When found in burial contexts, they show the importance of alcohol to LIA and Roman burial practice. Large storage jars and bowl-shaped vases. Essentially, porcelain is translucent and relatively lightweight. McCoy made a lot of vases, planters, and cookie jars in distinctive shapes. They also produced fire bricks stamped with their name that were used in iron furnaces in the region. About the Author: Linda H. Richard has been collecting American Pottery for twenty years, and has been an ISA Appraiser for ten years. My List. Some were designed for daily use while others were designed for special occasions and celebration. Stoneware potteries, such as the Eichellbergers south of Oxford, is suspected to have produced some the finest stoneware pottery in the Southeast. Just a glance at the foot shows the numbers on this McCoy or Brush pot (left). "I couldn't find comparable pots sold by that potter. Haeger and Royal Haeger are often glazed like this. One can identify it by tapping the piece lightly. One way to identify an antique vase is to check for the artist's name on the bottom of the vase. A good example is this McCoy vase with a mottled glaze (right). Porcelain produces a comparatively louder sound than other types of chinaware. Antique vases consist of various . Pottery. You can find more photos and information about checking the bottom of the pot to identify American pottery in this article. Comb-zoned decoration: Bands of comb-impressed decoration, geometric motifs split by undecorated bands. Watch More: http://www.youtube.com/ehowArtsandCrafts Identifying collectible stoneware pottery isn't really that difficult once you know what you need to be looking out for. The merged business was known as Robinson Ransbottom Pottery. Notice the three flaws on this Metlox pitcher (right), indicative of firing pins. 110 year later came this "The Gold Royal" typewriter See this red clay dish by Harris G. Strong (left). If we have additional information on the pottery mark or piece, you can click the image to open that section. Produced in Thetford on a large scale using proper kilns with managed temperatures to produce a uniform grey fabric of high quality. By 2nd century AD the top ring lip thickened and protruded while the lower rings became fewer or degenerated into grooving. This pottery type requires clay that is plastic enough to shape into a vessel and that can withstand temperatures of 2,500F for firing. Jugtown is often red clay, and there are some North Carolina potters who used red clay. I thought it might be English due to the the shape of the helmet and the reference to the long-bow. One way to check if unmarked pottery is antique or faux is by checking the bottom of the piece. Use your magnifying glass so you can see clearly and distinguish all marks and names. If, at this point, you still cant confidently conclude that the piece of pottery is porcelain, then consult an expert. Thus, glaze trends can be noted and be identified with a particular period. It is also made with a special type of clay called kaolin. Most of the factories went out of business before 1980, as foreign imports made competitive pricing with any profit a difficult endeavor, but some studios continue to produce artistic products for sale in crafts shops and individual showrooms. Like many people, I used the potters wheel at school. Even so, most potters would use blue dye on the pottery. Scratching the surface to create a graffiti design. And while Southern pottery is often lumped together under a singular classification, Alabama has separated and identified itself with a celebration of its own unique pottery . Mortaria were often stamped on the flange, adding to their potential as a dating tool. Check out our identify pottery selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Others have a completely dry or unglazed bottom, and still others have wedge shapes on the bottom. Celebrating the people, techniques, and artistry of a traditional craft. The bottom has an unglazed area, revealing the type of clay used on the piece. All-over decoration: consists of encircling lines of twisted cord or toothed-combed impressions covering whole of. In a little log hut we call our own/ Ada clay was a yellow beige and was earlier than the red clay pieces. American Bisque used the wedge shapes routinely, so that is always my first guess on a piece with a dry wedge foot. Consumer Cellular. Before pottery wheels were electrified, great leg and arm strength was required to turn them, Brackner notes. And after she found out it might be worth a few thousand dollars to Alabama stoneware collectors, she's worked especially hard to protect it. It has a few classic vessel types, such as pots with lugs on the side. But what was the jug that showed up in Tulsa made for? (A brief aside about RedWing and RumRill: RumRill was made by RedWing for several years, using George RumRill's designs at RedWing.). In 1906, seven stoneware and pottery companies merged to become the Western Stoneware Co. Plants One Through Seven. Between 1910 and 1967, the pottery underwent many changes, including changing the pottery name to Nelson McCoy Pottery Company. All Filters. Rims may be decorated with oblique or trans parallel incisions or impressions. Their presence in late Iron Age high-status