Two Pieces of Red Earthenware Discovered in New Hampshire About Ten Years Ago

I went through a large group of old photos last week, and I found a bunch of pictures that I had forgotten about that showed objects that I once owned. These pieces have since been traded for other examples in my collection. Nevertheless, these are two of those objects, neither of which I am completely certain where they were made.

Red Earthenware Jug

As I recall, I purchased this nineteenth century red earthenware jug in southern New Hampshire about 2008. At the time, the form of the jug reminded me of objects that were manufactured in Essex County, Massachusetts, as well as southern and central New Hampshire in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. However, the glaze is not a color that I have ever seen on this type of jug before; whereas, this is a glaze color that I more often see from the industry in western New York after 1820.

19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Decorated with a Purplish Glaze

Likely Circa 1800-1850

Stands About 6 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

Red Earthenware Pitcher

This unusual formed red earthenware pitcher was discovered in a small collectible type shop about one decade ago in central New Hampshire. I do not believe I have ever seen this form before; although, I also suspect that it was made at one of the country potteries somewhere in New Hampshire in the 1800s.

The only comparable form that comes to mind is a refined straight-sided pitcher that resembles a mug, but with a pouring spout that was made at the industry in Bristol County, Massachusetts in the early-nineteenth century. But I do not believe there is any direct relationship, instead only a coincidence.

19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher Possibly Made in New Hampshire

Possibly Circa Mid-to-Late 19th Century

Stands About 6" Tall

See Article for More Information

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

19th Century Slip-Decorated Galena, Illinois Red Earthenware Jug that Sold Yesterday in Massachusetts

A large amount of American red earthenware (and some stoneware) sold yesterday at a Willis Henry auction in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Much of the pottery had sustained some type of damage, which explained why a lot of it had been grouped together in single lots. However, there were some interesting objects included in these lots, such as a small late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth century William Pecker Pottery pot from Merrimacport, Massachusetts, as well as a number of objects from central and northern New England.

The most popular lot, though was a group of five objects, which included a nineteenth-century slip-decorated red earthenware jug from Galena, Illinois that had been damaged on the handle. Although, similar jugs also from Galena, but in perfect condition have respectfully sold for $6,900, $8,050, among other results in recent years. This particular lot seemed like a fair price when it brought $2,760 including the buyer's premium.

Below I have posted three of the lots that I liked, but there were other lots that I also liked, as well.

Note: Here is the link to the online auction catalog from Willis Henry's sale yesterday in Massachusetts. The sale also included other examples of red earthenware and stoneware.

Lot No. 155

Lot of Red Earthenware from Various American Makers

(Far Right) 19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Attributed to Galena, IL

Circa Second Half of 19th Century

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Willis Henry Auctions

Lot No. 132

Lot of Red Earthenware Mostly from New England

(Front Middle) Small Red Earthenware Pot Attributed to Merrimacport, Mass.

Circa 1790-1820

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Willis Henry Auctions

Lot No. 158

Two 19th Century Northern New England Red Earthenware Jars

Circa 1820-1860

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Willis Henry Auctions

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

Another 19th Century Red Earthenware Bottle Likely Manufactured in New England

Yesterday, I wrote about a nineteenth century red earthenware bottle or possibly a decanter that may have been inspired from similar formed glass decanters produced in New England in the 1800s, such as those that were made in Keene, New Hampshire. But I also posted two links in the article, which redirected the reader to stories that I had written about other red earthenware objects copied after nineteenth century domestic glass forms, like salts and small plates.

Nevertheless, this nineteenth century New England red earthenware bottle (probably from coastal Massachusetts) is an object that has been known about in New England for a few decades, and it sold two years ago at Skinner in Lewis Scranton's onsite sale in Killingworth, Connecticut. It also sold very-well, achieving $6,500 - whereas, it now resides in a prominent private collection today.

The form of this bottle is slightly different than the bottle that I wrote about yesterday, seeing that this object was manufactured by the potter with a round footed base. However, I would not be surprised to learn that this piece was also potentially inspired after a bottle or decanter, as well.

