Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Plate Owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City

I viewed this red earthenware plate last summer when I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. It is a spectacular example of slip-decoration, which is attributed to Philadelphia. The museum suggests a circa 1800-1820 manufacture period. But some of the sherds that I previously posted today recovered by Chris Rowell from privies in Philadelphia may instead suggest this plate dates from the 1700s.

The sherds that I included in this article demonstrate a comparable style of slip-decoration - whereas, they were uncovered from a circa 1750s brick-lined privy at 118 Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia. The MET's plate may not have been produced as early as 1750, but I suspect it probably dates from the eighteenth century more so than the circa 1800-1820 period.

This plate is really a remarkable survivor - it was gifted to the museum in 1933 by Mrs. Robert W. de Forest. The museum owns a large collection of objects from the Forests, such as chalkware, architectural, ceramics, iron, furniture, accessories and tin to name a few. Although, this plate is certainly among the highlights of the collection.

Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Plate Attributed to Philadelphia

(Bottom) Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Plate Attributed to Philadelphia

Very-Likely 18th Century in Origin

Slip is Similar to the Slip Found on the Sherds Posted Below

Measures 15 3/4"

Gifted to the Museum in 1933 by Mrs. Robert W. de Forest

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Recovered in Philadelphia

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Dish Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1750s Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 118 Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Dish Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1750s Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 118 Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

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

Artifacts Recovered from a Circa 1740s-1780s Privy in Philadelphia

Locally-made eighteenth century artifacts recovered from privies at the site of the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia (located in the heart of the oldest part of Philadelphia) have been a source of important discoveries in recent years. According to Philadelphia Magazine, "Before construction began for the museum, archaeologists from John Milner Associates (which is now named Commonwealth Heritage Group) conducted field work from July through October 2014, and briefly again in the springs of 2015 and 2016.

The team excavated a well and 12 brick-lined pre-American Revolution privies, and found more than 87,000 Colonial artifacts from the tiny rowhouses that once lined the site. The privies and well were sealed when newer houses were built on the site in the nineteenth century."

The first object that I have posted in this article today was recovered by Chris Rowell, and is related to a group of Colonial abstract slip-decorated red earthenware dishes that were uncovered at the site of the Museum of the American Revolution. A few months ago, these dishes, as well pomegranate and tulip decorated red earthenware chargers were on display at the annual Ceramics and Glass Fair in New York City. The previously undocumented wares were reportedly made by French and German immigrant potters in Philadelphia before the American Revolution. Some of these objects were also illustrated in an interview with Ceramics in America editor, Rob Hunter for the November 2017 issue of the New England Antiques Journal.

The dish that I posted was recovered about one-half mile from the Museum of the American Revolution at 232 Race Street from a circa 1740s-1780s privy. This object is also exactly like the abstract dishes that were on display this past winter in New York City.

The remaining objects were also recovered within the same privy context by Chris Rowell - and they demonstrate the area's great interest with slipware and black-glazed red earthenware during the period that surrounded the American Revolution.

Red Earthenware Dishes and Plates

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Dish Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1740s-1780s Privy

The Privy was Located at 232 Race Street in Philadelphia

Related Artifacts Were on Display this Year at the Annual Ceramics and Glass Fair in NYC

Thought to Have Been Made by an Immigrant French Potter in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Plate Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1740s-1780s Privy

The Privy was Located at 232 Race Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Plate Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1740s-1780s Privy

The Privy was Located at 232 Race Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

Red Earthenware Bowls and Pans

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1740s-1780s Privy

The Privy was Located at 232 Race Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1740s-1780s Privy

The Privy was Located at 232 Race Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1740s-1780s Privy

The Privy was Located at 232 Race Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1740s-1780s Privy

The Privy was Located at 232 Race Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

Red Earthenware Pitcher

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Pitcher Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1740s-1780s Privy

The Privy was Located at 232 Race Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

Black-Glazed Red Earthenware

18th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Colander Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1740s-1780s Privy

The Privy was Located at 232 Race Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Bowl Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1740s-1780s Privy

