An Unusual Example of Signed American Art Pottery Found at an Estate Sale Near Portland, Oregon

Earlier this summer, I purchased this American-made green and white colored stoneware ancient Greek formed vase that I was told about by Robert Girouard. The vase is molded, while the handles were applied by hand. I also suspect the vase dates from the first quarter of the twentieth century.

Interestingly, I was told by the antiques dealer that they just bought the vase at an onsite estate sale near Portland, Oregon. They had thought this was a Rockingham-type glaze.

I had initially wondered if this may have been an early version of art pottery made on the West Coast, however, it does not seem to fit with any of the known early artware made at businesses like the Pacific Pottery/Stoneware Company in Oregon, which was established in 1890, as well as Fred Robertson's (1869-1952) Roblin Pottery in San Francisco and later Hollywood Pottery in Los Angeles. I also understand that there were a number of other art potters located in the western United States, but this object does not seem to fit with any of that production. But if anyone reading this knows otherwise - it would be great to hear from you! I was also curious to learn if this was an early version of art pottery made in western Canada, but I found no evidence to support that idea either.

Nevertheless, I actually think the production of this vase fits more with artware produced in the Midwestern part of the United States, whereas, it does share similarities in the way it was made to some of the art pottery made in Ohio. But the reason I purchased this piece, aside from the form and the beautiful glaze, is because the base is signed in script, "GGJ," which most likely represents the person who made this object. 

I think the signature on this vase makes it a rare object to find today - although, it is unclear to me why this piece was signed, whether it was simply because the person wanted to sign the vase, possibly it was an object intended for personal use or given as a gift - or perhaps it was because of the unusual glaze. 

An Unusual Example of Signed American Art Pottery

Early 20th Century American Molded Stoneware Vase

Most Likely Inspired From Ancient Greek Pottery

Recently Found at an Estate Sale Near Portland, Oregon

The Handles Were Applied by Hand

Possibly Made in the Midwestern Part of the United States

Possibly Made in Ohio

Probably Circa 1900-1925

Stands 5 3/8" Tall and Measures 6 3/4" Wide

The Base is Signed "GGJ"

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Vase

See Article for More Information

View of One of the Applied Handles

See Article for More Information

View of the Other Applied Handle

See Article for More Information

View of the Interior

There was Never a Lid

See Article for More Information

View of the Base

The Base is Signed "GGJ"

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Base

The Base is Signed "GGJ"

See Article for More Information

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

18th or Early 19th Century Red Earthenware Syrup Jar Sells in Amesbury, Massachusetts

According to an article written by Barbara H. Magid for the 2005 edition of Ceramics in America, titled, Sugar Refining Pottery from Alexandria and Baltimore: "From at least the Middle Ages until the nineteenth century the sugar refining industry used two unique forms of industrial pottery: thick rimmed syrup jars (pots) and conical sugar molds. These distinctive forms have been found at archaeological sites in Cyprus, England (Southampton, Exeter, York and Bristol), France (Sadirac, Rouen and Bourdeaux), the West Indies, Faneuil Hall in Boston, the Lambert-Douglas Plantation site in Trenton, New Jersey, and the Metropolitan Detention Center site in Philadelphia. They were also used for nineteenth century sugar refineries in Alexandria, Virginia and Baltimore, Maryland."

These types of jars have also been discovered in eighteenth century archaeological contexts throughout coastal New England, including Portsmouth, New Hampshire, York, Maine and Charlestown, Massachusetts. I have also found a few intact jars through the years, such as examples found in Haverhill, Massachusetts, Annisquam, Massachusetts and Arundel, Maine.

Furthermore, thanks to Ryan Beckman, who produces maple sugar at Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts each March, I learned a few yeas ago that the marks on these types of jars were used as a grading process, "A+, AA, B, BB, C. etc." 

Nevertheless, this eighteenth or early nineteenth century red earthenware syrup jar just sold in John McInnis' most recent auction in Amesbury, Massachusetts. The jar is marked below the rim with two slash marks, which I suspect was also possibly used in the grading process - although, the use of slash marks was also a technique or style used to mark some jars made by stoneware potters working in the South in the 1800s. This particular jar may have also been produced in the Caribbean.

The jar sold for $100 plus the auction premium.

