An Excellent Red Earthenware Jug in the Collection of the New York Historical Society in Manhattan

While viewing a collection of American red earthenware in storage a while back at the New York Historical Society in Manhattan, I was rather impressed with this nineteenth century red earthenware jug that I believe was manufactured in New England, perhaps northern New England. There is so much going on with this jug's glaze that it is rather incredible to see in hand. The maker is not identified, although this form of jug is similar to those produced in places like Maine and Massachusetts. The glaze is also similar to those manufactured at the industry in North Yarmouth, Maine, by the Bradford family in Kingston, Massachusetts, as well as the John Corliss (1799-1892) Pottery in Days Ferry, Woolwich, Maine, among other places. But this form does not seem to fit with John Corliss' known production. Nevertheless though, this is just an excellent glazed red earthenware jug!

Red Earthenware Jug in the Collection of the New York Historical Society in Manhattan

19th Century Red Earthenware Jug Attributed to New England

Possibly Made in Maine or Massachusetts

Stands 8 1/2" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: New York Historical Society

Another View of the Jug

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Photo Courtesy: New York Historical Society

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A Stoneware Jar Manufactured with a Fish Stamp Attributed to Charlestown, Massachusetts

This seems to be the object that solves the mystery of who produced stoneware impressed with this exact fish stamp, which I have recently written about in pieces that sold last month at a John McInnis auction in Amesbury, Massachusetts and at Hyde Park Country Auctions in Poughkeepsie, New York. 

There had been some speculation whether this fish stamp was produced at the William Pecker (1757-1820) Pottery in South Amesbury, Massachusetts about 1810, although this jar is proof that this stamp was actually manufactured in the early 1800s at the Frederick Carpenter Pottery in Charlestown, Massachusetts. This type of fish stamp is also mentioned in my most recent book, South Amesbury's Red Earthenware & Stoneware: The 1791-1820 William Pecker Pottery.

For those interested: this jar is currently being offered as lot number 178 in Crocker Farm's ongoing auction in Sparks, Maryland.

A Stoneware Jar Manufactured with a Fish Stamp Attributed to Charlestown, Massachusetts

Early 19th Century Stoneware Jar Made in Charlestown, Mass.

Attributed to the Frederick Carpenter Pottery

The Jar is Impressed with a Fish

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Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm

Another Look at the Fish Stamp

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Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm

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Early 20th Century Photograph of the Logan Pottery in Logan, Hocking County, Ohio

This early twentieth century photograph of the Logan Pottery in Logan, Ohio is currently for sale on eBay showing a group of factory workers surrounding an incredible advertising stoneware jug - does anyone know if this jug still exists today?

The Logan Pottery was established in Hocking County, Ohio by the brothers Frank and Charles Adcock on May 29, 1902, although the pottery began operation in January of 1903. The pottery continued to operate under family ownership until 1964. 

Early 20th Century Photograph of the Logan Pottery in Logan, Hocking County, Ohio

Early 20th Century Photograph of the Logan Pottery in Logan, Hocking County, Ohio

The  Picture Shows Factory Workers Surrounding a Giant Advertising Jug

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Photo Courtesy: Natalie M. Curley

A Closer Look at the  Advertising Jug

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Photo Courtesy: Natalie M. Curley

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A Special Presentation Sewer Tile Object from Akron, Ohio Recently Found in Geauga County, Ohio

After spending the past few days at the antique shows in Brimfield, Massachusetts, this is most likely my most interesting find - and its history is very similar to a twentieth century sewer tile piece that I wrote a research story about for the cover of the February 5, 2021 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled, "Special Folk Art Ceramic Vase Made At The Maurice Knight Chemical Stoneware Plant in Akron, Ohio: Carl Funk's Sewer Tile Vase Is Dated 1935."

I was told this special piece was recently discovered in Burton, Geauga County, Ohio, which is about forty miles east of Cleveland, and around forty-five miles northeast of where it was manufactured in Akron. 

