A Wonderful Green-Glazed Bristol County, Massachusetts Red Earthenware Jar Discovered in a Thrift Store in New York

Last fall, I wrote about a remarkable nineteenth century slip-decorated red earthenware jar that I had just acquired, which was recently discovered inside a thrift shop in Los Angeles. I was really shocked that such a rare object could end up in such an environment, but it did.

Nevertheless, it was brought to my attention today that another wonderful object was just discovered at another thrift store; however, this discovery was made in the Hudson Valley Region in New York.

This fantastic late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth century green-glazed red earthenware jar from Bristol County, Massachusetts must have been donated to the thrift store from a recent house clean out. This is a desired form of production today, especially the green-glaze, which has been coveted by collectors and museums now for more than a century. Similar examples can be found in Winterthur in Delaware, the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., Historic New England, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and so on.

Note: Here is a link to a story that I posted last summer about green-glazed red earthenware sherds from Bristol County, Massachusetts, which were recovered by archaeologists at the site of the African American Meeting House in Boston.

Bristol County, Mass. Jar Recently Found in New York

 Late-18th or Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to Bristol County, Mass.

Recently Discovered in a Thrift Store in New York

Circa 1780-1820

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private New York Collection

 Another View of the Jar

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private New York Collection

View of the Base

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private New York Collection

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

A Colorful 19th Century Red Earthenware Mug that was Possibly Made in Vermont, Circa 1800-1830/40

It would seem that some of the nineteenth century red earthenware mugs made in Vermont were often decorated with multicolored vibrant glazes. For example, the choice of colorful glaze is obvious in a mug that I posted earlier this week, which is owned today by the Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History in Middlebury, Vermont, as well as another mug that was purportedly made in Vermont, which sold last year in Plainfield, New Hampshire.

Nevertheless, this is a mug that I acquired a few years ago from western Massachusetts, which had previously been owned for decades in a private collection in central New Hampshire. The previous owner had written on the bottom that it may have been made in New Hampshire, but I do not necessarily agree with the attribution.  It may have been found in New Hampshire, but the handle, thumb impression on the handle terminal and the choice of glaze colors are not styles that I have seen from New Hampshire before.

I could also see this object attributed to Maine based on the glaze colors; however, I do not believe this is a Maine-made object, either. Instead. I feel this is more-likely from Vermont, circa 1800-1830/40. I do not have visual proof to demonstrate, but I believe I have seen this type of handle before from Vermont, and the glaze is certainly a style that I have previously seen on Vermont red earthenware.

Note: Interestingly, though, this is also a form that was made in Pennsylvania in the nineteenth century that is not described today as a mug - rather, it is usually called a handled pot. But I do not believe this particular object is from that part of the country.

19th Century Red Earthenware Mug

19th Century Red Earthenware Mug Possibly Made in Vermont
Retains a History of Ownership in Central New Hampshire
Stands 6 5/8" Tall
See Article for More Information

Another View of the Mug

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Glaze

See Article for More Information

View of the Handle

See Article for More Information

View of the Interior

See Article for More Information

View of the Base

See Article for More Information

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

19th Century Red Earthenware Produced at the Lorenzo Johnson Pottery in Western New York

I was told a few summers ago that the whereabouts of a well-known nineteenth century red earthenware butter churn, made at the Lorenzo Johnson Pottery in Western New York, had disappeared in recent years. It was found around 1975 in a basement on Krauss Road in Clarence, New York by Williamsville, New York antiques dealer, Ron Korman. A group of regional collectors had known about the jar, but it seemed to have vanished. But that all changed when I visited the storage facility at the New York State Museum in Albany, New York in order to view Adam Weitsman's world-renowned stoneware collection, as well as the museum's inventory of red earthenware made in upstate New York.

The five-gallon butter churn was found inside a locker at the museum nestled between a pair of incredible cobalt-decorated stoneware objects from Weitsman's collection. The churn is stamped, "L. JOHNSON / & CO. / NEWSTEAD / 5." 