18th or Early 19th Century Red Earthenware Syrup Jar

18th or Early Century Red Earthenware Molasses Jar 

Possibly Manufactured in the Caribbean

Stands 17" Tall

A Funnel Used for Sugar Production Would Have Sat On Top of this Jar

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: John McInnis

A View of the Two Slash Marks

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: John McInnis

A View of the Base

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: John McInnis

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

A Rare Hand-Thrown Vase Found in Massachusetts Made at the Zanesville Stoneware Company in Ohio Perhaps with Ties to Norwalk, Connecticut

The Zanesville Stoneware Company (1889-2002) operated for 115 years in Zanesville, Ohio under the direction of three generations of the Milman Linn family; Milman Linn, Sr., Milman Linn, Jr., and Milman "Bud" Linn. In their early years they produced standard items like crocks, churns, jugs, and jars, but eventually moved to garden ware. Its durability and wide range of glaze combinations, including eye-catching "drip" and "overflow" glazes, was extremely popular and garden ware became the company's specialty. "Hank" (Lawrence F.) Pickrull (1879-1950) continued the practice of hand throwing vessels for the Zanesville Stoneware Company long after their contemporaries, creating extremely large pieces that were very popular. The company was sold to the Robinson-Ransbottom Pottery Company (1920-2005) in 2002.

According to an article written by James L. Murphy for The Journal of the American Art Pottery Association in 2002, titled, Zanesville Stoneware Company: After 115 Years, "The Zanesville Stoneware story began in 1883 with the formation of the Ohio Encaustic Tile Co., a would-be rival to Zanesville's famous American Encaustic Tiling Co. However, matters did not go well for this fledgling decorative tile factory. It was abandoned by 1886. A new firm, E. G. Bowen and Co., began operation at the site on Coopermill Road the following year. In 1889 it was reorganized as the Zanesville Stoneware Co. At this point, Milman Linn, Sr., joined the company as vice-president. He quickly rose to become president. Originally, the pottery produced a standard line of crocks, churns, jugs, stew pans, butter jars, and milk pans, as well as a stenciled stoneware two-part water filter that remained in production for many years. Although their Albany slip-covered milk crock was elaborately marked on the bottom with large raised letters, most of the ware was unmarked. When it was marked, a cobalt stencil was generally applied in a rather slop.

Zanesville Stoneware was the first pottery in Ohio to use a muffle updraft kiln, which protected the ware from direct flame and made for more even burning. In 1889, a state factory inspector listed the firm as employing 25 people, who were making stoneware and flowerpots. By 1901, the pottery employed 50 men and one woman.

Around 1910, the company began the manufacture of garden ware and shortly thereafter developed a fine matte green glaze. Following World War I, it expanded its glaze lines, to include a variety of drip and multicolored “overflow” glazes.

By 1921, there were 100 employees, mostly men. Along with the artware - stoneware filters, cuspidors, flowerpots and jardinieres were still being made. In the late 1920s, tea sets were produced in a variety of colors. Although the company continued production of standard stoneware crocks, jugs, and kitchenware into the 1920s, including the decorated water filters featured on their letterhead, it was about this time that garden and patio ware also became very fashionable. Zanesville Stoneware began specializing in this product and never stopped—until this year."

Interestingly, later wares were frequently embossed “ZSC” on the base, whereas most Zanesville Stoneware is marked only by an impressed shape number. Some pieces were even made for specific florists and potteries, such as Zanesville’s Marco Pottery and The Old Pot Shop of Norwalk, Connecticut.

Nevertheless, this rare glossy yellow glazed hand-thrown vase that I previously wrote about has been accurately identified as an object made at the Zanesville Stoneware Company, most likely sometime from the late 1920s through the 1940s. The vase was recently discovered in a collectible or design type shop in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Furthermore, I suspect it is possible that this vase may have been thrown by Hank Pickrull, but I am not positive of that - and perhaps the reason I found it in New England was possibly because it was made as an object sold at the Old Pot Shop in Norwalk, Connecticut in the 1930s.

According to the Connecticut Historical Society, "Francis J. Duggan (alternately spelled Dugan) (1865-1944) was a twentieth-century art potter working at the Old Pot Shop in Norwalk. He was born on February 12, 1865 in Norwalk. 

