A Good 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar from New York that was Included in a Sale Today at Wooten & Wooten in South Carolina

A good large nineteenth century red earthenware jar was included in a group lot today at Wooten & Wooten in Camden, South Carolina. A similar jar although with slip-decoration was previously owned by noted New York archaeologist and museum specialist George Hamell, which he attributed to New York. 

However, archaeological evidence kept as part of the Lura Woodside Watkins (1897-1982) Collection at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. suggests that these type of jars were produced after 1819 at the Elijiah Cornell (1771-1862) Pottery in DeRuyter, New York, whereas Cornell previously worked in New York City and trained at the industry in Bristol County, Massachusetts. There are also only a small group of these jars that are known to exist today, whereas here is a link to the example that was owned by Hamell: https://www.crockerfarm.com/stoneware-auction/2011-03-05/lot-85/Outstanding-Rochester-Genesee-Valley-New-York-Redware-Jar/

According to Watkins' book, Early New England Potters and Their Wares, "The eighteenth century Chace Pottery in Somerset, Massachusetts (southeastern Massachusetts) was indirectly responsible for the first steps in the career of a famous man when, on January 28, 1791, Elijah Cornell was apprenticed to Asa Chace. This young man's mother, Sarah (Miller) Cornell had made a second marriage with Asa's cousin, Benjamin Chace, and Elijah was no doubt familiar with the pottery from earliest childhood. 

Born in Swansea, Massachusetts in 1771, he had got what schooling he could receive there and had done a little teaching, but he evidently had a bent for the potter's craft. After his apprenticeship was ended, he worked as a journeyman potter. But for an ambitious youth, this was not enough.

In 1805, he sold out his holdings in Swansea and went to Westchester Landing in New York City. Cornell's subsequent history is one of many moves and much hardship, but gains interest because he was the father of Ezra Cornell, founder of Cornell University. 

Little Ezra gained the fortitude that was his while working in his father's redware pottery. In 1819, the family settled in DeRuyter, New York, where, after a period of teaching, Elijah again established a pottery, which Ezra helped to build. 

In 1943, we visited this site and were rewarded by the discovery of a small collection of fragments. Elijah had evidently advanced somewhat beyond the rather restrained technique of the Massachusetts potters, for in DeRuyter he decorated a good deal of his ware with slip of two colors, black and white, either marbled or applied in bold wavy lines against backgrounds of contrasting hue.""

Furthermore, the history of this business is also a subject of a chapter in my fifth book, titled, A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod: https://historicbeverly.net/product/a-celebrated-industry-the-historic-wares-of-southeastern-massachusetts-bristol-county-and-cape-cod/.

Nevertheless, I was quite surprised that this lot was passed today at $100 because the jar had some bad cracks, although I thought it was a significant type of production that should be recognized. In fact, I would have bought it, but I already own a few examples of this kind of jar, including one that is glazed in a mottled green with black bands surrounding it. But in terms of rarity, I know of less than ten jars like this that survive today, and to be more specific, I can only think of six, including this object.

However, if someone is reading this post who might be interested in owning this jar and they did not know about the auction, then I would suggest contacting the auctioneer. These types of jars were also thrown in two parts and then joined together, similar to some of the larger stoneware jars manufactured in the South in the 1800s.

19th Century Red Earthenware Jar from New York

(Left) 19th C. Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to the Cornell Pottery in DeRuyter, N.Y.

Elijah Cornell Established the Pottery in DeRuyter in 1819

Stands 16" Tall

The Other Jar May Have Also Been Made in New York

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Wooten & Wooten

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

A Late 18th Century Red Earthenware Jar Adorned with Figures of St. Ambrose that is Owned Privately in New York City

A potter named Jacob Bock (1789-1867), who was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in 1789, however he later migrated to Waterloo, Ontario, Canada to eventually work as a potter (among other job titles), made some red earthenware tobacco jars there with lids surrounded with images of Saint Ambrose (ca. 340-397 AD) in the 1820s. There is an example of this type of production in the collection of the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, as well as various private collections.

