Bristol County Lead Glazed Red Earthenware Jar Sold on eBay from South Dartmouth, Massachusetts

I do not typically post auction results unless the price is helpful in telling the story, which I think is the case with this late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth century lead glazed red earthenware jar that just sold on eBay. This beautifully glazed jar was manufactured at the industry in Bristol County in southeastern Massachusetts.

However, at some point this jar sustained some serious damage, as illustrated in the following group of pictures. But this damage should not discourage someone from seeing the beauty and history that this jar represents; although, based on what I see in the pictures, it appears that this object may have been damaged so severely that it might have been in a few different pieces.

Nevertheless, I would have no problem owning this jar; it measures a nice size, standing just under ten-inches tall. The jar was also being sold near New Bedford in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, which is not far from where it was originally made, and a number of the wares made in Bristol County were apparently shipped to New Bedford in the period.

I had noticed this jar last week, but decided not to bid since I already own a few pieces just like it in better condition. But I was very surprised when I logged onto eBay yesterday, in order to check the auction result, and see that it sold for just $14.50. For that price, someone won a nice example of Bristol County pottery that could probably be professionally repaired.

I would also like to add that I do not seek out pottery based on condition; if that my were my intent then it would be rather boring, seeing that most eighteenth and nineteenth century red earthenware has not survived in mint condition. Plus there are a number of one-of-a-kind type pieces today that are the only known survivor, and it should be an honor to own such an object no matter its condition. With that said, if domestic red earthenware is an interest, then I would suggest seeing past an object for its flaws, and instead recognize its rarity, history and aesthetic appear.

Note: For more information about the wares made in Bristol County, I recommend a story I wrote for the June 2018 issue of Maine Antique Digest, titled, The Pottery Industry in Southeastern Massachusetts.

Southeastern Massachusetts Lead Glazed Red Earthenware Jar

 Late-18th or Early-19th Century Lead Glazed Red Earthenware Jar

Attributed to Bristol County in Southeastern Mass.

Stands 9 3/4" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: eBay

 Another View of the Jar

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: eBay

 Another View of the Jar

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: eBay

 Another View of the Jar

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: eBay

 Another View of the Jar

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: eBay

 Another View of the Jar

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: eBay

 View of the Interior

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: eBay

View of the Base

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: eBay

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

Abner S. Wight's Important Lead Glazed Red Earthenware Butter Churn Made in Marlborough, New Hampshire in 1847

Abner Smith Wight (1822-1905), a nineteenth century potter born in Dublin, New Hampshire, and  later employed in central Massachusetts, has been a subject of my research for the past few years. I have written a feature story about him that I hope to have published sometime in the next year or so, which highlights his production in Chesham Village in Marlborough, New Hampshire, as well as West Sterling, Massachusetts and Keene, New Hampshire. 

Abner learned the potters craft from his father, John Wight (1791-1874) who was previously employed in Jaffrey, New Hampshire before he relocated to Dublin. According to the book, History of the Town of Marlborough: Cheshire County, New Hampshire, published in 1881, "In the spring of 1845, Captain John Wight, erected what has since been known as the "Old Pottery" on the Dublin Road. He was succeeded by his son Abner who did a good business there for several years." Afterwards, Abner relocated to West Sterling, where he remained until the 1860s. 

This lead glazed red earthenware butter churn may be the most significant of Wight's known production today from New Hampshire, and was previously owned by Falmouth, Massachusetts antiques dealers, Hilary and Paulette Nolan. 

Inscribed around the churn is the information, "ABNER S. WIGHT EARTHENWARE MANUFACTURER MARLBORO, N.H. JUNE 23, 1847."

It appears that perhaps the date inscribed on this churn may have been about the time that Abner succeeded his father at the business in Marlborough, and this object may have been a commemorative piece celebrating that event. It may have also served as a display piece demonstrating the type of wares that were made at the Wight pottery in Chesham Village.

I would also like to add that Chesham is a term used in attribution today, but it may not be widely known what the term means. Chesham Village was a section of Dublin and Marlborough where a group of potters were employed in the nineteenth century, also commonly known back then as "Pottersville." Not only did this village employee a group of potters, but there were multiple businesses that produced similar types of lead glazed red earthenware. Much of the production was sold locally, and there may have even been a period when this area could have been viewed as a red earthenware industry. From my experience, I have found that some of the wares made in Chesham Village can be misinterpreted for production from elsewhere in New England today.

