EarlyAmericanCeramics.com

Saturday, September 9, 2017

A 19th Century Red Earthenware Pot Recovered in Portsmouth New Hampshire

A few weeks ago, I began writing, again about the late-eighteenth and nineteenth century Dodge family pottery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, which is a subject that I first wrote about in 2016. It is a potter's business that is rarely cited today even though I am positive that a number of products from this business survive.

In fact, I saw a small colorfully glazed red earthenware jug this week at the antique shows in Brimfield, Massachusetts, which I believe was made at the Dodge Pottery in Portsmouth in the 1800s. The dealer was asking $950 for it and also attributing the jug to Maine. But the form and unusual glaze are both styles that I have definitely seen recovered archaeologically in Portsmouth.

This is a nineteenth century red earthenware pot that was also recovered in Portsmouth; although, I have not been able to determine the exact context whether it be eighteenth or nineteenth century. But I also suspect that it was made in Portsmouth even though I have not been able to determine the potter's business.

Nevertheless, Portsmouth was a city that regularly employed a red earthenware company from the circa 1729-1880 period. Interestingly, this is also a location that is rarely cited today for red earthenware production.

Notes: Here is a link to an article that I wrote, which was published in the April 2017 edition of the New England Antiques Journal that further discusses some of the red earthenware production that took place in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Here are also links to the stories that I have previously published on this website about the Dodge Pottery in Portsmouth:

1) Archaeology of the Dodge Pottery Site in Portsmouth, NH

2) Chamber Pots Possibly Made at the Dodge Pottery Recovered in Portsmouth, NH

3) A Green-Glazed Flower Pot Recovered in Portsmouth, NH

4) An Introduction to the Dodge Pottery in Portsmouth, NH

Red Earthenware Pot Recovered in Portsmouth, NH

My Niece, Alexis Pictured with the Red Earthenware Pot

18th or 19th Century Red Earthenware Pot Recovered in Portsmouth, NH

Possibly Made in Portsmouth, NH

Stands 5 3/8" Tall

Measures 10 3/8" Wide from the Handle to the Rim
See Article for More Information

Another View of the Pot

View of the Handle

Another View of the Handle

View of the Rim

View of the Base

View of the Interior

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

An Unusual Formed Red Earthenware Jug that Appeared this Week in Brimfield, Massachusetts

Earlier this week, I saw a group of red earthenware in Brimfield, Massachusetts that had just been acquired from a private collection in New Hampshire. All of the pottery that I saw also appeared to have been made in central and northern New England in the nineteenth century with examples from Essex County, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.

Nonetheless, this unusual formed jug was also included in the collection of pottery that I viewed; although, I am not convinced where it was made. But I wanted to briefly talk about its possible origin this morning since I have seen two matching forms in the past.

I have no proof of the attribution, however, in both instances that I have previously seen this style it has been attributed to the potter's industry in Exeter, New Hampshire.

I have studied at the Exeter Historical Society and the New Hampshire Historical Society in Concord, New Hampshire, but neither museum owns such an example. I cannot prove or discredit the attributions that I have previously seen, but I thought this would be an interesting form to think about this morning; whereas, I have already cited that this jug was also recently acquired in New Hampshire.

Red Earthenware Jug Reportedly Acquired in New Hampshire

19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Reportedly Acquired in New Hampshire

I Have Previously Seen this Form Attributed to Exeter, NH

But I Have No Proof of the Attribution

Stands Approximately 5" to 6" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private New England Antiques Dealer

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

Two New England Red Earthenware Jugs that Sold at Northeast Auctions in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

A few weeks ago, Northeast Auctions in Portsmouth, New Hampshire sold a group of red earthenware that included two slip-decorated platters, which were likely made in Philadelphia, a terrific pitcher made in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, as well as a number of examples of New England pottery. I have previously written about some of these objects, where I covered the auction last month on this website; however, I also wanted to show two jugs that caught my attention at this sale.

This first jug was reportedly consigned from an estate in Rochester, New Hampshire; my reason for writing about this object this morning is a result of the form and handle.

This is not the first instance that I have seen this style of handle. I have actually seen this style a number of times, which include some objects in my personal collection. But I have never been able to determine a correct attribution for the origin outside of a potter in northern New England.

I also believe that the easy answer would be to say that the form of this jug is from Maine; however, I have seen this style emerge a few times in the area between Rochester and Concord, New Hampshire, which makes me think this may have been a style produced in central New Hampshire that is not well documented today.

Nevertheless, if anyone has an interest in this jug - it was purchased by Salem, New Hampshire antiques dealer, Brett Cabral; whereas, I saw it for sale this week in Brimfield, Massachusetts for a very reasonable price.