Interestingly, this red earthenware jar looks just like the examples made by Bock in Canada with a different lid, although it is from an earlier period, whereas it is privately owned in New York City today. Furthermore, the base of this jar is inscribed “D.B.R. 1793.” There is also more information inscribed in the center of the base. This style of the inscription is completely different than what Bock is known for with inscribed objects in Ontario that survive today from the 1820s.

Nevertheless, images of Aurelius Ambrosius are found on a variety of decorative displays at major art museums around the world today, such as pottery, paintings and stained glass. Saint Ambrose was born in one of Germany’s oldest cities, Trier, and his father was an important Roman soldier. He is considered to be one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the 4th century, and was the Roman governor of Liguria and Emilia, based in Milan, before being made Bishop of Milan by popular acclamation in 374 AD, even though he was not even a priest.

For many years, Ambrose defended the faith of the Church, writing hymns and influencing other Christian songwriters. After Ambrose’s death on April 4, 397 AD and because of his love of Christianity, the Church declared Saint Ambrose a Doctor of the Church, and his life has been celebrated ever since. However, these type of jars are to my knowledge, the only examples of seventeenth, eighteenth or nineteenth century utilitarian pottery made in America or Canada which honor the life of Aurelius Ambrosius. In fact, they more than likely represent Bock’s (and perhaps another potter’s?) faith and his commitment to his church.

Thoughts?

Red Earthenware Jar Adorned with Figures of St. Ambrose

Late 18th Century Red Earthenware Jar

Adorned with Figures of Saint Ambrose (ca. 340-397 AD)

Very Similar to Jars Made by Jacob Bock in Ontario in the 1820s

The Base is Inscribed with Dots “D.B.R. 1793”

More Information is Inscribed in the Center of the Base

The Way Bock Inscribed Inscriptions is Different than this Technique 

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

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

A Signed 19th Century Red Earthenware Rundlet Made by Jacob Bock in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Another feature story that I am currently working on for print publication is some religious red earthenware made by a specific potter in Ontario, Canada in the 1800s. Interestingly, not a lot of this type of production was produced in America in the nineteenth century, especially before 1860, whereas there is an example of a slip-script decorated red earthenware plate made by John Betts Gregory (1782-1842) in Clinton, New York, circa 1810-1829 that is adorned with religious script, as well as a variety of religious script decorated red earthenware plates and platters made at the Asa Edward Smith (1798-1880) Pottery in Norwalk, Connecticut, circa 1825-1850s or so. I actually posted about this type of production on this website earlier this week in search of some information for a lengthy feature story that I am working on: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/01/in-search-for-more-information.html.

The religious wares made at Smith's business are known to have been decorated with a variety of religious script, which included the names of Saints. Furthermore, a potter named Jacob Bock (1789-1867), who was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in 1789, although he migrated to Waterloo, Ontario, Canada to work as a potter, where he made some red earthenware tobacco jars surrounded with images of Saint Ambrose (ca. 340-397 AD). 

There does not seem to be much for supporting evidence, but I am trying to learn if this was something Bock had previously produced in Pennsylvania or whether it was unique to his production in Ontario. There are a small group of these jars known to exist today in both American and Canadian private and museum collections, some of which are signed by Bock while he was working in Waterloo.

However, I think all of these stories and the religious wares that were produced are important to tell from Gregory to Day to Bock, seeing that all of this religious production is related. As a result, I am writing a three-part series about each of these potters and their religious wares. Here is a link to the first part of this series that was just published in the January 12, 2024 issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly, titled, Two Important New York Slip-Script Red Earthenware Plates: https://www.antiquesandthearts.com/two-important-new-york-slip-script-red-earthenware-plates/.

Nevertheless, posted below is a nineteenth century black glazed red earthenware rundlet that can probably easily be mistaken for American production, but this object is inscribed "1827 Waterloo," and was made by Bock in Canada. It is owned today by the Joseph Schneider Haus House Museum in Kitchener, Ontario.