For the better part of this month, I have written about the red earthenware industry, which materialized throughout Vermont during the circa 1790-1830/40 period. I find it surprising that much of this industry is not documented today; whereas, it appears that twentieth century researchers devoted the majority of their time spent with the stoneware that was produced in Vermont in the 1800s.

However, red earthenware was the predecessor to stoneware in Vermont, and to my knowledge, the only eighteenth century utilitarian pottery produced in Vermont was created by the red earthenware potters. But a number of Vermont's red earthenware potters adapted and evolved to the changes that occurred within the potter's industry, which is when stoneware became the more lucrative and desired platform for utilitarian production.

Nonetheless, my recent research has been devoted to identifying some of this early red earthenware production, and the potters, who were involved with it, such as Captain John Norton who is most known today for the stoneware production that he was involved with in Bennington, Vermont in the 1800s.

It was a little different in Western New York, where red earthenware production was popular during the early-to-mid nineteenth century, a period that saw stoneware production also flourish locally. The opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 likely gave some of these potters export opportunities that were unavailable to some of the potters in Vermont, especially those surrounded by mountain ranges, which certainly limited how far some of their wares could travel.

This particular butter churn that Johnson made is special since it represents a brand of production that his company produced, which imitated the local stoneware production. This is a style of red earthenware that is hardly seen elsewhere in America in the eighteenth or nineteenth centuries. This also my be the finest example known from this variety of production from Johnson. The combination of the condition, decoration, glaze and stamp is remarkable.

I have also posted another jar that is attributed to Johnson, which is owned today by the New York State Museum. The decoration on this jar is also in imitation of stoneware; although, I have also posted another jar that was made by Johnson and owned by the museum that is a traditional style of red earthenware production. It should be noticeable how the form found on both of these objects certainly seem to be related.

Note: I will continue the discussion about red earthenware made in Vermont, circa 1790-1830/40 later this week. But I also want to mention that red earthenware from Maine, Vermont, Western New York and Ontario can be misidentified today because of attributions developed based on glazes, whereas, these areas all produced colorful glazes that can often resemble production from each area.

 Western New York Red Earthenware Butter Churn

19th Century Five-Gallon Red Earthenware Butter Churn 

Made at the Lorenzo Johnson Pottery in W. NY

Churn is Stamped, "L. JOHNSON / & CO. / NEWSTEAD / 5"

The Decoration and Form Imitates Stoneware Made During the Period

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: New York State Museum - Albany, NY

View of the Impressed Mark

Churn is Stamped, "L. JOHNSON / & CO. / NEWSTEAD / 5"

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: New York State Museum - Albany, NY

Western New York Red Earthenware Jars

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar 

Attributed to the Lorenzo Johnson Pottery in W. NY

The Decoration Imitates Stoneware Made During the Period

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: New York State Museum - Albany, NY

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar 

Attributed to the Lorenzo Johnson Pottery in W. NY

The Form is Similar to the Jar Above that was Made in Imitation of Stoneware

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: New York State Museum - Albany, NY

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

A 19th Century Red Earthenware Mug Owned by the Henry Sheldon Museum in Middlebury, Vermont

I have decided to continue the discussion tonight about the circa 1790-1830/40 red earthenware made in Vermont since there is so much, yet to be learned about this industry today. Vermont is well-known for its prolific nineteenth century stoneware production, a subject sought by many twentieth century museums and researchers, especially those who pursued the subject before 1950. However, a number of the red earthenware potters from this state were the innovators and trailblazers, who ultimately paved the path for the landmark stoneware industry. Like many of the potter's industries in New England, red earthenware was the predecessor to stoneware in Vermont.

This nineteenth century red earthenware mug was likely made in Vermont. It is owned today by the Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History in Middlebury, Vermont. According to the museum, "The mug was acquired in Vermont by Henry Sheldon (1821-1907), likely in the late-1800s or early-1900s and added to the museum's collection."

Interestingly, I could also easily see this object attributed to Maine today had it been found in Maine. But this is also worthy of a lesson with how attributions should almost always never be developed strictly on a glaze. If there's one potter or potter's business that could produce a colorful glaze, then why would it be assumed that others could not produce similar glazes. In fact, it was once said to me by a prominent Long Island collector, "Utilitarian potter's could produce whatever they wished - form, glaze, etc. Most of these individuals were skilled artisans in their craft."

