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August/September 2000, Volume 1: Issue 3
TRENTON POTTERIES
Newsletter of the Potteries of Trenton Society
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Table of Contents
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Richard W. Hunter
Back in the fall of 1998, as one of the pre-conditions of the Route 29 reconstruction project
in South Trenton, Hunter Research, Inc., engaged as archaeological consultants to the New
Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), were excavating the Rosey Hill Mansion Site
located in the front yard of the Katmandu Restaurant. From the late 18th~century fill of a
cellar in the earliest house on the site, were pulled several stoneware wasters, among them
pieces of a large grey saucer with a distinctive incised multi-lobed floral design emphasized
in cobalt blue. Our tentative conclusion . . . Rosey Hill must lie close to an 18th-century
stoneware manufacturing site, possibly the pottery referenced in historical documents as
being operated by the Philadelphia merchant, William Richards, in the 1770s.
A newspaper advertisement of 1774 reveals that Richards had just recently built "a
manufactory at Lamberton, about a half mile below Trenton, for making the useful
Dutch stone-ware, and sand crucibles He had also bought a new boat to service
his Lamberton business ventures and presumably used this vessel in support of the
pottery operations. Four years later, Richards was advertising for a stoneware potter,
which implies that he was hiring craftsmen to fashion the wares and work the kiln.
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Archaeologists from Hunter Research excavating and recording the
Richards stoneware kiln. Photographed by Dawn Turner.
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From the mid-1760s until his death in 1787, Richards
was a prominent figure in the commerce of the Lamberton waterfront
and Lower Delaware Valley, involved in fishing and the trading of
a wide range of import and export goods, in addition to pottery
manufacturing. He also served as "Ship's Husband" to the small Pennsylvania
navy during the Revolutionary War, and in this capacity was responsible
for supplying the fleet with "all stores and necessaries." Lamberton,
however, represented just one hub in Richards' trading network,
an enterprise that was also focused on a store he maintained in
Philadelphia and commercial links in the West Indies.
As the archaeological work on the Route 29 project continued, other ceramic tidbits
were found possibly relating to William Richards. Highway construction soon began in
full force, but a Memorandum of Agreement between the NJDOT, the Federal Highway
Administration, the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office and the Advisory Council
on Historic Preservation made provision for archaeological monitoring of contractor
excavations in certain key areas where it was felt that there was strong chance that
important remains might still survive. Lamberton's colonial waterfront, buried beneath
thick deposits of industrial fill, was one such area. Lo and behold, in May of this
year, near the foot of Landing Street, grading for the tunnel that will carry Route
29 along the river bank exposed the remains of a well-preserved stoneware kiln
surrounded by ceramic waste. Documentary data and the evidence of the kiln and its
products left us in no doubt that we had found William Richards' stoneware pottery.
The archaeological work notched up a gear and an emergency ten-day excavation was
undertaken. The kiln was thoroughly examined and documented, and a large sample of
wares and kiln furniture was recovered.
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Situated roughly 50 feet from the 18th-century shoreline, the kiln was set within
a complex of other buildings, most of which appear to have been warehouses and
workshops used by Richards and others involved in shipping goods on the river.
The kiln was of simple updraft type, rectangular in plan (14.5 by 8.5 feet) with
a firebox at each end, constructed largely in brick, and survived to a height of
around four feet. Most of the floor of the upper chamber survived intact; beneath
the floor circled a single ring-like, vented flue system, linked to the fireboxes.
Each firebox sat over an ash and lime-filled, brick-lined trough straddled by iron
pigs, which served both as a grate and as integral supporting elements within the
kiln structure.
Masses of grey salt-glazed wasters and kiln-related debris were gathered from around
the kiln. These will, when fully analyzed, go a long way toward characterizing the
Richards products and the operation of the kiln. The pottery was manufacturing milk pans,
plates, bottles, jugs, tankards, porringers, bowls, crocks, pipkins and chamber pots, as
well as some more unusual items, such as ink wells, candlestick holders and a press-molded
teapot with lion paw feet. Several different base and handle styles are evident, but the
most distinctive feature of the kiln's output was the use of certain decorations:
incised multi-lobed flowers, fish scale triangles and checkerboards; molded or sprigged
designs of floral reliefs and bellarmine-like faces; rouletted "penny" medallions; and
fleur-de-lis and watch spring motifs painted in cobalt blue. One sherd was found bearing
the impressed type-set initials "W R", presumably reflecting the pottery's ownership.