Red Earthenware Bottle

Early-19th Century Red Earthenware Bottle

Probably Made in Eastern Massachusetts

Circa 1800-1850

Stands 7 1/2" Tall

Sold in Lewis Scranton's Collection in Killingworth, CT in May 2016

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Skinner, Inc.

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

19th Century Red Earthenware Bottle or Possibly Decanter Likely Made in New England

I have previously written about a red earthenware bottle on this website thought to have been made in northern New England, which appears to imitate an eighteenth century European onion bottle. But I have also written about other early glass forms that were also copied by American red earthenware potters during the period, such as molded salts and small dishes.

However, yesterday, I acquired the following nineteenth century red earthenware bottle or possibly even a decanter in a trade with a friend from Maine. Other than the elongated neck, it is thought that this red earthenware object imitates some of the blown-molded glass decanters manufactured in New England in the 1800s, like the example that I have posted below that was made in Keene, New Hampshire, circa 1825-1835.

It is not uncommon today to find nineteenth century potters occasionally imitated other brands in the marketplace, like glass products and imported ceramics. For example, I wrote about a circa 1795 red earthenware tea canister last weekend, which was made in Kentucky and was a known English form very-rarely found with American red earthenware production. Potters could have produced whatever they wished, but typically they only manufactured what would sell unless it was for personal use.

I believe this red earthenware bottle probably dates from the circa 1820-1850 period, and it was very possibly made in either Massachusetts or northern New England. But there are aspects about it that with more evidence could potentially suggest a central New Hampshire attribution.

Note: Click on the two links in the first paragraph of this article to see some more red earthenware objects imitating glassware from the period. Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins also illustrated a nineteenth century black-glazed red earthenware bottle in figure 66B in 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares' that she attributed to the Chesham region in southwestern New Hamsphire - this bottle is now owned by the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

Red Earthenware Bottle or Possibly Decanter

19th Century Red Earthenware Bottle that May Imitate a Glass Decanter

Likely Made in New England

Possibly Made in Massachusetts or Northern New England

Circa 1820-1850

Stands 9" Tall

(Bottom Left) 19th Century Blown-Molded Glass Decanter Attributed to Keene, NH

Blown-Molded GIII-16 Pint Decanter

Circa 1825-1835

Stands 6 3/4"

But These Type of  Decanters were Made in Larger Forms, As Well

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Jeffrey S. Evans and Associates - Mount Crawford, VA

Another View of the Bottle

See Article for More Information

View of the Interior

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View of the Base

See Article for More Information

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

An 18th Century Slip-Decorated Sherd Recovered at the Lewis Bean Site in York, Maine

According to Salem State University in Salem, Massachusetts, "In 1997 and 1998, Archaeological Research Consultants, Inc. of Ellsworth, Maine, carried out phase one and phase two excavations at the Lewis Bean (or Bane) Site in York, Maine, prior to construction of a new Hannaford Supermarket."

In 1909, the book, 'Genealogical and Family History of the State of Maine: Volume 1' was published,' Lewis Bane who came to Boston about 1670, in denominated the ancestor of the principal Maine branches of the New England Beans. It is said he died in Boston, leaving a widow and three sons who were afterward settled in York, Maine. The sons were named Lewis, Ebenezer and Joseph. 

The eldest of the sons, Captain Lewis Bean (or Bane) was born in 1671, and died in York, Maine on June 25, 1721. No records have been found which exactly settle the date of the original Lewis Bane's immigration or the exact place where he landed. 

A large number of early settlers of York were Scotch, and came direct from the old country. A section of York was locally known as Scotland, and the name still clings to it. 

The son of Lewis, in a legal document signed by him speaks of his father as 'Lewis Bane, Gent., formerly of Scotland,' and a family record of one of the granddaughters, Mary Bean, who married Hugh Barbour, of Falmouth, says that she was an ardent Stuart sympathizer, having received that feeling from her father's teachings. 

March 6, 1668, Lewis Bane was granted a 'lott of land' by the selectmen of York for a homestead. His name was indifferently spelled Bane and Bean in the early records, but by the time of the second generation the spelling settled into Bean."