Duggan was employed as a potter at the Norwalk Pottery Company before 1891 (the company eventually turned into a sales organization selling pieces made by individual potters including Duggan), and in the 1890s, he was listed in directories as both a potter and optician. In 1907, he was listed in Norwalk directories as a Pottery Demonstrator. In 1921, he purchased land close to the Westport/Norwalk town line, and in 1922 his son Anthony was listed as a potter at the same address. In 1923, he was operating under the name of the Dugan Art Pottery, and in 1928 he listed his business as F.J. Dugan & Son, Art Pottery. In 1931, he adopted "The Old Pot Shop" as a legal trade name (although he may have used the name earlier). Francis J. Duggan and his son Anthony continued in business together until 1936, when Anthony moved to New York City. Dugan continued the business through World War II until his death on June 19, 1944 in Westport, Connecticut, although he may have ceased production as early as 1940. 

In 1945 and 1946 The Old Pot Shop remained in operation, run by Francis's son Rockwell, probably to sell off accumulated inventory. Subsequently, the name "Old Pot Shop" was sold to Caroline Kinney, an antique dealer. Dates of production for ceramics marked "Old Pot Shop / Norwalk / CT" are about 1930-1940."

A Rare Hand-Thrown Vase Made at the Zanesville Stoneware Company

20th Century Hand-Thrown Vase Made at the Zanesville Stoneware Company in Ohio

Possibly Thrown by "Hank" (Lawrence F.) Pickrull (1879-1950)

Unmarked Although this is the B7 Shape

This Object May Have Been Sold in Norwalk, CT in the 1930s

Otherwise Circa Late 1920s-1940s

Stands 11 1/8" Tall

See Article for More Information

A View of the Interior

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Interior

See Article for More Information

A View of the Base

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Base

See Article for More Information

(Left) 20th Century Hand-Thrown Vase Made at the Zanesville Stoneware Company

Marked on the Base "B7"

Decorated in an Azure Glaze

Circa Late 1920s-1940s

Stands About 11" Tall

See Article for More Information

Credit: Bill Paul

A View of the Base Impressed "B7"

The B7 mark is Found with Different Size Stamps and Even Sometimes Hand Written

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Joe Lyons

20th Century Hand-Thrown Vase Made at the Zanesville Stoneware Company

Made by "Hank" (Lawrence F.) Pickrull (1879-1950)

Circa 1930-1940

Stands 18" Tall

Signed Towards the Base "Pickrull"

The Base is Stamped "Old Pot Shop Norwalk CT"

The Base is also Marked with the Model Number "107"

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Thomas K. Libby Antiques

Signed Towards the Base "Pickrull"

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Thomas K. Libby Antiques

The Base is Stamped "Old Pot Shop Norwalk CT"

The Base is also Marked with the Model Number "107"

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Thomas K. Libby Antiques

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

An Update on My Forthcoming 527-Page Book About Red Earthenware Production in the Hartford, Connecticut Area

It has been a little while since I provided an update about my forthcoming sixth book, titled, A City on the River: The Early Red Earthenware of the Hartford, Connecticut Area - whereas, the 527-page book is finished and will hopefully be at the printer very soon. In fact, this wonderful nineteenth century red earthenware jar was just discovered by a picker in Connecticut and these are the final two pictures that I added to the book.

The jar is prominently stamped "T O GOODWIN," representing Thomas O'Hara Goodwin's (1796-1880) pottery business in the Elmwood section of West Hartford, Connecticut about 1825 or so. Thomas O'Hara was from the famed Goodwin family of potters - he was the second generation of family potters in the city, producing both red earthenware and stoneware, and utilizing this stamp on both types of pottery.

The book will include chapters on pottery production (and lots of archaeology and paper records) in the Hartford area before the American Revolution, at the site of the Richard Pitkin Glassworks after 1783 in East Hartford, red earthenware made by the Seymour family, pottery production by the Goodwin family, plenty of never before published archaeology from eighteenth and nineteenth century sites in the Hartford area, some incredible archaeology from sites along the Connecticut River, red earthenware made by Hervey Brooks (1779-1873), red earthenware made by Captain John Norton (1758-1828) in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont, some previously unknown red earthenware production in the Harford area, as well as a lot more! 

