NH

Recently Found in a House in Southern New Hampshire

The Form Seems to be Inspired from 18th Century Stoneware 

Circa 1775-1795

 Stands 15" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Private New England Collection

 Another View of the Jug

Photo Courtesy: Private New England Collection

 View of the Incised Decoration on the Jug and the Neck

Photo Courtesy: Private New England Collection

 Another View of the Incised Decoration

Photo Courtesy: Private New England Collection

 View of the Handle

Photo Courtesy: Private New England Collection

 View of the Incised Decoration on the Base

Photo Courtesy: Private New England Collection

Peter Clark Pottery Jug, Lyndeborough, NH

(Right) Late-18th or Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Jug

Attributed to Peter Clark Pottery - Lyndeborough, NH

Form Matches an Object Owned by Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Mass.

Circa 1780-1820

Photo Courtesy: Private New England Collection

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

The Rest of My Finds in Brimfield, Massachusetts

Here are the rest of my finds from my trip to Brimfield, Massachusetts earlier this week - for what it is worth, the handle on the southern Maine pot is similar to some handles that are attributed to John Alld in Hollis, Maine today.

Southeastern Massachusetts Jar

 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to Southeastern Massachusetts

Circa 1790-1820

Stands 8 1/4" Tall

Another View of the Jar

Pennsylvania Flower Pot

 19th Century Red Earthenware Flower Pot Attributed to Pennsylvania

Circa 

Stands 6 1/4" Tall

Another View of the Flower Pot

Southern Maine Pot

 19th Century Red Eathenware Pot Attributed to Southern Maine

Circa 1820-1860

Stands 8 1/4" Tall

 Another View of the Pot

 Another View of the Pot

View of the Handle

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

A Red Earthenware Dish Found in Brimfield, Massachusetts that is Attributed to Maryland

This is another object that I discovered earlier this week at the antique shows in Brimfield, Massachusetts. I was drawn to this dish as-a-result of its refinement, coggled decoration along the exterior and the fact that the potter incised the base "2-8." I assume the numbered base could be related to a particular client; although, it may also represent "February 8th." The fact that the interior of the dish is glazed in a variegated-green lead glaze also helped with its appeal.

I asked the dealer where she found this dish, since I like to know the history of anything I buy - she told me that it was found in either Maryland or Virginia; however, she could not remember exactly where it was found. The size of this piece is also spectacular - it basically fits perfectly in my palm.

I posted this dish on my Facebook page soon after I discovered it - and, it was said that this is a known Maryland form. I was somewhat surprised, but I had also suspected that it could have been made in Maryland - it did not look like something that was made in Pennsylvania or Virginia (to me).

 19th Century Red Earthenware Dish Attributed to Maryland

Reportedly, Recently Found in Maryland or Virginia

Circa 1840-1860

Stands 1 5/8" Tall

Measures 6 3/8" in Diameter

 View of the Base, Which is Incised '2-8'

View of the Coggled Edge

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

A Red Earthenware Bird Discovered in Brimfield, Massachusetts

I spent the past few days picking the antique shows in Brimfield, Massachusetts - and, luckily, I discovered a few pieces of pottery. I would say that my most unusual find is probably this unglazed red earthenware bird. Your initial reaction may be to say that this does not appear like the color of traditional red earthenware; however, hear me out.

The dealer, who I purchased this object from lives in Maine - he said all of his inventory also comes from Maine. He said this bird was recently discovered in an old house he was hired to clean out in Paris, Maine, which is located about fifty-miles to the northwest of Portland, Maine. The dealer also said that he felt this object was made to be used as a "Pie Bird."

According to Wikipedia, "Funnel-style steam vents have been placed in the center of meat and fruit pies during cooking since the Victorian Era (circa 1837-1901). The bird shaped steam vent came after the funnel system was already in use.

Pie funnels were used to prevent pie filling from boiling up and leaking through the crust by allowing steam to escape from inside the pie. They also supported the pastry crust in the center of the pie, so that it did not sag in the middle, and are occasionally known as crust holders."

The dealer's observation may be correct  - this could very-well be a pie bird. This object is also entirely burned or blackened, and that may have been the result of continuous use in an oven. Similar blackened unglazed bases are found on all sorts of red earthenware forms today from exposure to hot temperatures and an open flame.

Nonetheless, I was really impressed with the skill and detail found in this object - it speaks (to me) as a true example of folk art.

It appears that the base may have been hand-thrown on a potter's wheel, and the remainder of the object seems to have been hand-modeled with detailed hand-applied decoration.