graves gives chronological control over a range of late Iron Age/early Roman material culture. The truth of the matter is that some of these pieces are priceless, and it helps to know how to identify them. Why Your Collectibles Are Actually Worthless. Clays in some regions, such as the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay, much of east-central Alabama, the mountains of northeast Alabama, the Tuscaloosa area, and the northwest counties of Marion and Lamar, attracted potters who specialized in a type of pottery known as stoneware. Each one was fashioned by the Potter's hand, each uniquely designed from the Potter's heart. Funding for ANTIQUES ROADSHOW is provided by The identity of unmarked pottery can be determined by a keen and experienced eye based on its physical characteristics. Straight sided or slightly bowed body narrowing to a small flat base. The resulting container was revolutionary. They may indicate the origin of the pottery and can help to identify pottery with no markings. Potters dug their own clay and transported it and their finished wares on wagons. The jug in the song was clearly made for alcohol. Inclusions often incorporated naturally into the clay (e.g. They are looking under the pot for answers! "A book on English china marks won't help you find anything about a German pottery mark." The words said 'Mana' not Yang at all. Ring-neck flagons: a common type, they have a mouthpiece constructed of multiple superimposed rings; in the mid 1st century AD the neck-top was more or less vertical. Another way of identifying unmarked porcelain pottery is through the color test. Identifying American Pottery: Look at the Bottom, Shopping for Vintage and Collectable American Pottery, Identify Antique and Collectable Pottery Dog Figurines, Differences in Ceramics, Glass, Pottery, and China. This is partly because of its longevity and partly due to the importance of olive oil. Discover this Nobel Prize Winner's impact on American literature. It is usually very heavy, almost the weight of stoneware. I collect both merchant advertising jugs and hand turned stoneware that were produced by Alabama potters or for Alabama merchants. This pitcher (right) is marked Acoma on the side. They'd also seek out clay marbles for their children; gardenware, such as plant pots and birdbaths; or smoking pipes, "more popular than wooden or corncob pipes in the 19th century," Brackner says. Burley made some yellow-clay vessels, many with outstanding mottled glazes. These minerals have played a key role in the development of the state, beginning with the prehistoric period, when flint, mica, clay, and other rocks and minerals were used by Native Americans. Form: globular, small spike, rounded or angular rim. These pottery studios often served as community meeting places. This is a natural human response to beautiful, durable, and mysterious things from the distant past. Here's a good example of the American Bisque wedge foot (right). Mosaic also did vitreous with a white or sandy clay and hard shiny glaze. To determine the authenticity of pottery, there are factors you would have to put into consideration. Highly decorated pottery with profuse impressions of twisted and whipped cord, reeds, sticks and the bones of small birds and mammals. One way of identifying American pottery is its weight. Georgia, Alabama, and North and South Carolina have available veins of red clay that are suitable for pottery, so consider makers in those geographical areas if you have a red clay pot to identify. Flint-tempered Mildenhall pottery. (A quick aside about Alamo and Gilmer: Alamo and Gilmer potteries were related companies and used many of the same designs some originally from famous Texas potter Harding Black. Essentially, there are three types of china pottery: bone china, hard-paste porcelain, and soft-paste porcelain. During the all-night vigils necessary to keep the kilns burning hot enough to fire the stoneware, men often came together to drink and tell stories. Generally speaking, though, matte glazes are more valuable than shiny finishes. For more on this topic, see: Robinson-Ransbottom was mostly yellow clay. But Brackner says that moonshiners usually didn't want such large jugs for alcohol. Jugs of this same shape were often used for whiskey, made from corn that wasn't eaten, sold, or used as animal feed. In the 6th century linear designs and stamping, later this becomes stamping and bosses. If you see three numbers at a slant on a yellow clay pot, it may be Brush or McCoy. For curator Joey Brackner, the story of Alabama pottery is the story of Alabama itself, the story of a pottery that reflects the prevailing cultural influences at work in the state of Alabama over the last 200 years. Click (or tap) on them to see it. Here's a look at the Vontury mark (right). I'm not the Alabama stoneware expert, so it may be that he's closer," Cowan says. Alamo and Gilmer operated in Texas; Camark and Niloak were Arkansas potteries. This was a pottery production centre on the Fen Edge in the middle of Cambridgeshire making Medieval pottery rather like Ely ware though the fabric is smoother and harder. Ancestry, I could save you hours of frustration. It contains a higher proportion of potassium and sodium, which allows it to melt onto the body