But the aspect of this company's production that I probably enjoy most of all is the Grecian-style wares, first made during the 1897-1901 period, which happens to be the period the business was known as the Merrimac Ceramic Company. This is certainly a brand of production that is not widely known today.
For example, the rarest objects produced as part of this brand are likely the molded Grecian wares that Nickerson created in the late-1800s from actual ancient Grecian vases in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. This also must have been a style of pottery in limited production, seeing how little of it survives today.
Although, while I cannot prove that this small vase is modeled after an object in the MFA's collection, I can say that it is a Grecian style product made in Newburyport before 1902, since the base is faintly marked "Merrimac Ceramic Company."
This vase recently sold at California Historical Design in Alemeda, California, where there is apparently a demand for Merrimac Company products.
Note: Below I have posted part of a story I wrote a few years ago about this Newburyport company, as well as the Merrimac vases from the Ellison Collection that are on display at the Met in Manhattan.
Grecian-Style Vase - Merrimac Ceramic Company
Late-19th Century Grecian-Style Vase
Made at the Merrimac Ceramic Company in Newburyport, Mass.
Stands 2" Tall and Measures 4" in Diameter
Circa 1897-1901
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: California Historical Design
Another View of the Vase
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: California Historical Design
View of the Base
The Base is Faintly Marked "Merrimac Ceramic Company"
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: California Historical Design
The Merrimac Ceramic Company (1897-1901)
Thomas Nickerson established the 'Merrimac Ceramic Company' in Newburyport, Massachusetts in 1897. Nickerson was an English-trained potter, who had moved south from Portland, Maine. The pottery was given its name after the Merrimack River, which flowed along the city to the north. The business was founded just to the west of where the Newburyport Fire Department is located today. A condominium development now resides in place of where this business was once located; however, before the condos were built, a lot of archaeology was saved now owned by the Museum of Old Newbury.
The Merrimac Ceramic Company was a unique business when compared to many similar businesses during the period. Nickerson focused on terra-cotta flower pots, garden products, floral wares and other utilitarian necessities; although, his business model was also different when compared to similar Massachusetts companies from the same period.
Major companies just to the south in Chelsea, Massachusetts (Low Art Tile Works, Chelsea Keramic Art Works, Chelsea Pottery U.S.), Dedham, Massachusetts (Dedham Pottery) and South Boston, Massachusetts (William Grueby Pottery) operated with different business models than did Nickerson. The products made at the Merrimac Ceramic Company usually took the forms of vases, garden urns and flower pots; whereas, the company's counterparts focused more towards art pottery, architectural elements, and products intended for decoration and formal dining. Nickerson’s company was really a shadow of how the New England utilitarian potter's industry had appeared years before.
Initially, Nickerson was not exclusively an art potter; instead, he did what many utilitarian potters would have done to stay in business - he made utilitarian products that would sell – and, it just so happens that the utilitarian demand evolved into a need for garden products and floral wares in the late nineteenth and early twentieth-centuries.
Major companies just to the south in Chelsea, Massachusetts (Low Art Tile Works, Chelsea Keramic Art Works, Chelsea Pottery U.S.), Dedham, Massachusetts (Dedham Pottery) and South Boston, Massachusetts (William Grueby Pottery) operated with different business models than did Nickerson. The products made at the Merrimac Ceramic Company usually took the forms of vases, garden urns and flower pots; whereas, the company's counterparts focused more towards art pottery, architectural elements, and products intended for decoration and formal dining. Nickerson’s company was really a shadow of how the New England utilitarian potter's industry had appeared years before.
Initially, Nickerson was not exclusively an art potter; instead, he did what many utilitarian potters would have done to stay in business - he made utilitarian products that would sell – and, it just so happens that the utilitarian demand evolved into a need for garden products and floral wares in the late nineteenth and early twentieth-centuries.
Nickerson’s products in the first four years were sometimes marked with a paper label that read, "Merrimac Ceramic Company" with a picture of a sturgeon; however the earliest examples were rarely marked. The sturgeon is a fish native to the Merrimack River. The products were typical utilitarian garden products, such as terra-cotta flower pots, glazed red earthenware vases and related objects that could be used around the household and in the garden. These first few years laid a foundation for Nickerson’s company, which would see a major transformation in 1902 – and, Nickerson’s remarkable talents for form, glaze and proportion would soon become apparent.
