Forthcoming Northern New York Research Story that Will be Published in Next Week's Issue of Antiques & the Arts Weekly

Published in next week's issue of Antiques & the Arts Weekly is a research story that I have been working on for sometime about red earthenware and slipware production in Champion, New York. This small northern New York town near the shores of Lake Ontario and the Ontario, Canada border is hardly recognized for its pottery production today - in fact, I have not found any evidence that anything about this production has been published since 1878. Nonetheless, the basis for the story is an important circa 1820 slip-script red earthenware jar from the collection of the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute in Washingnton, D.C.

The Location of Champion, New York

The Location of Champion, New York

A Research Story About this Town's Pottery Production Will be Published in Next Week's Issue of Antiques & the Arts Weekly

See Article for More Information

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

A Comparison of Red Earthenware and Stoneware Flasks from Ontario and Pennsylvania

A nineteenth century red earthenware flask is another one of  the objects that piqued my interest in the John Wine Collection that sold last weekend at Miller & Miller Auctions in New Hamburg, Ontario. The glaze was certainly attractive, but I was especially intrigued by the form of the flask, especially in consideration of the influence found in this region with migrant Pennsylvanians and Germans in the late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth century.

While the shape of the rim is not exact, this nineteenth century stoneware flask that I posted, which was reportedly made in Pennsylvania is very similar to the red earthenware example attributed to Ontario. Unfortunately, I do not know the whereabouts of this stoneware flask today, although the illustration was taken from the Index of American Design in the National Art Gallery at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. The flask was made as a Christmas present; it is decorated on one side with a bird and a floral arrangement, while the reverse side is inscribed, "John Morse to Arthur W. Smith December 25 1867."

Interestingly, the form of the red earthenware flask is vastly different than many those made in America, which typically demonstrate a more elongated body and a different style of rim. The shape of the rim found on this flask is also similar to that used on some American and Canadian stoneware jugs and related forms from the same period. It is also a rim style used on a variety of red earthenware jugs manufactured in Ontario in the mid-to-late-nineteenth century.

A Comparison of Ontario and Pennsylvania Flask Forms

19th Century Stoneware Flask Reportedly Made in Pennsylvania
Inscribed "John Morse to Arthur W. Smith December 25 1867"
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Index of American Design at the National Art  Gallery

19th Century Red Earthenware Flask Attributed to Ontario

Form is Similar to Some Stoneware Flasks Made in America

Stands 5 1/4" Tall

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

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

A Comparison of Sponge Decorations Found on Objects Made in Ontario and Pennsylvania

Last night, I wrote, "William Eby (1831-1910) was a Mennonite potter of Pennsylvania-German descent, and his business operated for one of the longest spans of any known Ontario potter. He is considered by collectors and museums today to be one of the most important known Ontario potters. Eby was a third generation potter; his grandfather was one of the thousands of Pennsylvanians who settled in Ontario during the 1785-1815 period, opening a pottery in the early-nineteenth century."

The site of the William Eby Pottery in Conestogo, Ontario was excavated in the late-1960s, headed by archaeologist Dr. Walter Kenyon (1917-1986). The archaeology is kept today at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, where some of it is posted on the museum's website. The excavations included the pottery building, the kiln area and exploring the waster dump, recovering an enormous amount of material. Some of  analysis of the dig was published in a book written by Donald Webster in 1971, titled, The William Eby Pottery, Conestogo, Ontario, 1855-1907. But I think it would be fascinating to actually study the archaeology collection, which I suspect may contain information that was not published in the book. I know from studying many archaeology collections that not every form made at the business is necessarily represented in the archaeology collection. 

Nevertheless, I also discussed last night how some of the green glazes produced at the William Eby Pottery are very similar to green glazes made throughout central and northern New England in the late-eighteenth and nineteenth century. However, today, I want to show another similarity found with Eby glazes, which are comparable to a common form of decoration applied in many areas in Pennsylvania in the 1800s.

This pair of nineteenth century red earthenware flowerpots sold last weekend in the John Wine Collection at Miller & Miller Auctions in New Hamburg, Ontario. They were both attributed to Eby, and both exhibit a similar pattern of sponge decoration applied around the pot and the attached saucer. The larger pot illustrated to the right is decorated with a sponged green glaze, possibly made from copper, while the smaller pot illustrated to the left is decorated in what appears to be a sponged black glaze, possibly made from manganese. Although the form of both pots are nearly identical, they also match a flowerpot attributed to William Eby in the collection of the Royal Ontario Museum.