Normally, I may suggest that this bird is a whimsical object; however, the hollow tube that begins at the base, which leads through the bottom-half of the object until it is met by nine punched holes may suggest otherwise.

Note: I have shown a burned or blackened nineteenth-century Pennsylvania-made red earthenware dish below that demonstrates how this so-called pie bird may have became blackened. Both of these objects were likely exposed to very-hot temperatures.

19th Century Red Earthenware Bird - Maker Unknown

Possibly Used as a Pie Bird

The Entire Bird was Decorated By Hand

Reportedly Recently Found in an Old House in Paris, Maine

See Article for Description

 Stands 4 3/4" Tall

 Another View of the Bird

 Another View of the Bird

 View of the 9 Holes on the Back of the Bird

View of the Base

A Comparison to a Well-Used Dish

(Right) A Red Earthenware Dish that is Burned or Blackened on the Base From Use in a Stove

(Left) The Bird Exhibits the Same Burned or Blackened Affect

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

A Newly Discovered 19th Century Southern Maine Red Earthenware Jug Found in a Shop in Essex County, Massachusetts

This is another nineteenth-century red earthenware object that I recently discovered in Essex County, Massachusetts. The decoration is a basic darker glaze; however, the size of this object is what (I feel) makes it unusual today.

The jug that I found measures a little more than eight-and-one-half inches tall - and, from my experience, I have found that this form is usually found today in the four-and-one-half inch to six-and-one-half inch size.

I will leave out any type of attribution for these products; although, this form is regularly tied to southern Maine today. The form appears to be unique to Maine, too which includes a footless base, a semi-ovoid body, a handle that attaches from the rim to the body and a small, but well-defined lip.

19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Attributed to Southern Maine

Circa 1820-1860

Stands 8 5/8" Tall

Recently Found in Essex County, Mass.

View of the Handle

More Typical Smaller Examples

19th Century Red Earthenware Jugs Attributed to Southern Maine

Circa 1820-1860

(Left) Stands 6 3/8" Tall

(Right) Stands 6 3/8" Tall

View of the Handles

19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Attributed to Southern Maine

Circa 1820-1860

Stands 4 3/4" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Samuel Herrup Antiques - Sheffield, Mass.

19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Attributed to Southern Maine

Circa 1820-1860

Stands 4 1/2" Tall

Lewis Scranton Collection - Killingworth, CT

Photo Courtesy: Skinner, Inc. - Boston & Marlborough, Mass.

19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Attributed to Southern Maine

Circa 1820-1860

Stands 6 1/2" Tall

Lewis Scranton Collection - Killingworth, CT

Photo Courtesy: Skinner, Inc. - Boston & Marlborough, Mass.

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

The 20th Century Art Pottery that was Produced in Mountainside, New Jersey

Recently, I learned about a hand-inscribed mark that was used on twentieth-century art pottery produced in Mountainside, New Jersey. The pottery is usually inscribed on the base with the mark, 'MP.'

The Mountainside Pottery was established by John Kovacs, a Hungarian immigrant in 1929. Kovacs was reportedly a member of the Rutgers University ceramics club in New Brunswick, New Jersey before he established the Mountainside Pottery.

The majority of the output at this business consisted of skillfully-made bowls, figures and vases that were made with red clay bodies and white clay bodies. The company's use of a white and red clay is similar to how other American art potters operated potteries in the early-twentieth-century, such as Thomas Nickerson's Merrimac Pottery Company in Newburyport, Massachusetts, circa 1897-1908, and William Grueby's Pottery in South Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1894-1920.

The Mountainside Pottery closed in 1941; however, it seems that there are a variety of wonderful objects that survive from this relatively unknown pottery today. It appears that Kovacs produced hand-thrown and molded pottery; although, the majority of the pottery that I have studied is hand-thrown and made from red earthenware.

I have a feeling that there are objects, which survive from the Mountainside Pottery today that are unmarked, and they may often be mistaken for objects that were produced in North Carolina during the circa 1920-1950 period.

Nonetheless, I feel the skilled wares that were made in Mountainside, New Jersey are important to understand today as-a-result of the fantastic forms and the remarkable vibrant colored-glazes that were regularly applied to the pottery.