Like the piece I wrote about for Antiques & Auction News that was made by a young Carl Funk (1913-2005) for his wife Marie Funk (b. 1918), possibly as a Christmas present, and inscribed on the base "Marie Funk / Dec. 21, 1935 / Carl Funk" - this new piece is related for the reason it was made.

In fact, this is among the more sophisticated and refined examples of American sewer tile that I have handled, which was made at the Robinson Clay Product Company in Akron in 1925. This sculpture is quite creative, where it seems to have been a presentation piece made by a man for his wife, although, I have not been able to determine who the the initials represent on this rustic style of pottery.

This object is decorated with various types of tree stumps, where the largest is finely dated with the year "1925" and the initials "E.R.F." I suspect that these initials represent a man, as did the person who found this piece, and then there are larger initials manufactured in a rustic style that read "R.B.F." The feeling is that this piece was made as a gift by a husband who worked at the company for his wife. The base is also inscribed with the company name "R.C.P. Co."

The Robinson Clay Product Company was founded in 1856 by Thomas Robinson, Richard Whitmore and Thomas Johnson. Furthermore, this is also a well documented factory with various company catalogs owned by the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. Those catalogs indicate the company's production included sewer pipe, Bristol glazed stoneware, fine glazed specialties, Rockingham ware, Yellow ware, Blue Flemish ware, Akron stoneware, among other types of production.

I have always appreciated the folk art appeal of the various end of the day sewer tiles pieces that exist manufactured by late nineteenth and twentieth century American sewer pipe factory workers, although, I am really drawn to the objects that retain such sentimental meaning, such as this new piece and the vase that I wrote about for Antiques & Auction News. These type of pieces seem to be quite rare today, and the refinement and skill found in this particular piece is outstanding.

I hope to eventually learn more about the history of this piece and who the initials represent, perhaps even if enough information is rediscovered that I can write a follow up story for Antiques &  Auction News focusing on this piece's story.

A Special Presentation Sewer Tile Object from Akron, Ohio

Very Special 20th Century Presentation Sewer Pipe Object

Manufactured at the Robinson Clay Product Company in Akron, Ohio

Most Likely Made by a Husband for His Wife

There are Two Sets of Initials "E.R.F." and "R.B.F." and It Is Dated "1925"

Recently Found in Burton, Geauga County, Ohio

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View of the "E.R.F." Initials

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View of the Base Inscribed "R.C.P. Co."

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Robinson Clay Product Company in Akron, Ohio

Circa Late 1800s

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Photo Courtesy: Akron-Summit County Public Library

Postcard of the Robinson Clay Product Company in Akron, Ohio

Piles of Sewer Pipe Are Seen in This Postcard

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Photo Courtesy: Thomas Conte

Another Postcard of the Robinson Clay Product Company in Akron, Ohio

Piles of Sewer Pipe Are Seen in This Postcard

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Photo Courtesy: Thomas Conte

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An Outstanding Pair of Vases Manufactured for the Centennial Exposition in 1876 Displayed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Centennial International Exposition of 1876, the first official World's Fair in the United States was held in Philadelphia from May 10, 1876 to November tenth of that same year. The event also commemorated the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, officially named the International Exhibition of Arts, Manufactures, and Products of the Soil and Mine. 

The event was held on more than 285-acces of land in Fairmont Park along the Schuylkill River on Fairgrounds designed by Herman J. Schwarzmann (1846-1891), a noted German born architect who practiced in Philadelphia and New York City. The grounds contained five major buildings: the Main Exposition Building, Memorial Hall (Art Gallery), Machinery Hall, Agriculture Hall, and Horticulture Hall. Although, in addition to these buildings, approximately 250 smaller structures were constructed by states, countries, companies, and other Centennial bureaus that focused on particular displays or services. Overall, nearly ten million visitors attended the exposition and thirty seven countries participated.

Interestingly, while visiting the Philadelphia Museum of Art a few weeks ago, I saw a pair of outstanding vases that were displayed in Philadelphia in 1876. According to the museum, "This pair of vases commemorating the years 1776 and 1876 was designed and made specifically for the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition. In addition to the Seal of the United States, which appears on both vases, the 1776 vase is decorated with references - a bust of George Washington, the names of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and canons above images of the sea - the country's struggle for independence. The 1876 vase features a bust of America and the names of the presidents from Washington to Grant along with depictions of wheat and fruit that suggest the young nation's prosperity. Both vases are mounted with bronze winged figures of victory and fame."