This style of sponge decoration is commonly found on a variety of forms made in Pennsylvania in the nineteenth century, including flowerpots, jars and pitchers. Its production was not limited to just one area, but a variation of the decoration is also found on a pitcher made about 1830 at the Thomas Haig (ca. 1812-1893) Pottery in Philadelphia in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

A Comparison of Ontario and Pennsylvania Glazes

19th Century Red Earthenware Flowerpots 

Attributed to the William Eby Pottery in Conostogo, Ontario

Circa 1855-1907

Left Stands 5 1/4" Tall and Right Stands 6" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

19th Century Red Earthenware Flowerpot

Attributed to the William Eby Pottery in Conostogo, Ontario

Circa 1855-1907

Stands 5 3/8" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Royal Ontario Museum

19th Century Red Earthenware Pitchers Attributed to Pennsylvania

Left Stands 6" Tall and Right 7" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Conestoga Auction Company

19th Century Red Earthenware Flowerpot Attributed to Pennsylvania

Stands 9" Tall and Measures 11 1/4" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Conestoga Auction Company

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

A Comparison of Green Glazes Found on Objects Made in Ontario and Possibly New England

Through the years, I have wondered about some green glazed nineteenth century red earthenware objects attributed to New England with no real explanation of their attribution. A particular formed vase comes to mind that I have heard was made in both New Hampshire and Maine, but the later form does not really match up with known production, seeing that the areas it is attributed to had largely discontinued red earthenware production by the time this form was made. As a result, I have wondered for a few years now whether these objects could be from Canada, especially seeing the attribution is basically based on the color of the glaze. And while I have no proof either way, I thought this would be a good discussion subject seeing the strong similarities in glaze found in both areas. I should also note that some of the "New England" objects I am referencing retain no real context of ownership in New England other than their exchange through the American antique trade over the years.

Last weekend, I wrote about the John Wine Collection that sold at Miller & Miller Auctions in New Hamburg, Ontario. It was an excellent collection and a wonderful sale. But the collection also included a great green glazed nineteenth century red earthenware jug made by William Eby (1831-1910) in Conostogo, Ontario, which closely resembles some of the green glazes that I referenced. A similar jug from Eby (and other related objects) is included in the John and Heather Harbinson Collection at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec.

Eby was a Mennonite potter of Pennsylvania-German descent, and his business operated for one of the longest spans of any known Ontario potter. He is considered by collectors and museums today to be one of the most important known Ontario potters. Eby was a third generation potter; his grandfather was one of the thousands of Pennsylvanians who settled in Ontario during the 1785-1815 period, opening a pottery in the early-nineteenth century.

But, (for example) while I have no proof to say that the vase I have posted below was made in New England or Ontario, I wanted to show tonight how similar these glazes are, especially the objects from the Harbinson Collection. I also cannot prove that this vase was made in New England, and seeing that vases were made in Ontario, I thought this would be a good comparison. It is also amazing to see how the green glaze found on the jug that sold in the John Wine Collection is so similar to green glazed wares made in southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod in the eighteenth and early-nineteenth century, as well as green glazes created in Portland, Maine, Yarmouth, Maine and elsewhere in New England. This is likely a good example showing how it is very difficult to establish an accurate attribution based on just a glaze.

A Comparison of Green Glazes from the 1800s

19th Century Red Earthenware Jug

Attributed to William Eby Pottery in Conestogo, Ontario

Circa 1855-1907

Stands 3 1/4" Tall

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

19th Century Red Earthenware Objects

Attributed to William Eby Pottery in Conestogo, Ontario

Circa 1855-1907

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: Canadian Museum of History

19th Century Green Glazed Red Earthenware Vase

A Small Group of These Are Known and Said to Have Been Made in New England

This is a Great Glaze and Form, Nonetheless

Stands 8" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Skinner

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

An Excellent Green Glazed Red Earthenware Jar Very Likely from Southeastern Massachusetts or Cape Cod

While visiting Antiques Week in New York City last month, I stopped at the New York Antique Ceramics Fair at the Bohemian National Hall in Manhattan. This is where I saw this incredible late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth century green glazed red earthenware jar in the booth of Sheffield, Massachusetts antiques dealer Sam Herrup, which he had recently purchased from a private northern New England collection.

I just added this jar to my collection today; it was very likely made in southeastern Massachusetts or possibly Cape Cod. The lid is also most likely original. But the green glaze is just spectacular, showing different variations and some red as the jar is rotated.

For more information about the industry in southeastern Massachusetts, I suggest a feature story I wrote for the June 2018 issue of Maine Antique Digest, titled, "The Pottery Industry in Southeastern Massachusetts."

Red Earthenware Jar Very Likely from Southeastern Massachusetts or Cape Cod

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

Very Likely from Southeastern Massachusetts or Cape Cod

The Lid is Most Likely Original

Stands 7 1/4" 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 Lid

The Lid is Most Likely Original

See Article for More Information

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

A Pair of Earthenware Vases Attributed to Simon Thomas Humberstone in North York, Toronto, Ontario

In 1984, the University of Toronto Press published author Elizabeth Collard's (1917-2001) book, Nineteenth-Century Pottery and Porcelain in Canada, Second Edition. Some of the objects illustrated in the book were from her personal collection, including a great nineteenth century earthenware jar or vase attributed to Simon Thomas Humberstone in North York, Toronto, Ontario that was illustrated in plate 121. It was described as a baluster vase with relief horizontal bands, decorated in a mottled green and yellow glaze with a buff body.