The seventeenth and eighteenth century ceramics recovered at the Lewis Bean Site in York largely involved imported ceramics, such as tin-enameled earthenware, English salt-glazed stoneware, Chinese export porcelain, English combware and slipware, German stoneware and English salt-glazed scratch-blue stoneware. However, there were reportedly some domestic red earthenware objects recovered, as well.

I have previously documented on this website and in feature stories that I have written in recent years for the New England Antiques Journal about red earthenware exported from the colonial industry in Charlestown, Massachusetts to coastal areas throughout New England. The archaeological remains include artifacts recovered at locations around York in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, as well as Berwick, Maine. In fact, it is documented today in John Parker's circa 1747-1761 potter's daybook at the Baker Library at Harvard University that Charlestown red earthenware was exported to Portsmouth for distribution in the 1740s and 1750s - and the distance between Portsmouth and York is only seven miles with many waterways connecting the two communities.

The manner of the slip on this single sherd does somewhat resemble some of the stamped slip-decorations, which were manufactured at the Parker Pottery in Charlestown before 1755. It also resembles the slip on Charlestown-ware recovered in colonial contexts in Portsmouth and Berwick; although, I can not guarantee that is where this sherd is from, but there are definitely similarities. I feel that more sherds still need to be analyzed to give an accurate interpretation. But this type of stamped arched decoration is thought to have been unique to Charlestown when compared to production elsewhere in New England.

Note: Here are two links to two features stories about Charlestown, Massachusetts red earthenware and a related enterprise, which I have written in recent years for the New England Antiques Journal.

1) A Charlestown Sugar Bowl: The Rediscovery of a Redware Masterpiece
2) A Pioneering Potter: Samuel Marshall of Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Sherd Recovered at the Lewis Bean Site in York, ME

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Sherd Recovered in York, ME

Uncovered by Archaeologists at the Lewis Bean Site Within a Colonial 18th Century Context

Archaeologists Thought this Sherd was Made in New England

Very Possibly from the Potter's Industry in Charlestown, Mass.

The Style of the Slip Does Resemble Some of the Slip Applied on the Pots Below

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Salem State University

Red Earthenware from Charlestown, Mass.

Mid-18th Century Objects Made in Charlestown, Mass.

The Style of Some of the Slip Does Resemble the Slip Applied on the Sherd Above

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Sam Herrup and Boston Archaeology Department 

Mid-18th Century Objects Made in Charlestown, Mass.

The Style of Some of the Slip Does Resemble the Slip Applied on the Sherd Above

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Sam Herrup and Boston Archaeology Department 

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

Red Earthenware Oil Lamps Produced at the Merrimac Pottery Company in Newburyport, Massachusetts

A longtime collector of decorative and household objects made at the Merrimac Pottery Company in Newburyport, Massachusetts, circa 1897-1908, told me a few years ago that he had never seen pottery from this business produced with the intent to fit an oil lamp insert. That comment was based on such an object that sat before us on a table outside a Federal period home at a John McInnis onsite auction in Newburyport. It also went onto sell for more than $7,100 (including buyer's premium).

The green-glazed red earthenware base and brass lamp insert were original - and, actually made and assembled when the company was initially known as the 'Merrimac Ceramic Company,' circa 1897-1901. We were able to determine that information as a result of an original paper label that was still adhered to the base (see pictures below). But the company's owner, Thomas Nickerson changed the name to the 'Merrimac Pottery Company' in 1902 for a variety of reasons, which included what he viewed was a more marketable brand name.

Nickerson's company was regularly printed in 'The Pottery and Glass Salesman,' an annual listing of manufacturers around the world published in New York. The company's explanation was initially described in 1897 as "a manufacturer of flower pots that soon developed into one of very graceful garden pieces." By 1902, the company was advertising household decorative pottery with spectacular glazes that appeared more as artware.