The large vases were designed by Felix Bracquemond (1833-1914), modeled by Eugene Delaplanche (1836-1891) and made by Haviland & Company in Limoges, France. 

A Pair of Vases Manufactured for the Centennial Exposition in 1876 

Vases Commemorating 1776 and 1876

Manufactured for the Centennial Exposition of 1876 in Philadelphia

Made by Haviland & Company in Limoges, France

The Applied Figures are Made from Bronze

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Photo Courtesy: Philadelphia Museum of Art

A View of One of the Eagles on One of the Vase

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Photo Courtesy: Philadelphia Museum of Art

View of Base on the 1876 Vase

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Photo Courtesy: Philadelphia Museum of Art

Another View of the 1876 Vase

These Figures are Made from Bronze

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Photo Courtesy: Philadelphia Museum of Art

Information Displayed with the Vases

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Photo Courtesy: Philadelphia Museum of Art

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An Intriguing Red Earthenware Sherd Recovered from the Circa 1721 Samuel Bell House in Salem, Mass.

This is another example of what I feel is some of the exciting archaeological evidence included in my forthcoming book from Historic Beverly in Massachusetts, titled, A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod -- While meeting with a homeowner yesterday at the circa 1721 Samuel Bell (b. 1695) House in Salem, Massachusetts, I looked over a number of artifacts that were recovered a few years ago in the backyard when the foundation had some work done to it. In fact, I was really surprised to see this red earthenware sherd decorated in a raspberry, black and cream colored glaze. The reason for this is because it seems to be the same colors and glaze technique as that found on a rare style of jar. The only difference in the color of the glaze in these two pieces is the lighting that was used for the photographs.

I further explain the significance of these jars in my forthcoming book, seeing that they may be related to archaeological evidence recovered at the site of the Bradford family pottery in Kingston, Massachusetts kept at Plimouth Plantation in Plymouth, Massachusetts and in the Lura Woodside Watkins (1897-1982) Collection at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.

Interestingly, the Bradfords are known to have shipped production as far south as Cape Cod during this period. And while it may seem unusual for domestic red earthenware to have been shipped to Salem in the 1800s, considering the industry that existed in South Danvers/Peabody, nothing is out of the question. For instance, Philadelphia slipware has been recovered in some contexts Salem, along with wares from other areas as well. Nevertheless though, I think this is an interesting comparison!

Red Earthenware Sherd Recovered from the Circa 1721 Samuel Bell House in Salem, Mass.

(Left) Early 19th Century New England Red Earthenware Jar

Possibly Made by the Bradford Family in Kingston, Mass.

(Right) What  Appears to be a Matching Glazed Red Earthenware Sherd

Recovered in the Backyard of the Ca. 1721 Samuel Bell House in Salem, Mass.

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The Ca. 1721 Samuel Bell House in Salem, Mass.

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New Book Update: An Outstanding Green Glazed Red Earthenware Jar from Southeastern Massachusetts

This post provides a quick update about my forthcoming book from Historic Beverly in Beverly, Massachusetts, titled, A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod - The book will be about 375 pages and it will include over 400 pictures. This will also be my fifth publication in my pottery book series through Historic Beverly.

Although, this late eighteenth or early nineteenth century green glazed red earthenware lidded jar from southeastern Massachusetts is without a doubt one of my favorite pieces illustrated in the book, along with being discussed in detail in one of the chapters. For those who read this website, you may recall that I was in search of a similar jar a few months ago that sold in the Christopher Huntington Sale in Maine in 1974. This is not the same jar, but actually in my opinion perhaps even a better example. I only know about two green glazed pieces like this in existence today.

An Outstanding Green Glazed Red Earthenware Jar from Southeastern Massachusetts

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

Attributed to Southeastern Massachusetts

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Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

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