North York is one of six divisions of Toronto, located directly north of old Toronto, and with a population today of nearly 700,000 people. According to the North York Historical Society, "York became an economic centre attracting merchants, entrepreneurs and settlers in the nineteenth century. With about 50,000 acres of gently rolling countryside, and Yonge Street as the main road, villages sprang up at crossroads, and wherever there was water-power for mills. In 1922, the Township of North York was incorporated, with a population of 6,000."

After Elizabeth Collard died in 2001, the ceramics from her estate were sold by Ritchies Auctioneers and Appraisers in Toronto in December 2002, which included some of the pottery illustrated in her book, such as the Humberstone vase. Here is a link to the auction catalog should anyone reading this want to see the ceramics.

According to the Archives of Ontario, "Simon Thomas Humberstone (1846-1915) was the most well known potter in the Humberstone family of potters, and was very active in conservative politics in Ontario.

The Humberstone family originally moved from Staffordshire, England to Philadelphia, then to Canada at the time of the American Revolution. Samuel Humberstone (ca. 1744-1823) established one of the first potteries in Upper Canada on the land he was granted in Augusta Township in Grenville County.

Samuel Humberstone's son Thomas (1776-1849) established his own pottery in York County in 1798. His son, Thomas Humberstone Junior (1811-1895) carried on pottery at York Mills, Thornhill, Willowdale, and at Newton Brook (west side of Yonge Street, south of Steeles Avenue).

Simon Thomas Humberstone came to be the most well known of all the Humberstone potters. He engaged in potting and Conservative politics for almost fifty years. He was a candidate for the Conservative Party, and served as Deputy Reeve and later as Reeve of York Township. Under his direction, a large pottery was erected at the Yonge and Steeles site. Works from this site were known as "Newton Brook Pottery. S.T. Humberstone. Stoneware, Earthenware and Rockingham." While Humberstone made the usual brownwares and red flowerpots, he also carried out extensive experimentation with a variety of coloured glazes and shapes."

Yesterday, I posted an article that recapped the sale of the John Wine Collection at Miller & Miller Auctions in New Hamburg, Ontario. I noted that I bid on a number of the lots, including one that I was lucky to win, a vase that is basically identical to the Humberstone vase owned by Elizabeth Collard. I will post more pictures once the vase arrives at my home, but I do want mention that Mr. Wine wrote a note on the bottom of the vase that in part reads, "The like one in Collard's book  - attributed to Humberstone sold on December 2, 2002."

A Pair of Earthenware Vases Attributed to Simon Thomas Humberstone

 19th Century Earthenware Jar or Vase

Attributed to Simon Thomas Humberstone in North York, Toronto, Ontario

Stands 10" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

View of the Base

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

19th Century Earthenware Jar or Vase

From the Collection of Author of Elizabeth Collard

Illustrated in Plate 121 in Nineteenth-Century Pottery and Porcelain in Canada, Second Edition

Attributed to Simon Thomas Humberstone in North York, Toronto, Ontario

Stands 9 7/8" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Ritchies Auctioneers and Appraisers

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

An Excellent Selection of Pottery that Sold Today at Miller & Miller Auctions in New Hamburg, Ontario

This should be an exciting year for collectors of Ontario earthenware, red earthenware and stoneware, seeing that at least two major collections are coming up for public sale. For instance, Plato Auctions in St. Catharines, Ontario will sell the Creighton pottery collection as part of the firm's antique, sporting and nostalgia auction on April 25.

However, moments ago, Miller & Miller Auctions concluded the John Wine Collection aspect of its Canadiana, pottery and folk art sale in New Hamburg, Ontario. The sale included an outstanding selection of locally made earthenware, red earthenware and stoneware, some of which I consider to be among the finest examples of Canadian pottery sold at auction in years.

Overall, there were more than 200 lots of ceramics made anywhere from Canada to America, Europe and likely other countries, as well. But the bulk of the collection consisted of pottery made in Ontario. And considering there was so much to see, I decided to focus on the rarer forms and more desirable manufacturers. In fact, a lot of the forms I have seen from Ontario potters before, although some of the more common forms in this sale, like jars and jugs were decorated in spectacular glazes, which really set them apart from the more typical styles found in the Canadian and American marketplace. There was also a great selection of flowerpots, including tree trunk formed planters made in Ontario.