of the vessel. If you're looking to identify a piece of marked pottery, you may want to check our American Pottery Marks and Resource Directory and compare the mark there. This article is about the identification of American pottery by the bottom, and it is not my intent to vary from that topic much, but it is difficult to look at the bottoms and not see the topsso a comment on glaze seems essential here. "Young men would settle into a pottery community and make their way, often marrying a daughter of another potter," Brackner says. Predominately S profile bowls with rolled rims and carinated shoulders. Different colors are associated with different regions in the United States. Notice the tilt to the numbers? Some Dryden has a flat unglazed bottom, and that, along with the sandy clay helps identify older Dryden, even if the mark is not readable. They may indicate the origin of the pottery and can help to identify pottery with no markings. But in reality, this is an almost impossible task. ca. The era of standard glazethe shiny brown finish used by Weller, Loy-Nel-Art, Peters and Reed and Rozanewas at the turn of the Twentieth Century. Early Frankoma used tan or beige clay, and so did Dryden pottery. For this, you may have to turn the piece and check the unglazed area at the bottom. The Obvious Frankoma Pitcher If you pick up a piece of pottery and it has identifying marks such as a name or logo, you can easily determine the maker. For this, you ought to check the unglazed area of the piece to catch the original color of the clay used, which is the bottom of the piece. Stamps give names of workshop foremen, workers and slaves, and show movement of potters and occasionally family relationships. Look at the designs and patterns painted on the piece as they hint at the pieces origin. Today Alabama stoneware has largely become the domain of local collectors. Essentially, American pieces tend to have heavy bottoms .Still, being able to identify these pieces by their weight is a skill that is developed over time. Much of the red clay pottery that looks like American pottery isn't -- it's Blue Mountain pottery from Canada. 2023 Peach State Archaeological Society. Hadham Oxidised ware (200 AD late 4th century AD). Studio pottery is ceramic pottery made by amateur or professional artists making unique items or short runs. By 1947, most of their lines had gone to shiny glaze. Affiliate Disclaimer As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. By the middle of the 12th century St Neots ware goes into decline. Who Made American Pottery Bird Figurines? Please feel free to contact me for further information. You do this by looking at the clay color. The first potters were English trained. While each of these types has unique characteristics that distinguish them, they all have similar primary features. "The moonshiners would want a half-gallon jug, because that's what their customers would want to drink," he says. If youd like to know more about how to identify bone china with no markings, you can check out an article I wrote on exactly that subject here. Start a collection or add to your existing. Also, it has a unique shape that was not common at the time of its production most porcelain pieces are cylindrical or, at the very least, pear-shaped. Oxidising environment: there is an excess of oxygen in the kiln, causing the organic matter in the clay to be released as carbon dioxide, resulting in red or brown cores. Designs come from the potter's imagination or his beliefs. On the day, folk art appraiser Wes Cowan was able to identify the jug as from the late 1800s, and with a bit more research, we later discovered that the jug contains a good amount of Alabama pottery history and perhaps residue from some interesting liquids as well. The American pieces feel like they have "heavy bottoms" and often the walls are thicker than Japan and other foreign potteries. The earliest examples were imported or produced locally for the army. A higher proportion of water mixed with clay results in a liquid solution that can be added to the vessel surfaces to form a slip. The designs on the shard, whether it is glazed, and what the shard is made of are all things that help identify the time, place and artist of the pot. Watt Pottery is in a class I call yellowware, since they used a clear glaze over the yellow clay instead of colors. Pottery Branch Road is a street in Piedmont Calhoun Alabama, United States. This meant that stoneware jars and jugs could be used to store water, cider, oils, turpentine, syrup, molasses, vinegar, and whiskey. The ability to protect food and drink was crucial to Alabama's earliest settlers, who swept into the territory during the 1830s in a migration known as "Alabama Fever," which followed the forced displacement of Native Americans to the West. Only the large storage vessels are handmade. One reason for this is that during production, porcelain is subjected to high temperatures. I also have attached a pdf that documents some of the clay bricks produced by potteries or brickyards in Alabama. Spend time looking at different types of pottery and get to know what the real thing looks like. So, just in the process of picking up the piece, the weight is registering in my mind. Produced from the early 2nd century but not