Northern New England Jug

19th Century Northern New England Red Earthenware Jug

Possibly Made in Central New Hampshire

Circa 1800-1850

Stands 9 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Northeast Auctions - Portsmouth, NH

View of the Handle

Photo Courtesy: Northeast Auctions - Portsmouth, NH

This is a heck of a jug that I wanted to write about for show-and-tell purposes, which Northeast Auctions sold in a group lot. This jug was made in southeastern Massachusetts in the late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth century, but what makes it extraordinary is the incredible multi-colored glaze. There are only a few objects that survive from this industry today with this type of glaze, which include an incredible example that sold for around $10,000 in 2007 at Pook & Pook Auctions in Downington, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, this jug lost its handle, but it is still a rare piece of pottery to own today.

Southeastern Massachusetts Jug

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

Attributed to Southeastern Massachusetts

Circa 1780-1820

Stands Approximately 6" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Northeast Auctions - Portsmouth, NH

View of the Broken Handle

Photo Courtesy: Northeast Auctions - Portsmouth, NH

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

Friday, September 8, 2017

A Rare Late-18th or Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher from Southeastern Massachusetts

Earlier this week, I posted pictures of a rare late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth century large southeastern Massachusetts red earthenware pitcher that I had acquired from Pennsylvania. The pitcher was also reportedly just discovered in Pennsylvania, as well. But I had also written that I would post better pictures once the object had arrived.

Nonetheless, I was not surprised yesterday when I opened the box to see this object and the glaze colors were actually more vibrant than what I had shown in the original pictures. I had also suspected that it would appear brighter; however, I was also impressed with the size of this object standing 10 5/8 inches tall.

This is actually an extremely rare form to find today. I have not previously seen this form in any museum or private collection that I have viewed; although, the southeastern Massachusetts attribution is obvious based on the shape of the classic southeastern Massachusetts jar that can be seen in the ovoid form. But the attribution is also supported by the handle, the base and the glaze.

Note: Here is a link to the original article about this pitcher that I posted earlier this week, which discusses the jar that can be seen in the ovoid shape that the potter used to make this wonderful object.

Southeastern Massachusetts Pitcher

My Niece, Alexis Pictured with the Southeastern Mass. Pitcher

Late-18th or Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher Attributed to Southeastern Mass.

Recently Discovered in Pennsylvania

Circa 1780-1820

Stands 10 5/8" Tall

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Pitcher

View of the Handle

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

Thursday, September 7, 2017

A Monumental 19th Century Bean Pot that was Likely Used for Advertising which Appeared this Week in Brimfield, Massachusetts

I wrote an article about the Charles A. Lawrence Pottery in Beverly, Massachusetts, circa 1866-1906, which was published in the January 2014 edition of the New England Antiques Journal. I included a picture of a monumental bean pot in that article that was made at the C.A. Lawrence Pottery and owned today by the Beverly Historical Society. The bean pot was carefully stamped, "PRESENTED TO THE / FIRST MAYOR OF BEVERLY / FROM THE BEVERLY POTTERY / JAN. 1895."

Each stamped letter was also carefully glazed and the interior of the pot was decorated with a clear lead glaze that appeared orange.

Yesterday, I was surprised to see a related monumental bean pot while walking around the fields at the antique shows in Brimfield, Massachusetts. The pot was sitting on a table at the Hertan's Antique Show in the booth of Daniel and Karen Olson, who are longtime antique dealers from Newburgh, New York. They told me that the pot was included in a large group of stoneware that they had recently acquired privately in upstate New York.

Prominently stamped across the front of this pot are the words, "LOUIS E. MERRY / BOSTON BAKED BEANS / 39 PRINCE STREET."

Thanks to Falmouth, Massachusetts antiques dealer, Paulette Nolan, it was bought to my attention this morning that Mr. Merry was likely a baker working at 39 Prince Street in Boston's North End neighborhood. It would be my guess that this object may have once sat in the window of this bakery.

I should also note that until yesterday, I had thought that the pot owned by the Beverly Historical Society was the only monumental bean pot made at the Beverly Pottery; however, that does not appear to be the case, anymore. There are also two smaller stamped bean pots with merchant information owned by the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts.

Note: Here is a link to an article that I posted earlier this year, which shows a great stamped pot from the Charles A. Lawrence Pottery in Beverly, Massachusetts that I found a few years ago in Salem, Massachusetts. The basic form of this object is related to these monumental bean pots.

Pot Owned by Beverly, Mass. Historical Society

Late-19th Century Monumental Bean Pot Made for the First Mayor of Beverly, Mass.

Attributed to the Charles A. Lawrence Pottery in Beverly, Mass.

