Art From the Earth: An Exhibit of Early American Stoneware that Took Place at the Gunn Memorial Museum in Connecticut in 2012

According to Stephen Bartkus, curator at the Gunn Memorial Museum in Washington, Connecticut, "Art from the Earth: Early American stonware (was an) exhibit in 2012 that exhibited over 140 pieces of uniquely decorated eighteenth and nineteenth century stoneware from throughout the northeast, assembled by Edwin and Thayer Hochberg, David Behnke & Paul Doherty, and Edwin and Judith Kelz. 

The stoneware featured ranged from a circa 1780 pot attributed to Abraham Mead in Greenwich, Connecticut, to the elaborate workmanship of a circa 1880 Boston Bean Pot made at the Whites Pottery in Utica, New York."

Stephen Bartkus told me in 2012, "The museum also hosted a stoneware series to coincide with the exhibit, where national experts spoke monthly. The experts included Steven Ledger, Guy Wolff, Leslie Keno, Meta Janowitz, Mark Zipp and Brandt Zipp."

Below, I have posted the entire catalog from this exhibit, which lists all 140 pieces of stoneware; as-well-as a few photographs that were provided to me by the museum in 2012, which show wide shots of the stoneware exhibit.

Art From the Earth: Early American Stoneware Catalog

Art From the Earth: Early American Stoneware Catalog

April 29-October 14, 2012

Pages 1, 16

Courtesy: Gunn Memorial Museum - Washington, Connecticut

 Art From the Earth: Early American Stoneware Catalog

April 29-October 14, 2012

Pages 2, 15

Courtesy: Gunn Memorial Museum - Washington, Connecticut

 Art From the Earth: Early American Stoneware Catalog

April 29-October 14, 2012

Pages 3, 14

Courtesy: Gunn Memorial Museum - Washington, Connecticut

 Art From the Earth: Early American Stoneware Catalog

April 29-October 14, 2012

Pages 4, 13

Courtesy: Gunn Memorial Museum - Washington, Connecticut

 Art From the Earth: Early American Stoneware Catalog

April 29-October 14, 2012

Pages 5, 12

Courtesy: Gunn Memorial Museum - Washington, Connecticut

 Art From the Earth: Early American Stoneware Catalog

April 29-October 14, 2012

Pages 6, 11

Courtesy: Gunn Memorial Museum - Washington, Connecticut

 Art From the Earth: Early American Stoneware Catalog

April 29-October 14, 2012

Pages 7, 10

Courtesy: Gunn Memorial Museum - Washington, Connecticut

Art From the Earth: Early American Stoneware Catalog

April 29-October 14, 2012

Pages 8, 9

Courtesy: Gunn Memorial Museum - Washington, Connecticut

Art From the Earth: Early American Stoneware Exhibit

 Art From the Earth: Early American Stoneware Exhibit

April 29-October 14, 2012

Courtesy: Gunn Memorial Museum - Washington, Connecticut

 Art From the Earth: Early American Stoneware Exhibit

April 29-October 14, 2012

Courtesy: Gunn Memorial Museum - Washington, Connecticut

 Art From the Earth: Early American Stoneware Exhibit

April 29-October 14, 2012

Courtesy: Gunn Memorial Museum - Washington, Connecticut

 Art From the Earth: Early American Stoneware Exhibit

April 29-October 14, 2012

Courtesy: Gunn Memorial Museum - Washington, Connecticut

 Art From the Earth: Early American Stoneware Exhibit

April 29-October 14, 2012

Courtesy: Gunn Memorial Museum - Washington, Connecticut

 Art From the Earth: Early American Stoneware Exhibit

April 29-October 14, 2012

Courtesy: Gunn Memorial Museum - Washington, Connecticut

Art From the Earth: Early American Stoneware Exhibit

April 29-October 14, 2012

Courtesy: Gunn Memorial Museum - Washington, Connecticut

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

A Comparison of Red Earthenware Bowls Attributed to Peabody, Massachusetts

This is a red earthenware bowl that I have written about before; however, I would like to compare it today to a bowl that is owned by the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. This artifact was recovered in a late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth-century archaeological context at Boston Common, where it was likely deposited as part of landfill, which had probably been thrown away from a local home.

It was determined in a previous article that this bowl was likely made in Peabody, Massachusetts in the late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth-century. The Osborn family may be responsible; although, it is difficult to be certain of that attribution since there was an enormous amount of potters employed in the Peabody-area during this period.

