Antique Country Primitive Folk Pottery Mottled Redware Pitcher, 19th Century, with Decorations

Here’s a scarce, 19th Century redware pitcher in very good condition. Very folksy, it has a bulbous shape along with a pinched spout and an applied handle. It stands about 10 1/4 inches high and its widest point is about 8 1/2 inches in diameter. The bottom measures 4 1/2 inches across while the opening measures about 5 inches across, including the spout.

Coated in lead glaze and colored with the use of oxides, it's primarily green with orange/mustard mottling inside and out. The glaze stops short of the bottom of the piece and the underside are completely uncoated where the patina is grungy and shows lots of age. Best of all, there are charming, whimsical, floral/sunburst slip decorations in three places of the midsection that were applied by hand.

Amazingly, this early piece has managed to survive for more than a century and a half! The opening rim does have a couple of old chips. The exterior surface also has a contact mark where it came in contact with another piece when it was being fired in the kiln way back when. The interior of this piece has some surface wear and glaze loss. Normally, rugged, 1800s redware pieces saw plenty of use in their day and surviving examples that turn up today have some damage which helps authenticate their age. Fortunately, other than what was mentioned, this pitcher has no other damage such as cracks or old repairs and is considerably well preserved.

This is a true example of utilitarian pottery from the mid 1800s that predates salt glazed stoneware. It's thick-walled and heavier than it looks. It’s a beautiful pitcher that was an everyday household item that wasn’t considered special back in its time, but now has become a very collectible and desirable item! Make this old piece a highlight of your collection! You won't be disappointed!