19th C. Rundlet Made by Jacob Bock in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

19th Century Black Glazed Red Earthenware Rundlet

Attributed to Jacob Bock in Waterloo, Ontario Canada

Inscribed "1827 Waterloo"

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Joseph Schneider Haus House Museum in Kitchener, Ontario

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

A Very Good Selection of Red Earthenware that Sold Today at New England Auctions in Branford, Connecticut

Published in the summer of 2010 in a story written by Johanna McBrien for Antiques & Fine Art Magazine is an article, titled, Made in Maine, which highlights the folk art collection of Ray Egan in Boothbay, Maine, whereas illustrated in that article are good examples of red earthenware made in Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont. 

Some of these objects were also previously owned as part of Ron and Penny Dionne's collection in Connecticut; that longtime collection was sold to Egan in the early 2000s and the majority of it has since been brokered privately to a folk art collection on the West Coast. The Dionne Collection is also pictured throughout my seven-part book series, and will continue to be referenced in future publications, including my forthcoming 625-page New Hampshire book, due out sometime later this year.

Interestingly, some red earthenware from the Egan Collection sold earlier today at New England Auctions in Branford, Connecticut. Although, most of the these objects do not seem to have been a part of the Dionne Collection, and rather collected at another time.

One of the most sought after objects was a nineteenth century red earthenware butter churn made somewhere in northern New England, perhaps in Vermont, which sold for $2,600 plus the buyer's premium: https://auctions.neauction.com/online-auctions/new-haven-auctions/fine-maine-redware-churn-5663861.

Another very good object was a nineteenth century lidded red earthenware jar most likely made at the industry in North Yarmouth, Maine that sold for $4,200 plus the buyer's premium: https://auctions.neauction.com/online-auctions/new-haven-auctions/redware-jar-with-lid-5663867. These types of jars are also illustrated throughout my latest published book, titled, From One Town Came Many: The Red Earthenware Industry of Ancient North Yarmouth, Maine: https://historicbeverly.net/product/94597/.

Red Earthenware from the Ray Egan Collection in Boothbay, Maine

These Objects Sold Today at New England Auctions in Connecticut

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: New England Auctions

The sale also featured an outstanding selection of nineteenth century slip-script decorated red earthenware from the collection of Chris and Elaina Wieser in Connecticut. My personal favorite object in the sale was a slip-script plate made at the Asa Edward Smith (1798-1880) Pottery in Norwalk, Connecticut, that read, "Our Lady of Mount Carmel." This plate previously sold at Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland.

According to Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, "Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as patroness of the Carmelite Order. The first Carmelites were Christian hermits living on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land during the late twelfth and early to mid-thirteenth century. They built in the midst of their hermitages a chapel which they dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, whom they conceived of in chivalric terms as the Lady of the place. Our Lady of Mount Carmel was adopted in the nineteenth century as the patron saint of Chile in South America.

Since the fifteenth century, popular devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel has centered on the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, also known as the Brown Scapular. Traditionally, Mary is said to have given the Scapular to an early Carmelite named Saint Simon Stock (1165-1265). The liturgical feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is celebrated on the 16th of July."

This is a type of production that was in many ways unique to the slip-decorated red earthenware manufactured in Norwalk in the nineteenth century, and there are a group of these types of religious plates known to exist today. In fact, I think it is a very important aspect of red earthenware production in America in the 1800s; I have even speculated through the years that some of the name plates that exist from Norwalk, such a plate decorated with a name like "Mary" or "James" may also be related to this type of religious production. Nevertheless, this plate sold for $2,600 plus the buyer's premium: https://auctions.neauction.com/online-auctions/new-haven-auctions/redware-charger---our-lady-of-mt-carmel-5663874.

Furthermore, this type of religious script is also discussed in my most recent published feature story in the January 12, 2024 issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly, titled, Two Important New York Slip-Script Red Earthenware Plates: https://www.antiquesandthearts.com/two-important-new-york-slip-script-red-earthenware-plates/.

Note: This is also a subject that I am writing a lengthy feature story about, whereas for more information, see the other post from today: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/01/in-search-for-more-information.html.

19th Century Slip-Script Religious Red Earthenware Plate

Attributed to Norwalk, Connecticut

Inscribed in Slip, "Our Lady of Mount Carmel"

Measures 14 1/2" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: New England Auctions

The Wieser Collection also consisted of some other very good examples of slip-script decorated red earthenware made in Norwalk, where some of the objects were previously owned by noted collectors Lewis Scranton in Connecticut and Sam Forsythe in Ohio. 

