Antique Country Primitive Redware Pottery Pitcher; 19th Century Slip Decorated

Here's an exceptional piece of antique folk art pottery to decorate your home or add to a collection! We found this old, decorated, redware pot while rummaging through the cellar of a 19th Century farmhouse and it dates back to the mid-1800s. It shows plenty of age but is in very good shape and has a very interesting surface!

Colored with oxides, this early piece is lead glazed and has beautiful blend of green and orange. It also has hand-applied, whimsical, slip decorations all around the upper third of the exterior, that have a chain-like appearance. Adding to its charm are sections of the surface left exposed and unglazed by the potter on purpose. The area near the bottom and the underside itself were left this way so when stored on the cellar floor, the unglazed surface would soak up dampness and chill the piece, effectively refrigerating what was stored inside. The interior of the pitcher is completely glazed so that there would be no contamination of the contents.

This piece has an applied handle that's never been damaged. And, there is a pinched spout at the top that somehow remains in very good condition to this day. This was the type of container that saw regular use; it wasn't considered special back in its day. It shows age, wear and has typical flaws but as you can see, it's in nice condition for its age! Over the years it sustained a few little issues like a teeny chip in the opening rim. There's also a thin, tight, two inch hairline that runs down from the rim. It's hard to see and doesn't catch a fingernail and isn't a structural concern. This is a solid, rugged, heavier-than-it-looks piece of pottery that's thick-walled and well-preserved. It has a few contact marks from touching other pieces when it was fired. It also has a couple of patches of seed bubbles in the glaze from when it was made. Such manufacturing flaws were common with primitive, utilitarian pottery pieces and only add to its charm today. We do our best to point things out and tend to be overly descriptive sometimes!

As for size, this pitcher is about 10 1/4 inches tall with an opening that measures 5 1/4 inches across the spout. The bottom measures 4 3/8 inches in diameter; at its widest point in the middle, it measures 7 1/2 inches. As the photos show, it displays wonderfully and is very nice. Guaranteed old and authentic, this redware pitcher is a unique piece of pottery that's sure to draw attention wherever its displayed! You won't be disappointed in this!