Abner S. Wight Lead Glazed Red Earthenware Butter Churn

19th Century Lead Glazed Red Earthenware Churn

Made by Abner S. Wight in Marlborough, NH

"ABNER S. WIGHT EARTHENWARE MANUFACTURER MARLBORO, N.H. JUNE 23, 1847"

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private Midwest Collection

View of Wight's Inscribed Name

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private Midwest Collection

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

An Early West Virginia Pottery Published by Dr. Walter Hough Through the Smithsonian Institute in 1901

Last year, I posted a few stories about Dr. Walter Hough (1859-1935), a native of Morgantown, West Virginia and museum specialist at the Smithsonian Institute, who is largely responsible for much of the information known about lead glazed red earthenware and stoneware production in Morgantown in the late-eighteenth and nineteenth century. During his career, Dr. Hough was able to acquire a variety of objects and potters tools from this industry, many of which came directly from the potter's families. These artifacts have since been published in a variety of sources, including Ceramics in America. But I highly recommend anyone reading this story to go out and try to find a copy of when all of this material was originally published by Dr. Hough in 1901, through the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.

The title of this publication is An Early West Virginia Pottery, and the information found within it is just as relevant today as it was in 1901; although, the report was printed as part of a larger publication by the museum.

I also consider this report to be one of the earliest publications in America that focuses solely on the scholarship of domestic pottery production. Most of the published information about potters that predates 1901 was included in historical accounts of towns, cities, counties and regions throughout America.

An Early West Virginia Pottery also illustrates every artifact and object that Dr. Hough acquired for the Smithsonian in the nineteenth century, which includes a large collection of potters tools, all of which were also published in an article written for the 2004 edition of Ceramics in America, The Potters and Potteries of Morgan's Town, Virginia: The Earthenware Years, 1796-1854.

An Early West Virginia Pottery by Dr. Walter Hough

An Early West Virginia Pottery by Dr. Walter Hough

Published by the Smithsonian Institute in 1901

See Article for More Information

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

The Use of Slip-Decoration at the Industry in North Yarmouth, Maine

The remains of this nineteenth century lead glazed red earthenware jug and bowl were both recovered years ago from separate archaeological contexts in the North Yarmouth (known as Yarmouth after 1849), Maine area by Maine antiques picker and collector Chris Havey. Both of these objects will eventually be published, and are thought to have been produced at one of the potteries located at Yarmouth Corner near the Royal River at the industry in North Yarmouth.

Interestingly, the shape of the jug, exterior glaze pattern and the lack of a footed base translates to a number of known jars, jugs, and vases that are attributed to Maine today. But these artifacts also prove the use of slip-decoration at the industry in North Yarmouth; the bowl having a slip-decorated interior and the jug showing traces of slip that was accidentally dripped onto it. The color of the brown glaze is also an exact match on both objects.

The bowl itself is an interesting study piece, since it does resemble some bowls made in southeastern Pennsylvania and Alexandria, Virginia in the eighteenth and early-nineteenth centuries; however this bowl is unrelated. I actually know of an intact example that matches these sherds, which is privately owned in central Maine today. That bowl was reportedly found locally years ago in a thrift store, probably having been donated from a nearby home.

It should also be noted that the Dodge family pottery in Portland, Maine also apparently applied some slip-decoration in the nineteenth century, and seeing that Yarmouth is located only about 11 miles north of Portland, these businesses may have used the same source of kaolin for the slip. The source may have been something they discovered locally, but it may have been imported into this area of coastal Maine, as well. I have not found any other archaeological evidence to suggest any kind of slip-decorated wares were produced elsewhere in Maine in the 1800s.

The use of slip in North Yarmouth and Portland was limited by what is known today, suggesting that it was used sparingly, and there may not have been a lot of kaolin available - thus why I suggest that it could have been an element that was imported rather than a substance that these potters harvested from a local source.