I have found that Essex County, Massachusetts potters likely exported some red earthenware to the Boston-area during the circa 1775-1900 period. Archaeological evidence from a number of contexts in Boston, Dorchester and Charlestown suggest that there must have been some type of interaction with merchants in the Boston-area and the potter's industry in Essex County during this period.

Nevertheless, I recently realized that the Peabody Essex Museum owns a related, but less decorated bowl when I visited the museum's storage facility in 2014. Their bowl retains a history of ownership in Salem, Massachusetts from the 1800's, but I believe it was made just to the west of Salem in neighboring Peabody, circa 1780-1840.

The size of the museum's bowl is smaller, and the manufacture suggests that these bowls could be from the same potter's business. But the production also suggests that these bowls are pretty-much undoubtedly from Essex County; although, I personally believe that both of these bowls originated in Peabody, Massachusetts.

Bowl Recovered from Boston Common

Late-18th or Early-19th Century Bowl Likely Made in Peabody, Mass.

Uncovered From Boston Common in Boston in an Early-19th Century Context

Circa 1780-1820

Measures Approximately 10" in Diameter

 Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

 View of the Interior

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

View of the Base

Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, Mass.

Bowl Owned by the Peabody Essex Museum

Late-18th or Early-19th Century Bowl Likely Made in Peabody, Mass.

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

Circa 1780-1840

Measures Approximately 7" in Diameter

Photo Courtesy: Peabody Essex Museum - Salem, Mass.

 View of the Interior

Photo Courtesy: Peabody Essex Museum - Salem, Mass.

View of the Base

Photo Courtesy: Peabody Essex Museum - Salem, Mass.

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

A Large 18th Century Pitcher that Retains a History of Ownership in Rhode Island

I recently handled this large eighteenth-century black-glazed red earthenware pitcher while visiting the Little Compton Historical Society in Rhode Island. This pitcher retains a local history of ownership in the Little Compton-area that predates 1950, which suggests (to me) that this object may have also been locally owned in the nineteenth-century.

This historical society's pottery collection is notably interesting since many of the objects retain a history of local ownership, where many of those objects were also made in southeastern Massachusetts. As-a-result, this collection also suggests (to me) that a lot of pottery from southeastern Massachusetts was likely exported to Rhode Island in the late-eighteenth and nineteenth-centuries. I have also seen archaeology collections from Rhode Island, where red earthenware sherds have been recovered, which match the type of production that took place in southeastern Massachusetts.

The collar that is seen just below the rim is especially interesting since I have seen other objects with this type of collar, which have been attributed to eighteenth-century Massachusetts. I actually own a related pitcher that is larger, and it also shows some incised decoration around the body.

There must have been a potter's business in Massachusetts, where these type of wares were made in the late-1700's and early-1800's. I have, yet to prove the potter's business, but there is enough evidence that survives today to make a strong argument that these type of collared wares were made in this part of New England.

Note: Here is a link to a beautiful collared pitcher that may be related, which was recently found in an attic in a Cape Cod home in Falmouth, Massachusetts.

Pitcher Owned by Little Compton Historical Society

 18th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Pitcher Likely Made in Massachusetts

Circa 1760-1800

Stands Approximately 12" Tall

Retains a Local History of Ownership in Rhode Island that Predates 1950

Photo Courtesy: Little Compton, Rhode Island Historical Society

View of the Handle

Photo Courtesy: Little Compton, Rhode Island Historical Society

An Important 18th Century Green-Glazed Red Earthenware Tea Canister

History indicates the Upton Pottery was established by two brothers, Isaac Upton (1736-1824) and Samuel Upton (1748-1810) in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. It was purportedly a business that was established amid the American Revolution Era during the circa 1771-1783 period. A brief history of this business is reportedly preserved in a book published in 1892, titled 'China Collecting in America,' which was written by Alice Morse Earle.

According to Earle, "Around the commencement of the Revolutionary War a man named Upton came from Nantucket to East Greenwich, Rhode Island, and there manufactured red earthenware. The pottery when made was baked in a kiln which stood at the corner of King and Marlboro Streets. He made pans, bowls, plates, cups and saucers of common red clay, a little finer than that now used in the manufacture of flower pots. As little porcelain was imported from Europe during the War, people used willingly, and even eagerly, the coarse plates, and drank their 'Liberty Tea' from the coarse cups and saucers. The clay came from Goold's Mount, now owned by Mr. Henry Waterman, of Quidneset, Rhode Island. After the war ended, Upton went back to his safety-assured home on Nantucket and the Greenwich Pottery was closed."