Additionally, some of this type of production has also been uncovered from various archaeological contexts in New York City, whereas a variety of this type of archaeology recovered from places like Manhattan and Staten Island is illustrated in my sixth book, titled, A City on the River: The Early Red Earthenware of the Hartford, Connecticut Area: https://historicbeverly.net/product/a-city-on-the-river-the-early-red-earthenware-of-the-hartford-connecticut-area/.

Note: The "Lafayette" platter sold for $7,500 plus the buyer's premium and the "Lafayette" plate sold for $8,500 plus the buyer's premium.

Collection of Six 19th Century Slip-Script Red Earthenware Objects

All Likely Made in Norwalk, Connecticut

See the Auction Catalog for the Price Results

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: New England Auctions

The sale also featured a colorfully glazed example of a late eighteenth or early nineteenth century red earthenware jar made in Bristol County, Massachusetts, circa 1780-1830, although there was restoration to the base of the jar and to the interior. The jar sold for $600 plus the buyer's premium: https://auctions.neauction.com/online-auctions/new-haven-auctions/bristol-co-ri-redware-jar-5663740. This type of jar is also illustrated throughout my fifth book, titled, A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod: https://historicbeverly.net/product/a-celebrated-industry-the-historic-wares-of-southeastern-massachusetts-bristol-county-and-cape-cod/.

For more information about these objects and the sale prices, as well as other American and Canadian pottery that sold today - see the auction catalog: https://auctions.neauction.com/auctions/new-haven-auctions/americana-folk-art-native-american-from-estates-collections-14423/catalog#catalog.

Late 18th or Early Nineteenth Century Red Earthenware Jar

Attributed to Bristol County, Massachusetts

From the Collection of Ron and Penny Dionne

Circa 1780-1830

Stands 10" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: New England Auctions

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

In Search of Any More Information - Religious Slip-Script Decorated Red Earthenware Made in Norwalk, Connecticut in the 1800s and Related Wares

I am working on a lengthy feature story for print publication about the religious slip-script decorated red earthenware predominantly manufactured at the Asa Edward Smith (1798-1880) Pottery in Norwalk, Connecticut, circa 1825-1850s or so. If you happen to own or known the location of a script decorated object that is related to this production, whereas the script is not included in this group, and you would like to have it published, please contact me!

Note: There have been some very generous replies so far!

Various Types of Religious Slip-Script Decorated Red Earthenware

Examples of Religious Slip-Script Decorated Red Earthenware Made in Norwalk, Connecticut in the 1800s and Related Wares

See Above for More Information

Photos Courtesy: Various Sources

19th Century Red Earthenware Slip-Script Plate Made in Norwalk, Connecticut

Inscribed "St. Thilarion Abbot"

Recovered in New York City

See Above for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Scott Jordan

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

A 19th Century Red Earthenware Crock Found in an Early House in Sandwich, New Hampshire

In the spring of 2023, I acquired the large nineteenth century double-handled red earthenware crock with a mottled green glaze shown on the top row from a friend, who purchased a group of pottery that was thought to have been found in a barn of some sorts in central New Hampshire. 

Fast forward to a few days ago, while I was in the Lakes Region in New Hampshire working on a forthcoming feature story for Antiques And The Arts Weekly, I learned about the crock shown on the bottom row; this crock was just discovered in an old house in Sandwich, New Hampshire, which is located just to the north of Moultonborough and the most northern part of Lake Winnipesaukee. The thought is that this crock was made somewhere in the area, whereas there was production in Moultonborough and Meredith, among possibly other areas in the Lake Winnipesaukee area in the 1800s. 

Furthermore, both of these objects do share similarities in the way they were produced, and wares made to the north of Concord, New Hampshire is a subject that can be overlooked today. Northern New Hampshire red earthenware production is also a subject that is discussed in detail in my forthcoming 625-page New Hampshire book, titled, An Influential Family of Early Potters: The Clarks of New Hampshire and Related Businesses. In fact, among the potters that were influenced by the Clarks was surprising Gerry Williams (1926-2014), who was a part of the important studio pottery movement in New Hampshire in the twentieth century, a subject that I highlight and explain in detail in the last chapter of the book.