To my knowledge, there are a few slip-decorated objects in private and museum collections today that are thought to have been manufactured in this area. But there is not a lot of evidence to say slip was widely used in production, such as it was in places like Norwalk, Connecticut, Long Island and Pennsylvania during the same period.

Slip-Decorated Wares Recovered in the Yarmouth, ME Area

(Top) 19th Century Lead Glazed Red Earthenware Jug Recovered Near North Yarmouth, ME

Both Sides of the Jug Reveal Drips of Slip-Decoration

Thought to Have Been Produced in North Yarmouth, ME

(Bottom) 19th Century Lead Glazed Red Earthenware Bowl Sherds with Slip-Decorated Interior

Recovered Near Yarmouth Corner in North Yarmouth, ME

Thought to Have Been Made in North Yarmouth, ME

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Chris Havey

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

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Possibly Made in Wiscasset, Maine

According to Massachusetts author Lura Woodside Watkins' (1897-1982) book, Early New England Potters and Their Wares, "The Porter pottery in Wiscasset, Maine, which is thought, was started about 1790. Ezra Porter (1769-1847), its founder, was a grandson of Joseph Osborn (1702-1780) of Danvers, Massachusetts, and son of Benjamin Porter (ca. 1720-1794), another Danvers potter. His own statement, published in The Lincoln Intelligencer, August 1826, declares: "I, Ezra Porter, potter by trade, have worked at the potter's business for about 30 years, in Danvers and Watertown, Mass., in Newcastle and Wiscasset, in the County of Lincoln, in the state of Maine."

According to this, he began career in 1786 at the age of 17. Ezra's pottery in Wiscasset has not been located, but that of his son Silas, who succeeded him, was built on the site of the old county poor house in the southern part of the town. This is described as being near Hilton's Cove at Birch Point, on the cross road connecting the state highway with the old road to Jewankee. In this district, near a bed of excellent clay, Silas Porter (1804-1882) made a great variety of earthenware, including pipkins, cake molds, money jugs, snuff jars, and the usual assortment of cooking dishes and containers. He also operated a brickyard that was later sold to the New England Brick Company."

Interestingly, many of the bricks manufactured by Silas were reportedly used to furnish a number of the brick structures that are found throughout Wiscasset today. He also supposedly continued to produce pottery right up until his death.

Nonetheless, this is a nineteenth century lead glazed red earthenware jar that I believe was possibly made at the Porter family pottery in Wiscasset, which I just acquired from Maine antiques dealer Evan Grant. According to Evan, he recently purchased the jar at an auction near Gardiner, Maine. The glaze on this jar is an exact match to a group of Porter pottery objects that I already own, including a jug, a pitcher and a lidded jar. However, I believe this form could have been used to store tobacco, which could suggest it was made by Silas Porter rather than his father.

Maine Red Earthenware Jar

19th Century Lead Glazed Red Earthenware Jar

Possibly Made at the Porter Family Pottery in Wiscasset, Maine

Stands 7 1/8" 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

View of the Interior

See Article for More Information

View of the Base

See Article for More Information

Silas Porter's (1804-1882) Gravestone in Woodlawn Cemetery in Wiscasset, ME

See Article for More Information

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

A Wonderful Jar from Western New York with Dramatic Multi-Colored Slip-Decoration

This past December, I posted a story about a great red earthenware jar from Western New York that I had just acquired from the collection of Sheffield, Massachusetts antiques dealer, Sam Herrup. I described that jar as one of the best glazes that I have ever seen on an example of American pottery. That jar was also formerly owned by retired archaeologist and museum specialist, George R. Hamell.

Yesterday, I purchased another excellent Western New York jar from Sam Herrup's collection, which happens to be an object that he has owned for many years. This jar is decorated in a very rare style of multi-colored slip-decoration. While I can recall seeing this rare color combination of slip used in Western New York, I have never seen this exact style in which the slip was applied. The other objects that I reference have been owned through the years by such antiques dealers as Brian Cullity, David Good and Greg Kramer. Those objects were also thought to have been made at a pottery owned by Nathaniel Rochester in Rochester, New York, circa 1818-1831.

According to the Genesee Country Village and Museum, "After the American Revolution, when land in Western New York opened up for settlement, men and women left their rocky farms in New England and moved west. Pennsylvanians and Marylanders migrated from the south. 