The Privy was Located at 232 Race Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Pitcher Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1740s-1780s Privy

The Privy was Located at 232 Race Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Pitcher Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1740s-1780s Privy

The Privy was Located at 232 Race Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Chamber Pot Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1740s-1780s Privy

The Privy was Located at 232 Race Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Chamber Pot Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1740s-1780s Privy

The Privy was Located at 232 Race Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Chamber Pot Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1740s-1780s Privy

The Privy was Located at 232 Race Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

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

Colonial Red Earthenware Recovered from a Circa 1750s Brick-Lined Privy in Philadelphia

Locally-made eighteenth century artifacts recovered from privies at the site of the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia (located in the heart of the oldest part of Philadelphia) have been a source of important discoveries in recent years. According to Philadelphia Magazine, "Before construction began for the museum, archaeologists from John Milner Associates (which is now named Commonwealth Heritage Group) conducted field work from July through October 2014, and briefly again in the springs of 2015 and 2016.

The team excavated a well and 12 brick-lined pre-American Revolution privies, and found more than 87,000 Colonial artifacts from the tiny rowhouses that once lined the site. The privies and well were sealed when newer houses were built on the site in the nineteenth century."

Nevertheless, privies are an important source for preserving early artifacts all over America, especially locations where urban development has affected the original landscape. Over the next few days, I plan to post a number of objects recovered by Chris Rowell from various eighteenth century privies in Philadelphia, most of which are from a Colonial context. Many of the artifacts are also similar to what archaeologists recovered at the site of the Museum of the American Revolution.

With that said, all of the following red earthenware artifacts were recovered from a circa 1750s brick-lined privy at 118 Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia. It should also be noted that Cuthbert Street is located about one-half-mile from the Museum of the American Revolution.

The slipware from this mid-eighteenth century privy is remarkable, and the objects include plates and bowls. But the first plate I posted in this article is absolutely incredible and important; whereas, the decoration on this sgraffito plate appears to represent the Tree of Life, which is a symbol for life, immortality, health, growth and strength.

Red Earthenware Dishes and Plates

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Sgraffito Plate Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1750s Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 118 Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Dish Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1750s Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 118 Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Plate Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1750s Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 118 Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Plate Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1750s Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 118 Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

Red Earthenware Pans and Bowls

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1750s Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 118 Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1750s Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 118 Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1750s Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 118 Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1750s Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 118 Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1750s Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 118 Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

Black-Glazed Red Earthenware

18th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Porringer Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1750s Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 118 Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

18th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Jug Attributed to Philadelphia

Recovered from a Circa 1750s Brick-Lined Privy

The Privy was Located at 118 Cuthbert Street in Philadelphia

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Rowell

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

A Rare 19th Century Slip-Script Red Earthenware Plate Embellished "New York City"

The article I posted earlier today consisted of eighteenth and nineteenth century red earthenware objects made in Norwalk, Connecticut based on examples owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the Wilton, Connecticut Historical Society. I had mentioned that I visited the MET last summer, where I was fortunate to view some of the Norwalk pieces owned by the museum.

With that said, I could not pass up the opportunity to examine and share this significant piece of slip-script also owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This plate is embellished with the words "New York City." In my opinion, this is an absolutely remarkable piece of pottery.

I don't want to get into too much detail about New York City today since I have written a feature story about seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth century red earthenware manufactured and recovered throughout the city that should be published later this year. However, it is known that a ton of pottery was shipped to the city in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Stoneware was a major industry in New York City, but there was still a huge demand for red earthenware. That demand was for a period partially filled by local potters, but the demand eventually outgrew the local supply, and potters located in New Jersey, Long Island, Connecticut, among other places took advantage of this opportunity. This plate may also serve as further proof of the connection that the industry in Norwalk is known to have had with New York City in the nineteenth century.

This plate is attributed to the Asa Smith Pottery in Norwalk, circa 1825, and it may have been decorated by Henry Chichester who was considered a master calligrapher at the pottery.