Both formal and makeshift kiln furniture items were recovered. Props, shelves and
cylindrical saggars with cut holes fall within the former category; wads, pads, pillows
and crescents are abundant among the latter.
The discovery of the Richards pottery is of great historical and archaeological importance
in the regional context of colonial stoneware production in the Middle Colonies. The site
is one of only three archaeologically documented 18th-century stoneware kilns on the eastern
seaboard (the other two being in Yorktown, Virginia and Cheesequake, New Jersey). Its products
are in many respects quite distinctive and should often be recognizable in other archaeological
assemblages and ceramic collections. Of profound interest are Richards' Caribbean links and
one may speculate that his Lamberton stoneware products may well show up on colonial sites
in the West Indies and perhaps even further afield in the New World.
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In the meantime, analysis of this find is ongoing. An estimated 14,000 sherds and other items
recovered from the site are now in the process of being sorted and cataloged. Technical reports
should be completed over the coming year and other publications will likely result. Historical
research also continues and is focused on pinpointing the beginning and end dates of the pottery
operation (currently viewed as running from the early 1770s to the late 1780s); establishing
whether James Rhodes, a documented potter in the area around this time, was ever involved with
the site; and tracing William Richards' business activities.
What was the fate of the kiln? Despite the initial attraction of digging up and exhibiting the
kiln, it was judged impractical to physically remove the structure from the river bank. Doing
this would likely have resulted in its collapse and created a major long-term conservation
issue. More important, removal of the kiln would have severed it from its archaeological
context when it is clear that the kiln itself and substantial unexamined remains in the
surrounding area will still remain along the river bank even after the construction of
the highway. On this basis, the kiln has been left in place, packed in sand, marked on
the highway as-built drawings, and now lies sealed beneath the roadway, awaiting re-examination
by future archaeologists.
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William B. Liebeknecht
Construction of the new alignment for N.J. Route 29 along the banks of the Delaware River,
in Trenton, revealed the location of an extended pottery waster tip pile. The waster dump
contained hundreds of majolica sherds from the Arsenal Pottery. Owned by James and Joseph
Mayer from 1876 to 1905, the Arsenal Pottery was reported to have manufactured such "majolica
and Barbotine ware" as vases, jardiniers, jugs and flat wares (Wall n.d.:6). The Mayer Pottery
was one of only six firms in the United States to produce American majolica ware in the
1880-1890s (Van Hoesen 1973:160).
Majolica is a soft earthenware that is fired at a low temperature. It is generally molded
with high or low relief decorations, coated with an opaque glaze or slip, and painted with
brightly colored lead glazes. According to Snyder and Bockol, the lead glazes generally
"accentuated the molded designs" (1994:7). The term majolica is a trade name introduced
in England by Herbert Minton circa 1850. Barbotine wares are the French version of majolica.
The development of majolica has generally been attributed to Leon Arnoux, a French potter
who worked for Minton. However, Edwin Bennett, a British potter working in Baltimore,
developed a similar process at roughly the same time (Schneider 1999:19). The quality
of American majolica varied among pottery firms and decorators, but European majolica
is considered generally very well made.
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Surprisingly, none of the majolica sherds that were recently recovered from the Mayer
waster dump are marked with the company's name. Two pieces, however,
have impressed
lettering. The first is marked "PAT APLD FOR" on the base of a toby mug
(Fig. 1) and
the second is marked "NEW YORK" on an unidentified piece of hollowware.
Several pieces,
plates and pitchers in particular, are marked with light-brown hand-painted numbers on
the bottom, which appear to be decorators' numbers. The numbers on plates are usually
located in a reserve created by a light-brown sponge ground (Fig. 2).