Red Earthenware Crock Found in an Early House in Sandwich, N.H.

(Top) 19th Century Double-Handled Red Earthenware Crock

Recently Discovered in Central New Hampshire

Possibly Circa 1830-1850

Stands 13 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

(Bottom) 19th Century Double-Handled Red Earthenware Crock

Recently Discovered in an Old House in Sandwich, N.H.

Possibly Circa 1830-1860

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Red Hill Resale

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

A Preview of a Forthcoming Feature Story in Antiques And The Arts Weekly - the Career of Russell G. Crook

Here is a preview of my next published feature story that will be available soon in Antiques And The Arts Weekly, which will focus on the career of Russell G. Crook (1869-1955), a multi-skilled artist (and potter) in South Boston and South Lincoln, Massachusetts, along with a stoneware vase that he made about 1910 that I recently found in Peabody, Massachusetts. 

Although, as part of that article, yesterday I visited The Kona Fountain that was presented to the Town of Center Harbor along Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire in 1907. It was the gift of Herbert Dumaresq, a Boston merchant and a partner at Jordan Marsh, who called his Center Harbor retreat the “Kona Estate.” Kona Farm, off Long Island in neighboring Moultonborough was one of the most magnificent estates on the lake. During the dedication on September 23, 1907, Reverend William P. White of Moultonborough spoke of the legend of Kona, a young brave Native American, whose figure graces the huge granite bowl of the fountain. The boy is seen clutching a wild goose and the water rises from the throat of the bird struggling to take flight. Kona’s story holds a strong local history of Native American lure along Lake Winnipesaukee.

Furthermore, I actually brought this stoneware vase to the fountain yesterday, which has been covered for the winter, however this fountain is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and it will be illustrated in the article. Afterwards, I checked out the Kona Estate, which is really cool but closed for the winter.

Interestingly, though, the entire roof of the Kona Estate is covered with terracotta tiles, which when I was looking at them yesterday, I considered the fact of whether they were made in America or another country.

Note: For more information about both of these historic places - check out a video that I posted to my Instagram account yesterday, whereas a link to the account can also be found in the right column on this website.

Preview of a Forthcoming Feature Story in Antiques And The Arts Weekly

Early 20th Century Salt-Glazed Stoneware Vase with Cobalt and Black

Attributed to Russell Crook (1869-1955) in South Lincoln, Mass.

Appears to be Decorated with Cats Highlighted in Cobalt

Found Recently in Peabody, Mass.

Circa 1910

Stands 3 3/4" Tall, A Very Rare Smaller Size from Crook

See Article for More Information

Another View of the Vase

See Article for More Information

The Kona Foundation in Center Harbor, N.H.

It Has Been Covered for the Winter

Although It Will Be Illustrated in the Article

It is Also Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

The Fountain was Installed in 1907

See Article for More Information

The National Register of Historic Places Plaques for the Kona Fountain

See Article for More Information

Rededication/Restoration Plaque at the Kona Fountain in Center Harbor, N.H.

The Fountain was Restored in Rhode Island

Dated July 4, 1991

See Article for More Information

The Kona Estate in Moultonborough, N.H.

See Article for More Information

The Kona Estate in Moultonborough, N.H.

See Article for More Information

The Kona Estate in Moultonborough, N.H.

See Article for More Information

The Kona Estate in Moultonborough, N.H.

See Article for More Information

The Kona Estate in Moultonborough, N.H.

See Article for More Information

The Kona Estate in Moultonborough, N.H.

See Article for More Information

The Kona Estate in Moultonborough, N.H.

See Article for More Information

The Kona Estate in Moultonborough, N.H.

See Article for More Information

The Kona Estate in Moultonborough, N.H.

See Article for More Information

The Kona Estate in Moultonborough, N.H.

See Article for More Information

The Kona Estate in Moultonborough, N.H.

See Article for More Information

The Kona Estate in Moultonborough, N.H.

See Article for More Information

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