"New York City" Red Earthenware Plate

19th Century Slip-Script Red Earthenware Plate Adorned with the Words "New York City"

Attributed to the Asa Smith Pottery in Norwalk, CT

Possibly Decorated by Henry Chichester

Circa 1825

Measures 13 1/3" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art

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

Norwalk, Connecticut Red Earthenware Owned by the Wilton, Connecticut Historical Society and the Metropolitan Museum of Art

According to the Wilton, Connecticut Historical Society, "A spectacular new show is set to debut the first weekend in June called Objects of Desire. It's all about great objects; objects with stories to tell; objects that tell your story. About twenty-five select dealers will offer objects ranging from antique to mid-century to contemporary. The show will feature a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind garden accents, fine furniture, accessories, found objects, and art beautifully presented on the verdant grounds of the Wilton Historical Society."

I learned about this new event a few weeks ago at the antique shows in Brimfield, Massachusetts, and it reminded me about the wonderful collection of nineteenth century red earthenware and stoneware from Norwalk, Connecticut that is owned by the Wilton Historical Society (located only a few miles from Norwalk). The museum's collection was also a subject in a feature story written for the June 2008 issue of the New England Antiques Journal.

I'm not sure if the pottery will be available for viewing, but if it is, then it is definitely worth checking out while at the show. The museum has an entire room devoted to displaying utilitarian pottery made in Norwalk. The stoneware includes a variety of cobalt decorated forms, and the red earthenware consists of jugs, jars, slip-decorated plates and plates adorned in slip-script. Some of the slip-script plates read, "Apple Pie," "Clams and Oysters," "Cheap Ware," "Money Wanted," "Mary's Dish" and "Lafayette."

Also according to the Wilton Historical Society, "Henry Chichester of the Asa Edward Smith (1798-1880) and Sons Pottery in Norwalk was a nineteenth century master calligrapher, and was responsible for many of the most distinctive decorations."

Last summer, I wrote about a rare slip-decorated red earthenware dish that I had just acquired at an auction in New Hampshire, which was likely made in Norwalk, and I was also fortunate last year to view some of the Norwalk objects that are owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

These are two of the Norwalk pieces owned by the MET - the first is a slip-script plate embellished with the word "Lafayette," and very-similar to an object owned by the Wilton Historical Society. It is attributed to the Asa Smith Pottery and likely decorated by Henry Chichester. The second object is a remarkable rare multi-color slip-decorated dish attributed to Absalom Day (1770-1843) in Norwalk. Both of these objects were gifted to the museum in 1933 by Mrs. Robert W. de Forest.

I have also posted a slip-decorated plate owned by the Wilton Historical Society. This plate is also attributed to the Asa Smith Pottery, and may have been decorated by Chichester, as well.

Note: For more information about the red earthenware and stoneware produced in Norwalk, Connecticut, I suggest the book written by Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins, 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares,' as well as the book, 'Norwalk Potteries' written by Andrew and Kate Winton.

Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware from Norwalk, CT

19th Century Slip-Scrip Red Earthenware Dish Adorned with the Word "Lafayette"

Attributed to the A.S. and Son Pottery in Norwalk, CT

Likely Decorated by Henry Chichester

Circa 1825

Measures 13 1/4" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art 

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Dish

Attributed to Absalom Day in Norwalk, CT

Circa 1794-1800

Measures 16 1/2" Long

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art

19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Dish

Attributed to the A.S. and Son Pottery in Norwalk, CT

Possibly Decorated by Henry Chichester

Circa 1825

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Wilton, CT Historical Society

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

A Sensational Red Earthenware Bowl Owned by the Litchfield, Connecticut Historical Society

An exceptional red earthenware bowl was an unexpected surprise recently while I viewed the online collection of pottery owned by the Litchfield, Connecticut Historical Society. This was definitely an unpredictable object since the vast majority of the museum's red earthenware collection was made in Connecticut.