While I stood there that mild Friday afternoon in November and studied the lamp, I quickly realized that I had seen this exact form before from the Merrimac Pottery Company. It was in March of 2014 when Thomaston Place Auction Galleries sold the contents of a Kennebunkport, Maine estate at their auction gallery in Thomaston, Maine. They identified the pot as a product from the Merrimac Pottery Company based on an impressed stamp that was partially filled with glaze on the base (see pictures below); however, there was no mention of a lamp insert. In fact, the lamp insert could have remained in the estate, and mistaken for a lost lamp part. But seeing this all unfold in memory as I stood their at the auction preview made me wonder how much of this production survives from this business today.

The use of these type of objects could be perceived as a planter or vase, especially if the insert was lost or thrown away years ago. Although it is even more fascinating to recognize that some of these Newburyport lamps are even known today made with glass shades from Tiffany and Company. Some are even electrified, but I suspect that aspect of the production happened outside of Nickerson's company.

I had always assumed that Tiffany had contracted with Nickerson, and the lamps were then assembled and sold through Tiffany's stores. But that does not appear to be entirely the case since the lamp that sold at John McInnis' auction would have likely only required a simple glass shade common for the period. This type of shade would have been easy for most homeowners to purchase in their local marketplace, especially in a community like Newburyport around 1900.

Interestingly, it seems the lamp that sold that day in Newburyport was more-than likely an object which was also manufactured, assembled and sold in Newburyport, since it also retained a local history of ownership dating back to the early-1900s. The lamp insert was a perfect fit, which really maintains that the pottery base was made to fit around the insert.

Nevertheless, everytime I now look at a piece of Merrimac Pottery, I curiously wonder if that particular object could have been used as a lamp, and whether the lamp insert had been lost, damaged or thrown away. Of course not every object appears this way since many forms were obviously used as planters, vases, etc. But there are some questionable forms that are compelling, and I will try and post one of those objects from my private collection later this week.

Note: Lamps were not an anomaly at the Merrimac Pottery Company in Newburyport, Massachusetts - companies such as Grueby Faience and Chelsea Keramic Art Works, among other businesses were also known for this type of production in the late-nineteenth and twentieth centuries. There is even a company with an unknown origin in America, the Frey Pottery that is also known to have produced electrified lamps during the period.

Lamp Sold in Newburyport, Mass.

 Late-19th or Early-20th Century Merrimac Ceramic Company Pot with Oil Lamp Insert

Made in Newburyport, Mass.

Marked with Merrimac Ceramic Company Paper Label

Retains History of Ownership in Newburyport, Mass.

Circa 1897-1901

Measures 8 1/2" by 12"

The Form is the Same as the Pot Pictured Below

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: John McInnis Auctions - Amesbury, Mass.

View of the Lamp Base and the Oil Lamp Insert

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: John McInnis Auctions - Amesbury, Mass.

 View of the Base and the Paper Label

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 Photo Courtesy: John McInnis Auctions - Amesbury, Mass.

View of the Paper Label

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: John McInnis Auctions - Amesbury, Mass.

Jar (or Lamp Base) Sold in Thomaston, ME

Late-19th or Early-20th Century Merrimac Pottery Company Pot

Possibly Made When Company was Called the Merrimac Ceramic Company

The Form is the Same as the Lamp Base Pictured Above

It's Possible that the Lamp Insert was Lost

Made in Newburyport, Mass.

Circa 1897-1908

Measures 8 1/2" by 12"

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Thomaston Place Auction Galleries - Thomaston, ME 

 View of the Interior

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Thomaston Place Auction Galleries - Thomaston, ME 

 View of the Base

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Thomaston Place Auction Galleries - Thomaston, ME 

View of the Impressed Merrimac Mark

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Thomaston Place Auction Galleries - Thomaston, ME 

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

A Red Earthenware Jar Reportedly Discovered in Lexington, Kentucky

I commented last weekend about how I felt the eighteenth and nineteenth century red earthenware manufactured in Kentucky was appealing since the state is bordered by both the southern and midwestern regions. I had written about a circa 1795 red earthenware tea canister made by Philip Anthony, a potter who began his career in Bardstown, Kentucky, but later relocated to produce red earthenware in Nashville, Tennessee. As a result, Kentucky's red earthenware industry likely combined influences from two separate regions in America, especially from states with major red earthenware (and stoneware) industries, such as Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia.

