19th Century Red Earthenware Bottle of Inkwell Found Yesterday in Brimfield, Massachusetts

While walking around the antique shows yesterday in Brimfield, Massachusetts, I came across this unexpected find, which immediately reminded me of a western New York red earthenware jug that sold at Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland in July 2011. This bottle is decorated with a mustard-colored glaze and embellished with some copper that appears green, the same style of decoration found on the jug. Both objects also measure the same height.

As I inspected this object closely, I noticed that it was manufactured with a pouring spout, similar to that found on some master inks. As a result, I suspect that this may have been intended to be used for ink, otherwise it was designed for another household purpose where it was necessary to carefully pour the contents.

I was told that until recently, this object had resided in a private collection in western Massachusetts, not far from the New York border. But aside from the form, the color combination is really excellent.

Red Earthenware Bottle or Master Ink

19th Century Red Earthenware Bottle Manufactured with a Pouring Spout
Possibly Intended to be Used as a Master Inkwell
Attributed to Western New York
Stands 8 1/8" Tall
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Another View of Bottle of Master Inkwell

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View of the Pouring Spout

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Another View of the Pouring Spout

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19th Century Red Earthenware Jug with Copper Spots

Attributed to Western New York

Stands 8 1/8" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm Auction of American Redware and Stoneware

Another View of the Jug

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Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm Auction of American Redware and Stoneware

Another View of the Jug

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Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm Auction of American Redware and Stoneware

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Ceramics in Virginia: A New Book Published About Stoneware Made in the Lower James River Valley

This is a brand new book that I just received, written by Eric Jenkins, titled, Ceramics in Virginia, covering nineteenth century stoneware from the Lower James River Valley region. The book runs 232-pages, and is loaded with excellent photography and archaeology.

According to the author, "Ceramics in Virginia contains a wealth of information on stoneware made by several pottery factories in the Lower Basin of the James River from the early 1800s to the Civil War era. It covers the major Virginia production centers in Richmond, Henrico County along Four Mile Creek and Bailey's Run near New Market, and Petersburg. Extensive background information is given on the pottery sites and the potters who operated them: David Parr, Richard Randolph, Stephen Sweeney, John Schermerhorn, Henry Lowndes, and others."

For those who would like to add this beautiful book to their library, I believe it is available on eBay, as well as Facebook, and possibly other sites online.

New Book, Titled, Ceramics in Virginia

My Niece Holding Eric Jenkins' New Book, Ceramics in Viriginia

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View of the Cover of the Book

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View of the Back Cover

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A Comparison of Two Slip-Decorated Red Earthenware Cups

A few weeks ago, I wrote about a Colonial eighteenth century slip-decorated red earthenware cup that appeared in the booth of South Egremont, Massachusetts antiques dealers, Elliot and Grace Snyder at Antiques in Manchester, New Hampshire: The Collector's Fair. That cup was thought to have been manufactured in Charlestown, Massachusetts, possibly at the Parker family pottery, about the mid-eighteenth century. The interpretation was based on the style of the slip, as well as the form of the cup, including the band of central rings commonly found on English manganese mottled earthenware of the late-seventeenth and early-eighteenth century.

However, I quickly realized that upon seeing the cup that it was very similar to a slip-decorated cup in my collection, which retains a history of private ownership in New England. The form, base and size of the cups are basically the same, although this cup was manufactured with single bands placed along the midsection and shoulder, rather than a central group of rings, but still the same type of manufacture. These type of single bands are also found on English earthenware manufactured in the late-seventeenth and early-eighteenth century.

Interestingly, this cup was manufactured with a dark red colored glaze, almost cranberry or raspberry in color. This type of glaze is also found in the Charlestown Archaeology Collection, but it has not been identified which potter or business may have produced this glaze. This is not a glaze color commonly associated with what is known about Charlestown red earthenware today.

The single bands found on this cup are also highlighted with slip-decoration. But the slip is only on one side, possibly suggesting a further meaning or just a coincidence. This style of slip-decoration is also found in the Charlestown archaeology, typically going all around the cup or mug (see below).

There are subtle differences found in the manufacture of the handles and the area along the rims; although, that is not necessarily a major indicator seeing that there are similarities as well. Nevertheless, I thought this would be an interesting comparison to see.

Comparison of Cups

 Comparison of the Cups

Both Measure About the Same Size in Height

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 Another View of the Cups

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View of the Handles

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Cup and Mug Founds Recovered in Charlestown

Colonial 18th Century Cup and Mug Bases Recovered in Charlestown, Mass.

Construction of the Bases is Very Similar to Those Found on These Cups

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Photo Courtesy: City of Boston Archaeology Program

Red Earthenware Pot Recovered in Charlestown, Mass.