A number of vessel forms were identified, such as mugs, pitchers, plates, platters,
bowls, teapots, jardiniers, and spittoons. Although majolica jugs were reported to
have been manufactured by Mayer, none were observed from the waster pile.
Most vessels exhibit brightly colored polychrome glazes. The colors that appear on
sherds recovered from the Mayer waster dump include brown, pink, red, aqua, yellow,
grey, green, dark blue, purple, yellow-green, natural white and gold gilt. Interior
surfaces of hollowware vessels and exterior under surfaces of flatwares exhibit pale
washes in pink, green and cream. Some flatwares also exhibit brown sponge backgrounds.
Researchers, antique dealers and collectors commonly mistake majolica manufactured
by the Mayer Manufacturing Company for pieces manufactured in England and Ohio. The
discovery of this waster pile has enabled researchers to unequivocally link "unmarked"
majolica vessels to the Mayer Manufacturing Company in Trenton, New Jersey. For the
first time in over one hundred years Mayer's majolica can claim its rightful place in
New Jersey's ceramic history.
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Plates
- 8" with hounds chasing an elk or deer through grass with a floral, scroll and geometric border. (Also manufactured in 9", 9 1/2" and 11")
- 10" with a raised shell and dot diaper border and a scrolling rim with a center toby scene (a man with a pitcher and mug in his hands sitting beside a keg).
- 10 3/4" with a sheep dog in front of a doghouse and dog bowl with a leaf and scroll border
- 9 1/4" with wild roses and three simple toothed leaves on a basketweave background (also manufactured in 8")
- 12 1/2" x 6 1/2" Fish-shaped plate with scales and fins (polychrome) * Note: The fish plate is currently being reproduced.
- 7 3/4" x 5 3/4" Begonia-leaf plate
- Girl and a large dog in front of a fireplace feeding a rabbit a plate of lettuce with a dot-diaper-scallop shell border
Pitchers
- 7", water lily flower with overlapping lily pads (handle has a tadpole on the top)
- 6" with green plant (no flower) on a wooden barrel with wood hoops, rope pattern handle is flat in cross section.
- 9" tree with a bird's nest, eggs and bird (robin?) with branch handle
- 8 1/4" Bark pitcher with wild rose with a branch handle (also manufactured in 5 7/8", 7" and 9 1/2")
- 7" Bark pitcher with wild rose with a branch handle (also manufactured in 6")
- 4 3/4" Figural pitcher/mug (toby) of a man's head with a top hat (marked "PAT APLD FOR") (Figure 1)
- 4 3/4" Pitcher with plain wood barrel
- Corn-cob shaped pitcher
- Pitcher with tree bark with grape vine, leaves and grapes
- Pitcher with scales and scrolls in solid colors (blue, green or yellow)
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Creamers
- 5 1/4" Tree bark with simple toothed leaf and ferns (also manufactured in 8")
(Figure 3)
- 5" bamboo with daisies
- 4 3/4" with basket-weave background with a multi-pedal flower, possibly a wild rose) (also manufactured in 8")
Spittoons
- Basket spittoon (with two varieties Bird on a branch on a basket and rose-bow on a basket)
Jardiniers
- Jardinier, scales and scrolls in solid colors (blue, green or yellow)
Bowls
- 8 1/4" Cabbage bordered bowl with grape leaves in the center (also manufactured in 10")
Teapots
- 4" diameter basket-weave teapot lid
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Fig. 1 Toby mug marked PAT APLD FOR. |
Fig. 2 Sherd with hand-painted number |
Fig. 3 Tree bark creamer. |
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Photographs by Dawn Turner
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REFERENCES
Schneider, M. (1999) Majolica. Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
Atglen, Pennsylvania.
Snyder, J.B. and L. Bockol (1994) Majolica American and
European Wares. Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. Atglen,
Pennsylvania.
www.schifferbooks.com/antiques/
Stradling, J. G. (1996) The Southern Porcelain Company of
Kaolin South Carolina: A Reassessment. Journal of Early
Southern Decorative Arts 22(2):1-39.