Note: Here is a link that will provide a detailed history about the life of Henry Sheldon, and how the Sheldon Museum in Middlebury, Vermont materialized.

Red Earthenware Mug Found in Vermont

19th Century Red Earthenware Mug Likely Made in Vermont

Retains 19th Century History of Ownership in Vermont

Circa 1800-1840

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Henry Sheldon Museum - Middlebury, VT

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

Jonathan Fenton's Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Pottery in Dorset, Vermont

In the past month, I have posted a group of online articles on this website about the late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth century red earthenware potters in Vermont, and their connection to the popular industry in Essex County, Massachusetts. The history for a number of these early potters began in Essex County, where they likely trained before they relocated for opportunity away from coastal Massachusetts. There are even some documented cases, where some of these early potters later returned to Essex County in search of potter's supplies.

Jonathan Fenton (1766-1848), who's background originated in Connecticut, is most known today for the stoneware that he produced in Charlestown, Massachusetts in the 1790s, and Dorset, Vermont in the 1800s. But he also reportedly produced red earthenware when he first arrived in Vermont. Personally, I find it fascinating that Fenton expanded his career to include red earthenware production.

Charlestown was the location of an illustrious red earthenware industry before the American Revolution, which burned at the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775; whereas, it is not commonly known today that Charlestown's industry partially recovered in some capacity, and continued to produce red earthenware into the nineteenth century. It would be great to learn about any involvement Fenton may have had with this type of production, while he manufactured stoneware in Charlestown.

According to Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins (Early New England Potters and Their Wares), "From 1801-1835 Jonathan Fenton and his sons made (red) earthenware along with stoneware in Dorset.

After some investigation, we located the pottery site near the rushing stream that tumbles down the valley in Dorset Hollow. It may be described as being two hundred feet west of the first bridge as one drives up the Hollow road and about seventy-five feet in from the highway, on the left-hand side at the very top of an overgrown bank that slopes steeply to the river bed. On this spot we found many fragments of redware and stoneware."

Unfortunately, I have not been able to find any red earthenware attributed to Fenton's early-nineteenth century production in Dorset, although, I suspect that there must be examples in existence today. I would also not be surprised to learn that this aspect of his production appears similar to what was manufactured along coastal Massachusetts in the late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth centuries.

Nonetheless, I estimate that Fenton may have produced red earthenware for at least ten-years until he became a full-time stoneware potter. It has been reported that Fenton dug his clay for red earthenware production from the banks of the Mettowee River in Dorset. I also assume that much of the red earthenware was made for the local marketplace near the New York border in southwestern Vermont.

Note: I have included pictures of a red earthenware jug that was discovered a few years ago inside a home in New Hampshire. I have previously written about this jug hinting that it may have been made in central New Hampshire. However, I now suspect that there is a possibility that it may have been made by Jonathan Fenton in Dorset, Vermont since it closely resembles the stoneware jugs, which Fenton made in Charlestown, Massachusetts in the 1790s.

It is also worth noting that I have not seen anything that closely resembles this type of jug in the tens-of-thousands of red earthenware artifacts kept in the Charlestown Archaeology Collection at the Boston Archaeology Department in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. But I feel this jug has the potential to be an important piece of Vermont history in comparison to the type of stoneware jugs that Fenton is known for today.

Location of Jonathan Fenton's Red Earthenware Pottery in Vermont

 Jonathan Fenton Pottery Site Marker in Dorset, VT

Circa 1801-1810

Fenton Reportedly First Produced Red Earthenware When he Arrived in Vermont

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: The Historical Marker Database

The Site of Jonathan Fenton's Pottery in Dorset, VT

Circa 1801-1810

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: The Historical Marker Database

Red Earthenware Jug Recently Found in New Hampshire

 18th/19th Century Red Earthenware Jug
Recently Found Inside a Home in New Hampshire
Possibly Made in Dorset, VT- See Article Why this is Suggested
Stands 15" Tall
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Private New England Collection