 20th C. Hand-Thrown Red Earthenware Vase Made at the Mountainside Pottery in New Jersey

Circa 1929-1941

Stands 7 1/2" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Just Art Pottery

View of the Base and the Hand Inscribed 'MP' Mark

Photo Courtesy: Just Art Pottery

  20th C. Hand-Thrown Red Earthenware Vase Made at the Mountainside Pottery in New Jersey

Circa 1929-1941

Stands 5 1/2" Tall

Photo Courtesy: eBay

View of the Base and the Hand Inscribed 'MP' Mark

Photo Courtesy: eBay

  20th C. Hand-Thrown Red Earthenware Vase Made at the Mountainside Pottery in New Jersey

Circa 1929-1941

Stands 11" Tall

Photo Courtesy: eBay

View of the Base and the Hand Inscribed 'MP' Mark

Photo Courtesy: eBay

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

A Fun Experiment with Two Local Clay Sources in Essex County, Massachusetts

This is an exciting project that I spoke with Ohio potter, Greg Shooner about a few week ago at Historic Eastfield Village's annual ceramic conference, otherwise known as, 'Dish Camp' in Nassau, New York. I told him that I knew the whereabouts of two clay sources in Essex County, Massachusetts - and, both of these clay sources were likely used for local eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth-century utilitarian red earthenware production. Although, the twentieth-century production was geared more towards floral products, bricks and art pottery.

The first clay source that is shown below is very-likely the same source that William Pecker, (1758-1820) and other red earthenware potters harvested in Merrimacport, Massachusetts in the eighteenth and nineteenth-centuries. This source is actually positioned directly next to the small area of shoreline along the Merrimac River, where I have been collecting red earthenware and stoneware sherds from Pecker's circa 1784-1820 production. I estimate that this clay source is located less-than forty-yards from where Pecker operated his kiln.

The second clay source is found close to where the Daniel Bayley (1729-1792) Pottery Company produced red earthenware in Newburyport, Massachusetts, circa 1766-1799. However, there were other early potters near this source, as well, such as Clement Kent (active before 1774) and Ebenezer Morrison (1741-1803). The Merrimac Pottery Company also produced floral products and art pottery near this clay source during the circa 1897-1908 period.

Connecticut Author and Collector, Jonathan Rickard Photographing Ohio Potter, Greg Shooner

Photo Taken at Dish Camp 2016

I made an arrangement with Greg. He said that if I dug clay from both of these locations, and mailed him samples that he would fire the clay in his kiln. 

Today, I dug both clay sources, and I will mail him the clay once it dries out a little bit to save on the shipping costs. However, I will also update this story when I find out what happens with the clay. This is exciting!

Clay From Merrimacport, Mass.

 Location Where Potters Operated in Merrimacport, Mass. in the 18th & 19th Centuries

The Most Prominent Potter was Likely William Pecker Who Operated Circa 1784-1820

  Location Where Potters Operated in Merrimacport, Mass. in the 18th & 19th Centuries

The Most Prominent Potter was Likely William Pecker Who Operated Circa 1784-1820

  Location Where Potters Operated in Merrimacport, Mass. in the 18th & 19th Centuries

The Most Prominent Potter was Likely William Pecker Who Operated Circa 1784-1820

  Location Where Potters Operated in Merrimacport, Mass. in the 18th & 19th Centuries

The Most Prominent Potter was Likely William Pecker Who Operated Circa 1784-1820

  Location Where Potters Operated in Merrimacport, Mass. in the 18th & 19th Centuries

The Most Prominent Potter was Likely William Pecker Who Operated Circa 1784-1820

  Location Where Potters Operated in Merrimacport, Mass. in the 18th & 19th Centuries

The Most Prominent Potter was Likely William Pecker Who Operated Circa 1784-1820

Clay That was Dug Today in Merrimacport, Mass.

An Example of William Pecker's Production

The Jug is Dated in Slip, '1797'

Photo Courtesy: Northeast Auctions - Portsmouth, NH

 Clay From Newburyport, Mass.

 Location Where Clay is Available in Newburyport, Mass.

This Site is Not Far from Where the Daniel Bayley Pottery Company Operated Circa 1766-1799

This Site is Also Not Far From Where the Merrimac Pottery Company Operated Circa 1897-1908

However, There Were Other 18th & 19th Century Potters in Newburyport, As Well

 Location Where Clay is Available in Newburyport, Mass.

This Site is Not Far from Where the Daniel Bayley Pottery Company Operated Circa 1766-1799

This Site is Also Not Far From Where the Merrimac Pottery Company Operated Circa 1897-1908

However, There Were Other 18th & 19th Century Potters in Newburyport, As Well

Clay That was Dug Today in Newburyport, Mass.

Jug Made By Daniel Bayley in Newburyport, Mass.

It was Made for the 5th Parish Congregational Church in Newbury, Mass.

It was Made to Store Wine

It is Inscribed, '"For the Use of Mr. Noble's Church July 10, 1763"

Photo Courtesy: Museum of Old York - York, ME

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