The Merrimac Pottery Company (1902-1908)
In 1902, Thomas Nickerson changed the name and focus of his company to a more formal approach that drifted away from the traditional beliefs of utilitarian potters. The company became known as the 'Merrimac Pottery Company.' Rather than a paper label, an impressed mark was used on the base of products that read, 'MERRIMAC' with an image of a sturgeon. The company made colorful art pottery and exquisite garden pottery. This new direction allowed Nickerson to demonstrate his true skill as a potter. The art glazes were often breath-taking with a variety of vibrant colors that adorned accomplished forms.
Although, only one-year later, William Grueby’s company in South Boston claimed Nickerson was copying a green glaze that the Grueby Pottery had been using since the 1890s; however the Grueby Potter was unsuccessful in proving its lawsuit. The Newburyport Daily News published these comments in defense of the Merrimac Pottery Company:
Although, only one-year later, William Grueby’s company in South Boston claimed Nickerson was copying a green glaze that the Grueby Pottery had been using since the 1890s; however the Grueby Potter was unsuccessful in proving its lawsuit. The Newburyport Daily News published these comments in defense of the Merrimac Pottery Company:
“That accusation is not borne out by a careful study and comparison of both wares. Save in the color of certain green pieces, the resemblance is very little; and really the greens of Merrimac, so far as one writer has observed, are not at all comparable to Grueby, with its soft, glove-like surface and finish. The Merrimac has, however, so much to offer in scope of variety (and this cannot be said of Grueby) that very interesting and charming products come up for consideration quite independent of the green specimens. Many of the Merrimac pieces show a cheerful, tender, bright, radiant character, which is wholly lacking in the Grueby. The soft color of the Merrimac is especially pleasing and the metallic glow on some of the articles is most effective, rich and brilliant. This metallic finish is the finer and more acceptable, as seen upon the low-tone pieces, such as on the soft, dull violet, rose and similar colors.”
The more exquisite garden pottery made by Nickerson was some of the most impressive red earthenware known to have been manufactured by any American art potter. Many of the forms were intended to hold small trees and shrubs. These forms were reportedly shipped all over the country in the early twentieth-century.
Nickerson drew inspiration from old Japanese and ancient Greeks forms – among other styles that he incorporated into his line of garden products. The forms were often monumental and embellished with extravagant features. The Phillips Library at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts owns a rare Merrimac Pottery Company catalog, which was published in 1905 that was only intended to showcase these specific products. The products were not cheap, either – they ranged from $5 to $50 depending on the size and form.
Nickerson drew inspiration from old Japanese and ancient Greeks forms – among other styles that he incorporated into his line of garden products. The forms were often monumental and embellished with extravagant features. The Phillips Library at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts owns a rare Merrimac Pottery Company catalog, which was published in 1905 that was only intended to showcase these specific products. The products were not cheap, either – they ranged from $5 to $50 depending on the size and form.
According to the 1905 catalog, “THE MERRIMAC POTTERY COMPANY made a large number of GARDEN POTS during the past season, which met with the approval of architects and their clients, and are in use on many large estates in this country. Since the last catalogue was issued, several new shapes have been added to the forms carried and the lines of the old ones have been improved. The present catalogue shows most of these new forms and illustrates the adaptability of the pots to various positions in formal and wild gardens, on porches, verandas and terraces. These pots are made in red and white terra cotta and being slightly porous afford proper drainage for the trees and shrubs. Prices include packing and delivery to express or freight. All charges for transportation to be paid by the purchaser. Estimates on special shapes (custom orders) will be promptly submitted.”
Merrimac Pottery Company - The Ellison Collection
Early-20th Century Merrimac Pottery Company Vase Made in Newburyport, Mass.
Circa 1902-1908
Stands 10" Tall
Robert A. Ellison, Jr. Collection
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art
Early-20th Century Merrimac Pottery Company Vase Made in Newburyport, Mass.
Circa 1902-1908
Stands 9 5/8" Tall
Robert A. Ellison, Jr. Collection
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art
Early-20th Century Merrimac Pottery Company Vase Made in Newburyport, Mass.
Circa 1902-1908
Stands 15 1/8" Tall
Robert A. Ellison, Jr. Collection
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art
Early-20th Century Merrimac Pottery Company Vase Made in Newburyport, Mass.
Circa 1902-1908
Stands 9 5/8" Tall
Robert A. Ellison, Jr. Collection
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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