The pioneers who rushed to clear and develop the rich frontier were all hoping to improve their lot. Some would turn back. Some would be struck by Genesee Fever, a form of malaria. Some would move on to Ohio and Michigan. But many would stay.

In 1801, Colonel Nathaniel Rochester (1751-1831) left his comfortable circumstances in Hagerstown, Maryland, to move north to 155 acres in Dansville, New York, that had been bought on his trip to the Genesee Country in September 1800. The perilous 275-mile journey north through almost impassible mountains took three weeks.

On horseback the Colonel led a procession of carriages bearing the younger children and women of the household and three great Conestoga wagons with household goods, his ten slaves and some of his neighbors who came along to help. The Colonel moved north, he said, "to escape the influence of slavery, to set his slaves free and to rear his family in a free state."

In Dansville, Colonel Rochester purchased from David Scholl a plank house, believed to have been built around 1797 - and once settled in Dansville, he purchased most of the water rights at Canaseraga Creek. Colonel Rochester erected a large paper mill and a gristmill. In the meantime, he began to survey the 100 acre-tract at the falls of the Genesee River that he and his colleagues had purchased in 1803.

After five years in Dansville, Colonel Rochester moved to a large farm in East Bloomfield, New York, and continued his work laying out what would become the Village of Rochester. In 1818, he and his family finally moved near the falls into a house with a large garden and grounds sloping down to the river. In 1824, he erected a brick house on higher ground where he resided for the rest of his life."

As I have noted in previous posts from earlier this year, Rochester also offered some of his property in the Village in 1818, to be used as a pottery; he was not the potter himself, but the business is known by his name today. The potter or potters who worked at the Rochester Pottery produced some of the earliest wares in this region. Although, to my knowledge, the name is not known of the potter or potters employed here, but they were clearly skilled in their craft by what is known about this pottery from both archaeology and surviving objects.

Wonderful Slip-Decorated Jar from Western New York

19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to Western New York

Possibly Made at Nathaniel Rochester's Pottery in Rochester, NY

Possibly Circa 1818-1831

Stands 7 1/4" Tall

Ex-Sam Herrup Collection

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Jar

See Article for More Information

View of the Interior

See Article for More Information

View of the Base

See Article for More Information

Other Western New York Jars Decorated with Similar Colors of Slip-Decoration

19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Jar

Attributed to Western New York

Very Likely Made at Nathaniel Rochester's Pottery in Rochester, NY

Very Likely Circa 1818-1831

Stands About 6 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

Has Been Owned by David Good and Greg Kramer

Photo Courtesy: David Good

(Circled) 19th Century Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Jar

Attributed to Western New York

Possibly Made at Nathaniel Rochester's Pottery in Rochester, NY

Possibly Circa 1818-1831

Has Been Owned by Brian Cullity and David Good

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Brian Cullity

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

Wonderful 19th Century Pennsylvania Lead Glazed Figural Bank Found Today in New Hampshire

Also while out and about in New Hampshire today with my niece Alexis, we discovered this wonderful nineteenth century lead glazed red earthenware money box with some traces of slip decoration. We found the bird in Thomas Bartlett Antiques in Chichester, New Hampshire; although, this bird does have some restoration that I will probably have fixed sometime, I had to have it because of its wonderful form and incredible size.

Based on other money boxes that I have seen, I believe this is a Pennsylvania example, which is likely related to some of the figural banks that sold in the Kelly Young Collection at Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland in January 2010.

Interestingly, this object is large, measuring over 10-inches wide and nearly 6-inches tall - and inscribed on the base is the name "BELL" written in pencil; I also learned that it was previously owned for many years by New Hampshire and Maine antiques dealer, Doug Hamel who primarily specializes in Shaker made wares.

Wonderful Lead Glazed Red Earthenware Figural Bank

19th Century Lead Glazed Red Earthenware Money Box

Found Today Near Concord, New Hampshire

Likely Made in Pennsylvania

Measures 5 3/4" Tall and 10 1/8" Wide

 See Article for More Information

 Another View of the Money Box

See Article for More Information

View of the Back

See Article for More Information

The Name "BELL" is Inscribed on the Base in Pencil

See Article for More Information

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