The list of museums and archaeology departments that contributed to the book is long - but they include: Connecticut Landmarks, the Haddam, Connecticut Historical Society, the Old Manchester Museum in Connecticut, Old Sturbridge Village, the Phelps-Hathaway House in Connecticut, Historic Deerfield, the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, the Webb-Deane-Stevens House in Wethersfield, Connecticut, the Noah Webster House & the West Hartford Historical Society, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the Connecticut Historical Society, among others. A number of great objects from private collections located all over the country will also be illustrated throughout the book!

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Marked "T O GOODWIN"

Made at the Thomas O'Hara Goodwin Pottery in West Hartford, Connecticut

Recently Discovered in Connecticut

Circa 1825 or So

Stands 8 1/4" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Jeff Pudlinski

A View of the Mark

Impressed "T O GOODWIN"

Photo Courtesy: Jeff Pudlinski

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

An Outstanding 20th Century Chinese Blue Glazed Red Earthenware Vase from Seagrove, North Carolina

There is no question that this is my favorite type of twentieth century red earthenware production from North Carolina! This excellent Chinese blue glazed red earthenware vase made in Seagrove, North Carolina after 1922 is marked on the base “Jugtown Ware.” The size of this vase is also one of the largest that I have seen standing just over eleven inches tall, where a number of the known vases in this shape are eight to nine inches in height, as well as not as wide towards the base.

Interestingly, a friend told me yesterday that he felt the form of this vase was inspired by ceramics made during the Han Dynasty in China; whereas, this type of production was directly inspired from ancient Chinese, Korean and Persian shapes as well as glazes that the proprietors and potter of this business studied at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan during this period. These types of wares were also sold in a store near the MET that the proprietors established, where some of the early Jugtown pottery was shipped to the New York City marketplace.

According to an academic thesis written by Mary Jean Crawford for the University of North Carolina in 1962, titled, Jugtown Pottery: History and Design, “When the present Jugtown first began operations in 1917, its output was almost exclusively the traditional and utilitarian shapes. But some years later, Tiffany Studios in New York, a customer of Jugtown Pottery, suggested that they make some decorative pieces.”

Chinese pottery found in museums and libraries in New York City, especially the Metropolitan Museum of Art, served as inspiration, with an emphasis of the pottery made during the Han, Tang and Sung dynasties. Artist Jacques Busbee (1870-1947) and Jugtown potter Ben Owen (1904-1983) brought these unfamiliar shapes to North Carolina, and ancient pottery made in China, Persia and Korea provided them with motivation.

Crawford additionally says, “The Chinese blue or blue-green glaze was Jugtown’s most prized glaze and, according to one authority, some of the best pieces of Jugtown Pottery, usually the Chinese translations, had the Chinese blue glaze. Mr Busbee mixed this glaze, and after his death, his wife Juliana Busbee (1876-1962) requested that, in memory of her husband, the blue-green glaze not be used on Jugtown Pottery. Ben Owen said only Mr Busbee knew the formula for this glaze.”

Juliana Busbee was also instrumental in the marketing of Jugtown Pottery in the north, by setting up a Village Store in Greenwich Village in New York City in the latter part of 1917, later located at 37 East 60th Street. The shop was originally stocked with wares made by utilitarian potters in North Carolina who had their own kick wheels, manufacturing shapes familiar to them, although the Busbees decided they wanted to go beyond this type of inventory. The Busbees eventually worked with such potters as J.H. Owen (1866-1923), Charlie Teague (1901-1938) and Ben Owen. The marketing efforts of the Busbees eventually paid off by the time the Village Store closed in the late 1920s, with a North Carolina business that was thriving, drawing the attention of pottery enthusiasts from all over, and creating a lasting legacy, where Jugtown Pottery is an institution for pottery production today.

To be honest - it actually surprises me that the Metropolitan Museum of Art does not have one of these jars, a Persian type jar and other types of early Jugtown Ware on display with the rest of the American art pottery in the museum's Americana Wing, especially since some of the early Jugtown pottery was directly inspired by objects owned by the MET. 

Furthermore, here is a link to a somewhat similar shaped and glazed jar that was acquired by the MET in 1913, which may in fact have been among the original sources of inspiration for these types of wares made in the 1920s and 1930s --

Link: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/49356

20th Century Chinese Blue Glazed Red Earthenware Vase from Seagrove, N.C.