For example, author, Randolph Paul Runyon wrote about some of the red earthenware production that took place in Lexington, Kentucky in a newly published book, 'The Mentelles: Mary Todd Lincoln, Henry Clay, and the Immigrant Family Who Educated Antebellum Kentucky.' "(Augustus) Waldemarde Mentelle (1769-1846) advertised earthenware for sale on May 20, 1806, which was of his own manufacture. Archaeologist, Anne Tobbe Bader wrote that 'early redware potteries are known to have been located in Lexington,' including that of Ward [sic] Mentelle, who came to Kentucky from Gallipolis,Ohio, and produced redware as early as the late-1790s."

Mentelle's life is a fascinating story, which was briefly captioned in his obituary published in the July 1, 1846 issue of the 'Lexington Observer and Reporter:' "At his residence near Lexington, on Friday the 26th, Waldemarde Mentelle, in the 77th year of his age, after a long and painful illness, which he bore with unexampled fortitude. Born in Paris, he left France with his wife in the year 1789, and settled in Gallipolis, on the Ohio River, from where he moved to Lexington in the year 1798, in which place, or its neighborhood, he continued to reside until his death.

The French Revolution occasioned him to leave France, and to separate himself from his father, who was Geographer to the King (Louis XVI). During his long abode in Lexington and its vicinity, by his uniformly correct deportment, by his urbanity, so characteristic of his nation, and by his unblemished integrity, he conciliated the esteem and respect of all who knew him. He died, leaving many friends to lament the event, and it is believed without a single enemy. And his deeply affected wife and children, to whom he was ever dearly and devotedly attached, have, in their grief and great loss, the undivided sympathies of the whole community."

Mentelle was consumed with a number of business affairs and projects outside of just pottery production in Lexington, but his involvement with the potter's trade was significant. In 1882, William Henry Perrin wrote in the 'History of Fayette County, Kentucky:' "John Carty, Sr. (1764-1845) who was born in New Jersey, and Waldemarde Mentelle, Sr., early introduced into Kentucky the manufacture of earthenware, which in that day of slab tables, pewter plates, and horn cups, was welcomed with gratitude by the pioneers, and soon became an important branch of trade."

Nevertheless, the following object is a red earthenware jar that was sold by Case Antiques in Nashville, Tennessee in May 2007. Interestingly, this jar had reportedly been discovered in Lexington, Kentucky; whereas, it was simply described by the auction house as a "southern piece of redware." However, I would not be surprised to learn that this is an object made in Kentucky in the early-1800s.

For instance, the jar is decorated with a mottled lead-and-manganese glaze, which is a style of glaze that I recently wrote about recovered in abundance on red earthenware sherds at the site of Thomas Champ's (1728-1808) home in north-central Kentucky. The similar glazed sherds are also thought to have been locally made. Comparatively, the rim and handles on this jar also remind me of red earthenware that was produced in southwestern Virginia and east Tennessee in the 1800s, but not directly related. In fact, this jar very possibly predates some of the production from those areas by a few decades.

Note: Yesterday, I wrote about the archaeology of the circa 1803-1837 Conrad Pottery in Jeffersontown, Kentucky, which is located about 68 miles east of Lexington. I also want to mention again that I could easily see Kentucky-made red earthenware mistaken for production from eastern states depending on where any given object is discovered today.

Red Earthenware Jar Reportedly Found in Lexington, KY

Red Earthenware Jar Reportedly Found in Lexington, KY

Possibly Also Made in Kentucky

Circa Late-18th to Early-to-Mid-19th Century

Stands 9 7/8" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Case Antiques - Nashville, TN

View of One Handle

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Photo Courtesy: Case Antiques - Nashville, TN

View of the Other Handle

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Case Antiques - Nashville, TN 

View of the Base

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Case Antiques - Nashville, TN

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