I truly question how much actually survives from the Upton Pottery today; although, I have seen a small number of examples of eighteenth or early-nineteenth century red earthenware in recent years that were attributed to Rhode Island. However, I feel that many (if not most) of these products were actually made in southeastern Massachusetts in the late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth-century. I can not recall a piece that I have seen, which was attributed to Rhode Island that did not match what was produced in southeastern Massachusetts in glaze-color, clay-color and the style of production.

To my knowledge: there were only two attempts to produce red earthenware in Rhode Island - the first attempt happened with Joseph Wilson (born 1735) in Providence Rhode Island. Joseph was a member of the prominent Wilson family of potters, who operated a successful multi-generational business in South Danvers, Massachusetts in the eighteenth-century. Nevertheless, Joseph Wilson chose to travel elsewhere for work - he briefly settled in Dedham, Massachusetts in the early-1760's; although, he is later found in Providence, Rhode Island, circa 1767-1770.

An advertisement from the 'Newport (Rhode Island) Mercury' on June 22, 1767 identifies some of the types of wares that Wilson produced in Providence: "Joseph Wilson - potter at the North End of Providence Informs the Public that he can Supply them with Earthen Ware at a Cheap Rate, made in the best Manner and Glazed in the Same Way as Practised in Philadelphia - All Persons in this Town may be regularly supplied by Means of the Boats which constantly pass between this Place and Providence."

The Upton Pottery is the only other business, which is known to have produced red earthenware in Rhode Island - afterwards, Rhode Island seems to have been dominated with red earthenware imported from southeastern Massachusetts and Connecticut. Evidence of this export/import business can be seen at the Little Compton, Rhode Island Historical Society, where a number of products retain early local histories of ownership. Stoneware also became popular in Rhode Island in the late-eighteenth and nineteenth-centuries.

With that said, I do not know how any red earthenware can be one-hundred-percent attributed to Rhode Island today without concrete archaeological evidence. But Alice Morse Earle does state in 1892 in 'China Collecting in America' that "... As little porcelain was imported from Europe during the War, people used willingly, and even eagerly, the coarse plates, and drank their 'Liberty Tea' from the coarse cups and saucers (that were made at the Upton Pottery)." 

I recently thought about this red earthenware tea canister that appears eighteenth-century in origin. It is thought to be from southeastern Massachusetts; however, I will suggest that it could be from the Upton Pottery since this business appears to have produced red earthenware with the idea that some of it would be used for the consumption of tea. I believe this tea canister also dates from the proper period, as to when the Upton Pottery was in operation.

18th Century Red Earthenware Tea Canister

18th Century Red Earthenware Tea Canister

Possibly Made at the Upton Pottery in East Greenwich, RI

Possibly Circa 1771-1783

Stands Approximately 8" Tall

Ex-Samuel Herrup Collection

Photo Courtesy: Private Connecticut Collection

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

Give Drink to the Thirsty: An Important Norwalk, Connecticut Red Earthenware Dish

A few months ago, a wonderful nineteenth-century slip-decorated red earthenware dish, which was attributed to the potter's industry in Norwalk, Connecticut appeared in an antique shop in Goffstown, New Hampshire. The writing was difficult to decipher; however, it was eventually determined that the slip read, 'Alms Dish.' This was a significant discovery if this is how this dish was truly used, where an Alms dish would have been treated as a tray, which was used for collecting the offering (money) from a congregation.

It just dawned on me that this was not the only example of religion that is found in slip-decorated red earthenware made in Norwalk before 1860. An incredible dish sold last May, when Skinner sold Lewis Scranton's collection of Americana at an amazing onsite sale in Killingworth, Connecticut. 'Give Drink to the Thirsty' was written in slip on this important dish, which has also recently been recreated by Oregonia, Ohio potter, Greg Shooner.

According to the website, 'The Divine Mercy,' "The Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in spiritual and bodily necessities. The Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy seek to help alleviate human misery - material deprivation, unjust oppression, physical and psychological illness and death.

The Corporal Works of Mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick and imprisoned and burying the dead. Among all these giving alms (money) to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity."

Note: Here is a link to the 'Give Drink to the Thirsty' dish, which is listed as part of Lewis Scranton's catalog on Skinner's website.

Important Norwalk, Connecticut Dish

19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Dish Attributed to Norwalk, Connecticut

Written in Slip, 'Give Drink to the Thirsty'

Circa 1820-1860

Measures 13 3/4" in Length

Ex-Lewis Scranton Collection - Killingworth, CT

Photo Courtesy: Lewis Scranton - Killingworth, CT

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

A Beautiful 19th Century New England Red Earthenware Pitcher

This is an absolutely stunning early-nineteenth-century red earthenware pitcher, which I acquired a few summers ago at a Willis Henry auction in Manchester, New Hampshire. The pitcher had been consigned as part of the Earl Curry Collection of red earthenware and stoneware. Willis Henry sold Curry's collection through the span of four auctions between 2013 to 2015. However, I feel this piece is arguably among the rarest and most appealing objects that were collected by the late Mr. Curry.