Outstanding 20th Century Red Earthenware Vase Made in Seagrove, N.C.

The Chinese Blue Glaze and Form was Inspired from Objects Displayed at the MET in NYC

Impressed on the Base "Jugtown Ware"

Made After 1922

Stands 11 1/8" Tall

See Article for More Information

A View of One of the Handles

See Article for More Information

A View of the Mark on the Base

Impressed "Jugtown Ware"

See Article for More Information

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

A 19th Century Red Earthenware Flowerpot Possibly from Warren County, Ohio Sells in Cincinnati

Published in the February 28, 2020 issue of Antiques & Auction News is a research story I wrote about an important type of nineteenth century red earthenware production from Ohio, titled, A Look At Red Earthenware Made In Mason, Ohio: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2020/03/mason-warren-county-ohio-research-story.html.

In the article, I tried to emphasize the significance of this type of production, which I feel should be recognized on a national level. In fact, most of the information available about these types of wares today is thanks to the research of Ohio potter Greg Shooner, who kindly contributed some of the information and pictures that were published in the article.

Nevertheless, this wonderful large hand-thrown nineteenth century red earthenware flowerpot possibly made in Warren County just sold a few days ago as part of the Donald and Edythe Aukerman Collection at Caza Sikes in Cincinnati, Ohio. The flowerpot sold for $2,700 plus the auction premium ($3,456).

A 19th Century Warren, Ohio Flowerpot that Just Sold in Cincinnati

19th Century Hand-Thrown Handled Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Flowerpot

Possibly Made in Warren County, Ohio

Measures 13" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Caza Sikes

Another View of the Flowerpot

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Caza Sikes

View of the Interior

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Caza Sikes

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

My Latest Cover Story for Antiques & Auction News Available this Week in Brimfield, Massachusetts

Available this week during the opening day at some of the antique shows in Brimfield, Massachusetts is my latest cover story published in the September 2, 2022 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled, The Vickers Family Of Pennsylvania: Abolitionists, Farmers And Quaker Potters - A Short Examination Into A Unique American Ceramics Story.

Here is also a link to the online version of the story: https://antiquesandauctionnews.net/articles/The-Vickers-Family-Of-Pennsylvania%3A-Abolitionists%2C-Farmers-And-Quaker-Potters/

My Latest Cover Story for Antiques & Auction News

My Latest Cover Story Published in the Sept. 2, 2022 Issue of  Antiques & Auction News

It is Available this Week in Brimfield, Mass.

The Vickers Family Of Pennsylvania: Abolitionists, Farmers And Quaker Potters - A Short Examination Into A Unique American Ceramics Story.

See Article for More Information

My Latest Cover Story Published in the Sept. 2, 2022 Issue of  Antiques & Auction News

It is Available this Week in Brimfield, Mass.

The Vickers Family Of Pennsylvania: Abolitionists, Farmers And Quaker Potters - A Short Examination Into A Unique American Ceramics Story.

See Article for More Information

My Latest Cover Story Published in the Sept. 2, 2022 Issue of  Antiques & Auction News

It is Available this Week in Brimfield, Mass.

The Vickers Family Of Pennsylvania: Abolitionists, Farmers And Quaker Potters - A Short Examination Into A Unique American Ceramics Story.

See Article for More Information

My Latest Cover Story Published in the Sept. 2, 2022 Issue of  Antiques & Auction News

It is Available this Week in Brimfield, Mass.

The Vickers Family Of Pennsylvania: Abolitionists, Farmers And Quaker Potters - A Short Examination Into A Unique American Ceramics Story.

See Article for More Information

My Latest Cover Story Published in the Sept. 2, 2022 Issue of  Antiques & Auction News

It is Available this Week in Brimfield, Mass.

The Vickers Family Of Pennsylvania: Abolitionists, Farmers And Quaker Potters - A Short Examination Into A Unique American Ceramics Story.

See Article for More Information

My Latest Cover Story Published in the Sept. 2, 2022 Issue of  Antiques & Auction News

It is Available this Week in Brimfield, Mass.

The Vickers Family Of Pennsylvania: Abolitionists, Farmers And Quaker Potters - A Short Examination Into A Unique American Ceramics Story.

See Article for More Information

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