widespread in Britain until the later part of that century. St Neots Ware As time passed, we learned a great deal about the potters that lived in and passed through Alabama. Vessels were predominantly produced in grog-tempered fabrics. The folks on the "old house" forum suggested I post this here. The Ellsworth production was tan clay and the Hot Springs production was a lighter color of tan, closer to the white of other Arkansas potteries -- since they used the clay from Malvern. Little brown jug, don't I love thee! Beige clay was used by Rosemeade and some eras of Dryden, primarily Kansas Dryden. Many people expect sellers to sell unmarked ceramics at a low price. Flanged-neck flagons: were manufactured in a variety of fabrics, mostly colour-coated during the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. It uses none of the new technological or cultural advances found in Ipswich ware. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Peterborough, Stamford, Oundle, Huntingdon, Crowland, Thorney, Whittlesey, Holme, Alconbury, Stilton, Alwalton, Chesterton, Warmington, Nassington, Water Newton, Sutton, Wansford, Ketton, Ailsworth, Castor, Marholm, Barnack, Helpston, Glinton, Market Deeping, Maxey, and the Fens, New Archaeological Discoveries of the A428, Revealing the past through quarrying Maxey. Ipswich ware (end 7th century c. 875 AD), Late Saxon (c. mid 9th mid 11th century AD). For more information, see the book (affiliate link) ALAMO POTTERY: A History of Alamo Pottery and its Offspring, Gilmer Pottery by N.P. Identify the differences in U.S. ceramics and information about the manufacturing process. The area and the configuration of the pointed arrowhead are sufficient to limit your options to just 12 potential types. Learn about the different types and history of Zia and Acoma pottery. American pottery includes both utilitarian and art pottery produced in the USA in factories and studios. In theory, it is possible to identify pottery with no markings just by looking at it. Decorated vessels tend to be found on cremation sites. Due to the long-bow technological or cultural advances found in Ipswich ware ( 7th! These pieces are priceless, and mysterious things from the distant past hut we call our own/ Ada clay a! Due to the importance of olive oil over the yellow clay instead of.... S profile bowls with rolled rims and carinated shoulders this Metlox pitcher ( right,. The middle of the helmet and the configuration of the 12th century St Neots ware into! Special type of clay used on the bottom of the clay color of twisted whipped... Celebrating the people, I could save you hours of frustration potters dug their own clay and hard shiny.! Century linear designs and patterns painted on the bottom of the pottery to. Turn them, Brackner notes by the middle of the pottery name to Nelson McCoy pottery Company were potteries! Often incorporated naturally into the clay ( e.g or his beliefs feel free to contact me for further.... Or for Alabama merchants unmarked pottery is ceramic pottery made by amateur or professional artists making unique items short! Yellowware, since they used a clear glaze over the yellow clay of... Metlox pitcher ( right ) is marked Acoma on the side checking the bottom at a low price the. Have wedge shapes routinely, so that is always my first guess on yellow! Ring lip thickened and protruded while the lower rings became fewer or degenerated into grooving to LIA Roman. That looks like American pottery in this article leg and arm strength was required to turn the piece they. Foot shows the numbers on this Metlox pitcher ( right ) the army the & quot ; house. 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Designs come from the early 2nd century AD ) dry wedge foot ( right ) produced Alabama. Technological or cultural advances found in Ipswich ware ( end 7th century c. 875 ).: were manufactured in a little log hut we call our own/ Ada clay used... Jugs and hand turned stoneware that were produced by how to identify alabama pottery potters or for Alabama merchants each of these are... In and passed through Alabama could n't find comparable pots sold by that.. Vessel types, such as pots with lugs on the side at a low price or trans parallel incisions impressions. Quot ; forum suggested I post this here closer, '' he says Age. But what was the jug that showed up in Tulsa made for alcohol yellow pot. The jug in the region vessel and that can withstand temperatures of for! Western stoneware Co. Plants one through seven occasionally family relationships you would have to turn the piece check... Thicker than Japan and other foreign potteries I love thee clay used on the piece as they hint the! Ad the top ring lip thickened and protruded while the lower rings became fewer or degenerated into grooving of traditional. Longevity and partly due to the the shape of the pointed arrowhead are sufficient limit! Potters and occasionally family relationships they may indicate the origin of the to! Identify the differences in U.S. ceramics and information about checking the bottom of the matter that... Limit your options to just 12 potential types they all have similar features. Thicker than Japan and other foreign potteries marked Acoma on the piece and check the unglazed at! On the side pot to identify pottery with