 Colonial 18th Century Red Earthenware Pot Recovered in Charlestown, Mass.

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Photo Courtesy: City of Boston Archaeology Program

 The Interior is Decorated in a Colorful Glaze

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Photo Courtesy: City of Boston Archaeology Program

Another View of the Interior Glaze

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Photo Courtesy: City of Boston Archaeology Program

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Stoneware Face Jug Found Decades Ago in Pennsylvania

Yesterday, I posted a story about the Mr. and Mrs. George S. Meyer Collection of American Face Jugs currently displayed at the Fenimore Art Museum in Cooperstown, New York. I also included pictures of this stoneware face jug that I acquired earlier this summer; although, I purposely left out the provenance of this piece seeing if anyone recognized it.

This jug was purchased decades ago by Robesonia, Pennsylvania antiques dealer, Greg Kramer - Greg said he could not remember exactly where he found it, but he could recall it being found in Pennsylvania, probably in the 1980s.

There is extensive wear on this piece suggesting that it was not recently made just before Greg purchased it. For instance, the wear can be seen on the base, around the lip of the jug and throughout the hair. The base has also been scratched with the initials "T.H.," but I am not convinced this is from the potter since the initials appear to have been created after it was fired. I have also tried to research a potter with these initials and I have not found anything related.

Nevertheless, I do not know where this was made, but it has a great look to it and the potter was clearly talented. This piece could have been done by a studio potter from the 1930s/40s to the 1960s or could have been made by another potter dating from any period in the twentieth century. Is there anyone reading this who recognizes this piece? I would love to learn more about it.

Stoneware Face Jug Found in Pennsylvania

20th Century Stoneware Face Jug

I Believe it Could be American

But Where it was Made is Unknown to Me

Found Decades Ago in Pennsylvania

Stands 11 1/2" Tall

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 Another View of the Face Jug

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 Another View of the Face Jug

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 Another View of the Face Jug

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 Another View of the Face Jug

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 Another View of the Face Jug

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 Another View of the Face Jug

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 Another View of the Face Jug

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 Another View of the Face Jug

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Another View of the Face Jug

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 View of the Base
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Another View of the Base
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Early American Face Jug Exhibit at the Fenimore Art Museum and a Face Jug Acquired Earlier this Summer

While driving through upstate New York a few weeks ago with my nephew, Jason and niece, Alexis, we stopped at the Fenimore Art Museum in Coooperstown, New York in order to see the Mr. and Mrs. George S. Meyer Collection of Early American Face Jugs. The collection is phenomenal with a wide selection of face jugs from the Midwest and Southern regions, especially those made in the Edgefield District in South Carolina.

The Meyers Collection took decades to assemble with many of the face jugs coming from Ohio antiques dealer, David Good. They reportedly bought their first piece in 1980, and since then have acquired the largest known private collection of period Edgefield face jugs, as well as significant examples from other potters employed all over the United States.

There is a book available, but it was not published by the museum. It can be purchased through the website https://sandringhampress.com/. This collection will travel to South Carolina in 2020, when it will be displayed in its entirety at the South Carolina State Museum in Columbia.

Early American Face Jug Exhibit at the Fenimore Art Museum

An Early American Face Jug Exhibit is Currently on Display at the Fenimore Art Museum

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Card Handed Out by the Museum on How to Purchase a Book

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Information on the Back of the Card on How to Purchase the Book

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But before I saw the Meyers Early American Face Jug exhibit, I acquired this stoneware face jug earlier this summer. I was told that it was reportedly found decades ago in Pennsylvania.

This object was made by applying the face, ears and hair to an ovoid stoneware jug, creating a face jug. The base has been inscribed with the initials "T.H.," but this was not likely done by the potter. The initials were scratched into the jug after it had been fired in the kiln, and instead probably represent some type of past ownership.

These photos were taken on our way to a New York Mets game outside of the American Folk Art Museum's Collection and Education Center in Long Island City in Queens. And, although I do not where this jug was made, I certainly thought its look was great. It does appear to have significant age and it is rather heavy in weight.