 Another View of the Jug
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Private New England Collection

View of the Incised Decoration
Fenton Applied Similar Decoration on the Stoneware Jugs He Made in Charlestown, MA
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Private New England Collection

View of the Handle
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Private New England Collection

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

A Preview of Upcoming Feature Stories in 2018, Including a Story About the Moses Paige Pottery in Peabody, Massachusetts that will be Published Next Month in Antiques & the Arts Weekly

I wrote a feature story that ran in the January 2014 edition of the New England Antiques Journal, about the Charles A. Lawrence Pottery, which operated in Beverly, Massachusetts, circa 1866-1906. Later this year, another feature story I wrote should also be published about Lawrence's pottery - however, this story will focus on the creative, fashionable, and influential production that took place at this business after 1872.

I truly feel that Lawrence's production was some of the most dynamic red earthenware produced in New England in the nineteenth century. He embraced both utilitarian and decorative platforms, whereas the artware that his company produced was in some ways a trailblazing effort. These achievements may have encouraged similar efforts by a small group of potters elsewhere in New England, who later gained substantial fame in the aftermath of Lawrence's vision.

Nevertheless, a lesser known pottery was operated nearby in Peabody, Massachusetts by Moses Paige, circa 1876-1940s. The production from Paige's Pottery is not common knowledge today - in fact, much of the utilitarian production that took place at this company can be misrepresented for products made elsewhere and decades prior. However, production was also compelling at this company, where it was, in many ways, similar to what Lawrence manufactured in Beverly, especially with the type of artware that was produced.

I have little doubt that Lawrence and Paige were friendly up until Lawrence's death in 1906. Both potters operated their business in similar ways. The comparisons are uncanny - and peculiar, where operations at times seemed to resemble each other, and potters even traveled back-and-forth to work at both companies.

I have written a lengthy feature story about Paige's Pottery that will be published sometime next month in Antiques and the Arts Weekly. I will post the exact week as soon as I know the details. This article should be exciting since much of the information that will be published has never been documented before, which includes an incredible amount of information obtained by the Peabody Historical Society directly from Paige's Pottery when the company was still in operation.

In the meantime, I have posted two images of some of the remarkable slip-decorated utilitarian red earthenware produced in Beverly. These objects were donated by Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins (Early New England Potters and Their Wares) to the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Lawrence's work is represented at some museums in New England, such as Old Sturbridge Village and Historic New England. But it is also owned by national museums, like the Smithsonian, as well as Winterthur in Delaware and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Note: I have posted two pieces from the Charles A. Lawrence Pottery in Beverly, Massachusetts - the pitcher is considered rare, where there are only so many examples known today; however, the pot is even rarer. I am only aware of one other pot in this form that survives today, which is owned privately in a longtime collection in Essex County, Massachusetts.

Red Earthenware Made in Beverly, Mass.

 19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher

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

Circa 1866-1906

See Article for More Information

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

19th Century Red Earthenware Pot

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

Circa 1866-1906

See Article for More Information

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

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

The Remains of a Late-18th Century Red Earthenware Pan Recovered in Chimney Point, Vermont

I have written a group of articles this month about Moses Bradley's late-eighteenth century red earthenware production in Chimney Point, Vermont, as well as what he manufactured in West Woodstock, Vermont in the 1800s. Bradley's production is hardly recognized today despite a significant output, which lasted more-than 30 years.

This is the remains of a red earthenware pan that was recently recovered by archaeologists at the site of Bradley's circa 1790-1797 business in Chimney Point. Interestingly, the form, light clay color and interior glaze could easily be mistaken for production elsewhere in New England, especially the pans, which were manufactured throughout the nineteenth century in central and northern New England.

Note: Search this website for more information about Moses Bradley's red earthenware production in Vermont. I have posted three other articles in the past month.

Remains of Pan Recovered in Chimney Point, VT

Remains of a Late-18th Century Red Earthenware Pan

Recovered at the Site of Moses Bradley's Pottery in Chimney Point, VT

Circa 1790-1797

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Vermont State Historic Sites

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