There was not much information provided about this bowl other than the fact it was acquired by the museum almost 50 years ago. The museum suggests an American nineteenth century origin; although, I suspect it may have actually materialized sometime in the eighteenth century.

The decoration on this bowl is wonderful revealing multiple colors of slip in various designs that even include tulips. The easy answer would be to say this bowl was made in Pennsylvania, where this type of decoration was prominent, especially in the eastern part of the state in the 1700s and early-1800s.

However, I posted an article a few weeks ago, which showed a late-eighteenth century sgraffito red earthenware plate that was manufactured by Phillip Durell in Elizabethtown, New Jersey on October 27, 1793. To some degree, this type of production may have also taken place at a pottery operated by Jonathan Durell in New York City in the eighteenth and early-nineteenth centuries, where he advertised in 1773 wares that were similar to what was produced in Philadelphia. An Essex County, Massachusetts trained potter, Joseph Wilson also advertised a similar type of production in Providence, Rhode Island in 1767. Wilson is thought to have produced Philadelphia-style pottery in Dedham, Massachusetts in the mid-1760s.

It should also be noted that the decoration found on this bowl is very-similar to sherds recovered before 1950 by Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins in Quincy, Massachusetts. Watkins wrote about these sherds in 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares.' She felt they may have been made in the 1750s at a Colonial German settlement in Quincy known as Germantown.

I wrote about the Germantown sherds last year after studying the artifacts at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. It was fascinating to see these objects since they were not illustrated in 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares.'

Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl

18th/19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl

Very-Possibly 18th Century in Origin

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Litchfield, CT Historical Society

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

Early-18th Century Spanish Storage Jars Recovered from the Wreck of the San Jose in the Caribbean

I found it rather interesting this morning while editing a group of graphics for WBZ CBS Boston's morning show, to learn that I own a piece of pottery that is nearly identical to a group of jars that were just recovered from the wreck of the San Jose, a Spanish galleon ship which sunk in the Caribbean in 1708. The remains of this shipwreck were just recently identified thanks to analysis of the ship's distinctive cannons that were still intact. The ship also carried gold and silver reportedly worth about 17 billion dollars today. The discovery of the San Jose was also a feature story today on CBS This Morning.

However, a collection of early-eighteenth century Iberian Spanish storage jars were also recovered; the remains of some of these objects can be seen in the images that I have posted below. I would be interested to learn if any of the contents that were inside these jars had survived.

The shape and size of these objects also appear to match a jar I discovered in November 2016 at an onsite sale in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Most of the objects that were removed from this Federal Period home retained a nineteenth century history of ownership with the house; whereas, I have always assumed the jar I found was shipped to Newburyport in the 1700s.

Interestingly, very-similar jars have also been recovered from the Piscataqua River between Kittery, Maine and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. These jars have also been described as early-eighteenth century and Spanish in origin.

Note: Here is a link to an eighteenth or nineteenth century Spanish storage jar that I discovered a few years ago at a flea market that matches a storage jar that was recently recovered by archaeologists from a nineteenth-century privy on the property of the Paul Revere House in Boston. I was told by the dealer at the flea market that he had just found the jar in an old house in Amesbury, Massachusetts.

Spanish Storage Jars Recovered from the San Jose Wreck in the Carribean

 Early-18th Century Spanish Earthenware Storage Jars

Recovered from the Wreck of the San Jose in the Caribbean

The Wreck Happened in 1708, Which Dates these Objects

Similar Jars have Also Been Found in Newburyport, Mass. and Portsmouth, NH

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Another Look at the Spanish Jars

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Spanish Storage Jar Found in Newburyport, Mass.

Early-18th Century Painted Spanish Storage Jar Found in Newburyport, Mass.

The Paint is Not Original

Found in a Federal Period House in Newburyport, Mass. in November 2016

Form is Very-Similar to the Jars Recovered from the Wreck of the San Jose in the Carribean

Stands 22" Tall

See Article for More Information

 Another View of the Jar

See Article for More Information

 Another View of the Jar

See Article for More Information

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