Stoneware Face Jug in New York City

My Nephew Jason Holding a Stoneware Face Jug

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Stoneware Face Jug Found Decades Ago in Pennsylvania

The Face, Ears and Hair were Applied to an Ovoid Stoneware Jug
Stands 11 1/2" Tall

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View of the Hair and the Top of the Jug

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View of the Side an One Ear

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View of the Other Side and the Other Ear

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View of the Back

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View of the Base

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The Initial "TH" has Been Scratched Into the Base

This is Likely Not from the Potter and Rather a Past Owner

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19th Century Red Earthenware Bowl Found Near Niagara Falls Possibly Returns to its Place of Manufacture in Morganville, New York

According to the Genesee Country Village and Museum in Mumford, New York, "Fortunatus Gleason, Jr., and his son, Charles Gleason, operated the Morganville Pottery in Stafford Township, Genesee County, New York, until about the time of the Civil War. By then, most of the rural red earthenware potteries had succumbed to competition from the larger stoneware factories, but the Morganville Pottery turned away from jugs and jars, concentrating on earthenware flowerpots and drain tiles for which there was sufficient demand. Through a succession of family related potters, the Morganville operation survived into the twentieth century.

Excavations at the Morganville site by the Rochester Museum and Science Center in 1973 uncovered the building's foundations as well as the floors of two kilns, one inside and one outside of the building. Also found were quantities of earthenware fragments which have helped to identify and document surviving examples or Morganville pottery."

Once the archaeological excavations were finalized in 1973, the site of the Morganville Pottery was then placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Furthermore, archaeologist and museum specialist, George Hamell wrote about this pottery in an archaeology report published in 1980 in Northeast Historical Archaeology, titled, Earthenwares and Salt-Glazed Stonewares of  the Rochester-Genesee Valley Region: An Overview: "It has been suggested that Charles Gleason took over the pottery operation in Morganville in 1845, when he purchased the lot, on which the pottery was later known to have been located, from his uncle, Wilson Gleason, then a resident of Westmoreland, New Hampshire. Wilson Gleason had acquired the lot in 1837 from Fortunatus Gleason, Jr., his brother and the father of Charles Gleason - and that Charles Gleason had begun the manufacture of earthenware by 1846 is now confirmed. 

It has been thought that Charles Gleason's father had established the pottery at Morganville in 1828-29. Fortunatus, Jr., like his brother Lyman, had moved to Morganville from the family home in New Hampshire. There is circumstantial evidence that there was a pottery in operation in Morganville at least by 1835. However, Charles cannot be identified in the documents as a potter before 1846, nor can his father before 1850. Recent information, however, provides circumstantial evidence for Lyman Gleason's possible involvement in the Morganville Pottery prior to 1846.

Lyman and his write, Priscilla, had moved to Morganville in 1827, and remained residents of the community through the 1830s, but by August 1840 they had become residents of Leroy, Genesee County. His occupation is unknown, although there is some suggestion in the deed records of his involvement in milling. However, by the late 1840s, Lyman and his wife had moved to Paris, Brant County, Ontario, Canada, where he established a pottery. According to the 1851 census, the pottery was "...new to this place" and the census taker went on to note "what the cause (is) I do not know, but the ware has not the finish on it that imported goods have." Gleason's Paris, Ontario pottery closed in 1857."

While vacationing a few weeks ago in western New York with my nephew, Jason and niece, Alexis, we found this finely thrown nineteenth century red earthenware bowl with two handles near Niagara Falls. It was found alongside a nineteenth century earthenware jar from Ontario that was likely made to resemble stoneware.

Our feeling is that this bowl may have been made in Morganville; we decided to photograph it along the Niagara River. Afterwards, we brought it to the site of the Morganville Pottery, possibly returning home to its place of manufacture in the 1800s.

Red Earthenware Bowl Found Near Niagara Falls

 19th Century Red Earthenware Handled Bowl Alongside the Niagara River

Attributed to Western New York, Possibly Made in Morganville

Found Near Niagara Falls

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View of One of the Handles

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Site of the Morganville Pottery in Western New York

Site of the Gleason Family Pottery in Morganville, New York

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My Niece Alexis Checking Out the Site of the Gleason Family Pottery in Western New York

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Historic Marker at the Site of the Gleason Family Pottery

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My Niece Holding the Handled Bowl at the Site of the Morganville Pottery

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View of the Base

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Another View of the Bowl

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View of One of the Handles

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Pipkin Featured in the June 27, 2019 Issue of the Digital Antiques Journal

A few months ago, I posted a story showing a wonderful nineteenth century red earthenware pipkin from New England that I had just acquired. I purchased the pipkin in the booth of Gabe Ficht at Salt Marsh Antiques in Rowley, Massachusetts. From my experience, this is quite a rare form to find today, although it was produced in New England but there are not many examples that have survived.

This pipkin then went on to be featured in a story published in the June 27, 2019 issue of the Digital Antiques Journal. Here is a link to the full story.

New England Pipkin Featured in the June 27, 2019 Issue of the Digital Antiques Journal

I Recently Acquired the Pipkin from Antiques Dealer, Gabe Ficht

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