Van Hoesen, W.H. (1973) Crafts and Craftsmen of New
Jersey. Fairleigh Dickenson
University Press, Rutherford, New Jersey.
Wall, J. P. (n. d.) History of the Potteries of Trenton,
NJ. Paper on file, Trenton
Public Library, Trenton.
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General Porcelain Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1939 for the purpose of
electrical porcelain manufacture, the company continued in that capacity until 1942
when a major product line change took place. General Porcelain Art Ware came on the
market in the form of lamps, figurines and ash trays. These items were sold across
the country and the company maintained showrooms in New York City and Chicago.
In 1952 the company successfully developed porcelain forms for the latex industry,
which carried the firm to a position of world leadership in the production of these
forms. General Porcelain continues to manufacture latex forms today. The company
also makes molds for hobbyists in their Iandola Molds division.
Recently, the firm's Design Cast Division has been involved in extensive recreation
of the Pulaski Monument in Savannah, Georgia. The monument, dedicated to Revolutionary
War hero General Casimir Pulaski (as is the Pulaski Skyway in New Jersey), will be
rededicated in October by the presidents of the United States and Poland.
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The photograph dating to the 1950's,
shows curved finger household glove forms in sizes 7 to 11. General Porcelain provided
these latex forms to their custormers in gloss, bisque, or "rough" finish. Dipping lines,
with or without grooves, were also available. Photograph courtesy of Michael
Olzack, General Porcelain.
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Ever wonder what your grandmother had? Most people remember happy holiday meals with their
families, but how many know what dishes were on the table? Did you inherit your great aunt's
china and questioned the age of her favorite vase? Here is your opportunity to find out.
The Potteries of Trenton Society (POTS) is hosting "Dish Discovery Day," an afternoon of
pottery and china identification, at Ellarslie on Sunday, October 22, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Bring in your mystery ceramics and ask our panel of experts, "What is it?" The panel will
include POTS members who are curators, collectors, and archaeologists. Please bring pottery
and china only. Arrive between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. with your mystery dish and stay for the
second half of the program. From 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. there will be general discussion among
the experts, who will explain the who, what, and when for the most interesting puzzles
presented to them. There will be plenty of expertise, but no appraisals. This event is
free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
Ellarslie, the Trenton City Museum, is located in Cadwalader Park, Trenton. The event will
take place on the second floor in the galleries dedicated to the history of Trenton's ceramics.
The Potteries of Trenton Society was founded in 1999 to promote the study and appreciation of
Trenton's ceramic industry. Membership is open to all interested in Trenton's pottery industry
and its products. Members include pottery workers, historians, archaeologists, and collectors.
For more information, call Patricia Madrigal at 609-695-0122 or
Email
POTS for more information. Please note, however, that we are not
able to identify, appraise, or provide information on ceramic objects.
Visitors to the site should consult with an appraiser or antique dealer.
Thank You..
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Lectures
Ellen Denker lectured for the Victorian Society, Metropolitan Chapter (NYC) on
"From Artware to Tableware: Walter Scott Lenox, Frank Holmes, and American Fine
China." The lecture was held Tuesday, September 12.
Patricia Madrigal will speak at the Contemporary Club, 176 W. State Street, Trenton,
on Tuesday, November 14 at 7:30 p.m. Ms. Madrigal will speak about the Potteries of
Trenton Society, the Trenton Potteries Database, and POTS efforts to study and preserve
Trenton's ceramic history. The event is open to the public.
Teacups to Toilets
The Potteries of Trenton Society is planning on reprinting Teacups to Toilets: A Century of
Ceramic Manufacture, Circa 1850-1940. A teacher's guide prepared by Hunter Research for
the New Jersey Department of Transportation, the guide introduces teachers and students
to the history of Trenton's ceramic industry. POTS is working with the New Jersey Department
of Transportation to bring about a second edition of the guide.
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Newsletter of the Potteries of Trenton Society
120 W. State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
Phone: 609-695-0122
Fax: 609-695-0147
Email
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