I have not been able to develop an accurate attribution for this object, yet, but I feel it was made somewhere along coastal Massachusetts, circa 1800-1830. Interestingly, there are a couple of these pitchers that are known to exist today in private collections, but I do not know of any examples that are owned by museums, such as the Smithsonian, Historic New England, Old Sturbridge Village, etc.

The glaze is spectacular! Although, I do know of a few related pieces; however, I feel this pitcher could be the best known glaze from this unknown potter's production that survives today.

If you look closely, just below the rim, you will see that the potter also added a stamped decoration, which extends around the entire pitcher. I feel this is a remarkable example of New England-made red earthenware that is rarely seen today.

 Early-19th Century New England Red Earthenware Pitcher

Likely Made in Coastal Massachusetts

Circa 1800-1830

Stands 9 1/8" Tall

Ex-Earl Curry Collection - Massachusetts

 Another View of the Pitcher

Another View of the Pitcher

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

A Bargain 18th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher that Sold in 2009

I was recently studying some past auction results at some of the larger American auction houses, when I came across an incredible bargain at Crocker Farm in 2009. This wonderful late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth-century red earthenware pitcher sold for only $149.50. It was likely made in coastal Massachusetts, where I think an argument can be made for potters in both Essex County, Massachusetts and southeastern Massachusetts; although, the strongest argument is probably southeastern Massachusetts

The reason it was such a bargain is a result of the form, which is rarely seen today. The form also appears like it dates from the eighteenth-century, possibly as-early-as circa 1770.

There are only a small number of these type of pitchers, which are known to exist today. For example, Historic Deerfield in Deerfield, Massachusetts owns an example that was brokered into the museum as part of the William T. Brandon Memorial Collection of American Redware and Ceramics.

According to 'Antiques and the Arts Weekly,' "William 'Bill' T. Brandon (1935-2005) grew up in North Carolina, but lived in Massachusetts for more than fifty years. Brandon had a number of educational and professional achievements, but he was also an avid historian, amateur archaeologist and pottery collector. His collection ranged in date from eighteenth to early twentieth century examples, focusing predominantly on New England-made ceramics, particularly redware, a topic in which he had intended to write a book. The core of the collection was given to him by his friend, Dr. Burton Gates (1881-1972), a professor of biology at Clark University, who was an early researcher and antiques dealer in the field of American ceramics and glass. Largely assembled before 1930, the material that Gates acquired concentrated on objects with family provenances and documentation."

Recently, Massachusetts auctioneer, Willis Henry also sold one of these pitchers in 2013 from the Earl Curry Collection in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The pitcher sold for almost $10,000; however, it is considered to be one of the best pitchers known from this form (and potter) as-a-result of the beautiful glaze.

Nevertheless, I wish I had paid better attention to Crocker Farm's auction in March 2009. But I assume this pitcher is also kept in a private collection since this object does not appear to have resurfaced.

Note: Here is a link to a similar pitcher that I acquired from Killingworth, Connecticut antiques dealer, Lewis Scranton in 2014 at the annual New Hampshire Antiques Dealers Association Show in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Crocker Farm Pitcher

 Late-18th or Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher

Attributed to Coastal Massachusetts

Likely Southeastern Massachusetts

Circa 1770-1810

Stands Approximately 8" to 10" Tall

Sold for $149.50 in 2009

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD

Another View of the Pitcher

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD

Historic Deerfield Pitcher

 Late-18th or Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher

Attributed to Coastal Massachusetts

Likely Southeastern Massachusetts

Circa 1770-1810

Stands Approximately 10" Tall

William T. Brandon Memorial Collection of American Redware and Ceramics

Ex-Dr. Burton Gates Collection

Photo Courtesy: Historic Deerfield - Deerfield, Mass.

 Another View of the Pitcher

Photo Courtesy: Historic Deerfield - Deerfield, Mass.

 Dr. Burton Gates Handwritten Tag from 1918

Photo Courtesy: Historic Deerfield - Deerfield, Mass.

Willis Henry Pitcher

Late-18th or Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher

Attributed to Coastal Massachusetts

Likely Southeastern Massachusetts

Circa 1770-1810

Stands 8" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Willis Henry - Marshfield, Mass.

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