Some of the better known potters represented in the sale were Adam Biernstihl, Simon Thomas Humberstone, William Eby, Ignatz Bitschy and Joseph Wagner. Some of the businesses included the Brownscombe Pottery, the Huron Pottery, the Owen Sound Pottery, the Prince Edward Island Pottery and merchant pieces from Toronto.

Although, stylistically, I thought the rarest piece of pottery was a nineteenth century red earthenware puzzle jug likely from Ontario decorated with a beautiful glaze, and inscribed in sgraffito, "F * W / From Mother Earth I Claim my Birth / I'm Made a Joke for Man / But Now I'm Here Fill'd With Good Cheer Come / Taste Me If You Can." The reason why I felt this was the rarest piece of pottery in the sale is because so little sgraffito is known from Ontario today, which is surprising considering the amount of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia based potters, who migrated to this section of Canada in the nineteenth century.

There was also a colorfully glazed red earthenware inkwell in the sale attributed to Ontario, which I have no doubt was made in Ontario. But the same style of inkwell is also said to have been made at the John Corliss Pottery in Days Ferry, Woolwich, Maine based on one that was found years ago in Maine. This just shows how Canadian pottery has traveled through the years, and can be attributed to potters in New England just because of the glaze color. 

Admittedly, though I tried to buy some of the lots today since some of the examples that sold were really spectacular, although I underbid three of the better objects that I had hoped to add to my collection and I bid competitively on others. But I was also the lucky bidder on one of the good lots, as well. Nevertheless, I believe the objects that I posted are among the major pottery highlights of the sale, and not entirely for value, either, but because of form and rarity, as well as the desirability among collectors and museums for certain manufacturers. 

For those of you who did not preview the sale online or in-person, the catalog can be found listed on LiveAuctioneers, among possibly other online platforms. A printed catalog is also available, which is an excellence reference for any library, collector and ceramic historian.

Some of the Pottery that Sold Today at Miller & Miller Auctions in Ontario

Lot No. 72

19th Century Slip-Decorated Earthenware Bowl

Attributed to the Adam Biernstihl Pottery in Bridgeport, Ontario

Circa 1867-1900

Measures 11 1/2" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

View of the Interior

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

View of the  Base

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

Lot No. 116

19th Century Red Earthenware Flask Likely Made in Ontario

Form is Similar to Stoneware Flasks

Stands 5 1/4" Tall

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

Lot No. 121

19th Century Ontario Red Earthenware Water Feeder with Applied Decoration

Inscribed "Mrs. Pag(e?) Mountsburge, Ontario

Stands 24" Tall

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

Lot No. 122

Large 19th Century Earthenware Mug Attributed to Ontario

A Similar but Smaller Mug Sold a few Years Ago in New Hampshire

Stands 10 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

Lot No. 238

19th Century Red Earthenware Whimsical Frog Attributed to Ontario

Similar Example Found in the Jordan, Ontario Museum

Measures 2 3/4" Long

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

Lot No. 243

 19th Century Red Earthenware Puzzle Jug Likely Made in Ontario

Inscribed "F * W / From Mother Earth I Claim my Birth / I'm Made  a Joke for Man / But Now I'm Here Fill'd With Good Cheer Come / Taste Me If You Can."

Stands 6 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

View of the Inscription

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

Lot No. 310

19th Century Earthenware Vase Attributed to Waterloo County, Ontario

Stands 9 1/4" Tall

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

Lot No. 312

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to Waterloo County, Ontario

Stands 9" Tall

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

Lot No. 316

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Signed "Jos Wagner, Maker, Berlin, Ont"

Stands 8 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

Lot No. 388

19th Century Earthenware Jar with Excellent Glaze

Attributed to Simon Thomas Humberstone in North York, Ontario

Stands 10" Tall

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

Lot No. 448

19th Century Rockingham Glazed Picture Frames

Possibly Made at the Brantford Pottery

Circa 1849-1907

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

Lot No. 525

19th Century Red Earthenware Plate 

Attributed to William Eby Pottery in Conestogo, Ontario

Circa 1855-1907

Measures 10" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

Lot No. 526

19th Century Red Earthenware Jug

Attributed to William Eby Pottery in Conestogo, Ontario

Circa 1855-1907

Stands 3 1/4" Tall

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

Lot No. 527

19th Century Red Earthenware Cup

Attributed to William Eby Pottery in Conestogo, Ontario

Circa 1855-1907

Stands 2 1/4" Tall

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

Lot No. 528

19th Century Red Earthenware Cup & Saucer

Attributed to William Eby Pottery in Conestogo, Ontario

Circa 1855-1907

Cup Stands 3 1/4" Tall

Saucer Measures 4 3/4" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

Lot No. 549

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to Ontario

Marked on the Front "J.C. Beer"

Stands 7 1/4" Tall

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

View of the Mark "J.C. Beer"

See Article for More Information

 Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

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