Circa 1895

Published in an Article that I Wrote for the Jan. 2014 Edition of the New England Antiques Journal

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Beverly, Mass. Historical Society

Pot Recently Acquired by Daniel and Karen Olson

Late-19th Century Monumental Bean Pot Made for Louis E. Merry
Probably Made for a Baker Named Mr. Merry in Boston's North End Neighborhood

Attributed to the Charles A. Lawrence Pottery in Beverly, Mass.

Circa 1890-1900

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Daniel and Karen Olson - Newburgh, NY

Another View of the Pot

Photo Courtesy: Daniel and Karen Olson - Newburgh, NY

Another View of the Pot

Photo Courtesy: Daniel and Karen Olson - Newburgh, NY

Another View of the Pot

Photo Courtesy: Daniel and Karen Olson - Newburgh, NY

Another View of the Pot

Photo Courtesy: Daniel and Karen Olson - Newburgh, NY

View of the Interior

Photo Courtesy: Daniel and Karen Olson - Newburgh, NY

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

Monday, September 4, 2017

A Late-18th or Early-19th Century Large Red Earthenware Pitcher from Southeastern Massachusetts

I will post better pictures later this week or early next week; however, in the meantime, I want to show this late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth century red earthenware pitcher that I just acquired from an antiques dealer in Pennsylvania.

The size of this object is wonderful standing 10 1/4 inches tall. I am only familiar today with a small number of pitchers that are this size from southeastern Massachusetts. But I have not seen this exact form before; although, there are a number of factors that contribute to the attribution, such as the handle, the ovoid shape, the footed base, the clay color and the glaze.

I think the shape of this object is exciting, and the idea behind it is comparable to some examples of early American glass, where an object was altered from a known form to make another form.

If you were to remove the handle, the top of the pitcher and the collar - all that you would have left is a classic formed jar, which was produced in southeastern Massachusetts in the late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth centuries.

Note: I will post better pictures of this object when it arrives in the mail later this week or early next week.

Large Red Earthenware Pitcher from SE Massachusetts

Late-18th or Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher Attributed to SE Massachusetts

Circa 1780-1820

Stands 10 5/8" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: 1turtlebez - Feasterville-Trevose, PA

Another View of the Pitcher

Photo Courtesy: 1turtlebez - Feasterville-Trevose, PA

Another View of the Pitcher

Photo Courtesy: 1turtlebez - Feasterville-Trevose, PA

View of the Handle

Photo Courtesy: 1turtlebez - Feasterville-Trevose, PA

View of the Base

Photo Courtesy: 1turtlebez - Feasterville-Trevose, PA

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

Sunday, September 3, 2017

A Pair of Rare Painted 19th Century Grecian-Style Red Earthenware Vases that Appeared at an Onsite Sale Yesterday in Waterboro, Maine

Last week, I wrote about a Grecian-style of cold painted red earthenware production that happened at the Charles A. Lawrence Pottery in Beverly, Massachusetts, as early as 1872. This is a rare style of production to find today; whereas, I only know about a small number of examples that exist.

I actually first learned about this style of production about ten years ago from a great object, which is currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. However, because of the museum's object, I have been able to discover a small group of additional examples throughout New England and one example in Florida.

There is also a terrific example owned by the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as well as a few examples privately owned today; although, I would say that to my knowledge the total is less than twenty known pieces. But it is also this type of material that makes the hunt for antiques so much fun today; you never know what is going to show up where.

According to a book published by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is also currently sold in the museum's bookstore, 'In Pursuit of Beauty: Americans and the Aesthetic Movement,' "Facsimiles of Greek terra-cotta vessels were some of the earliest artistic ceramics produced in America. The first known reference to an 'artware line' appeared in 1872, when the 'Beverly Pottery at the request of Boston ladies began to copy beautiful forms of ancient vases to order.' Charles A. Lawrence, the superintendent of that Massachusetts factory, intentionally limited his production of imitation Greek pottery, for he feared that if it became common it would depreciate in value. He therefore sold it only in small lots to his 'artistic' friends for their own private collections."

Yesterday, I attended a really fun onsite auction in Waterboro, Maine, where Amesbury, Massachusetts auctioneer, John McInnis sold the contents of a house to the highest bidder. There was no internet bidding, no phone bidding and no absentee bidding - in order to bid, you had to attend the auction.

John McInnis had posted some pictures online that showed what would be sold, but most of the material could only be seen by attending the preview. The sale included a variety of folk art, pottery, furniture, art, architectural elements, a vintage Jeep and much more!

Nevertheless, I drove to the auction hopeful that I may see a hidden treasure - and, I was quite surprised after walking around for a few minutes to see a pair of C.A. Lawrence Pottery painted Grecian-style vases from the 1870s in great condition, which were in a group lot that included a small humidor, some modern pottery and two dolls.

Note: Here is a link to the article that I posted last week, which analyzed the Grecian-style jug that is owned today by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Onsite Auction in Waterboro, Maine