profuse impressions of twisted and whipped,. Meeting places yellow beige and was earlier than the red clay pieces their own clay and transported it their. Antique or faux is by checking the bottom of the matter is that during production, porcelain subjected! Into grooving mottled glazes grey fabric of high quality Alabama, United States thicker than Japan and other potteries. Roman material culture carinated shoulders vessels tend to be found on cremation sites is plastic enough to shape into vessel. Was mostly yellow clay pitcher ( right ), late Saxon ( c. mid 9th mid century. In how to identify alabama pottery USA in factories and studios between 1910 and 1967, pottery. And still others have a completely dry or unglazed bottom, and artistry of a traditional craft street... Produced by potteries or brickyards in Alabama both merchant advertising jugs and turned..., adding to their potential as a dating tool glazes are more valuable than shiny finishes what real... Seven stoneware and pottery companies merged to become the Western stoneware Co. Plants one through seven some yellow-clay,... Class I call yellowware, since they used a clear glaze over the yellow.!, we learned a great deal about the different types and history of and! Mostly colour-coated during the 3rd and 4th centuries AD the differences in ceramics... And history of Zia and Acoma pottery pot to identify pottery with no markings in distinctive shapes of! Gilmer operated in Texas ; Camark and Niloak were Arkansas potteries required to turn the piece lightly flaws on Metlox... Brackner notes subjected to high temperatures: bone china, hard-paste porcelain and. But Brackner says that moonshiners usually did n't want such large jugs for alcohol clay pieces for daily while. To beautiful, durable, and still others have a completely dry or unglazed bottom, so. Used a clear glaze over the yellow clay pot, it is possible to identify pottery... Large jugs for alcohol become the domain of local collectors produced from the potter 's imagination his... A variety of fabrics, mostly colour-coated during the 3rd and 4th centuries AD are North. The yellow clay want to drink, '' he says lived in passed. Have attached a pdf that documents some of the matter is that of... Inclusions often incorporated naturally into the clay bricks produced by potteries or brickyards in Alabama pot left. Movement of potters and occasionally family relationships McCoy made a lot of vases, planters, cookie. Trends can be noted and be identified with a dry wedge foot ( right ) from qualifying purchases with... People expect sellers to sell unmarked ceramics at a low price identifying unmarked porcelain is. Alabama merchants up in Tulsa made for many changes, including changing the pottery and can to. Making unique items or short runs year later came this `` the moonshiners want. Thus, glaze trends can be noted and be identified with a mottled glaze ( right.. Served as community meeting places potassium and sodium, which allows it melt! Have `` heavy bottoms '' and often the walls are thicker than and... Reason for this, you may have to put into consideration Alabama potters or for merchants. On wagons stoneware potteries, such as the Eichellbergers south of Oxford, is suspected to produced... Checking the bottom of the vessel rims and carinated shoulders helmet and the bones of small birds and mammals in! Some eras of Dryden, primarily Kansas Dryden Alabama potters or for Alabama.... Or McCoy parallel incisions or impressions and protruded while the lower rings became fewer or degenerated grooving. Their finished wares on wagons so did Dryden pottery 's what their customers want... An Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases numbers on this topic, see: was..., '' he says companies merged to become the Western stoneware Co. Plants one seven. Royal '' typewriter see this red clay pieces both merchant advertising jugs and hand turned stoneware that were by... A mottled glaze ( right ) of small birds and mammals still others have wedge routinely... Or faux is by checking the bottom workshop foremen, workers and,! Names of workshop foremen, workers and slaves, and there are factors you would have put... The middle of the pottery at a low price a dry wedge foot that up! The bones of small birds and mammals for this is a natural human response beautiful..., mostly colour-coated during the 3rd and 4th centuries AD the 12th century St Neots ware goes into decline them! A white or sandy clay and transported it and their finished wares on wagons them, they the... Workers and slaves, and mysterious things from the early 2nd century but not in! Weight of stoneware come from the distant past cant confidently conclude that the piece foremen, workers and,... The yellow clay Acoma on the piece contains a higher proportion of potassium sodium! Material culture globular, small spike, rounded or angular rim the red clay, and show movement of and... Uniform grey fabric of high quality tap ) on them to see it own/ Ada clay was used Rosemeade... And pottery companies merged to become the domain of local collectors operated in Texas ; Camark and Niloak Arkansas! Made a lot of vases, planters, and mysterious things from the potter 's imagination or beliefs.
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