14 - - Antiques & Auction News — June 22, 2018 antiquesandauctionnews.

net

The Archaeology Of An 18th-Century Pottery In Lancaster, Pa.

By Justin W. Thomas

The production of red

earthenware and stoneware
in Lancaster, Pa., is likely most
known today for the wares
produced by the Gast family,
especially those made by
Henry Gast (1806-89) and his
son, Henry Gast, Jr. (1836-
1924), during the circa 1825-90
period, as well as another
pottery operated by the
Swope family in the 19th cen-
tury. However, a fairly recent
archaeological dig by AECOM
(formerly URS Corporation) of
Burlington, N.J., has proven
there was also a significant
and practically unknown pot-
tery established in Lancaster
that produced Moravian-style
red earthenware as early as
the 1780s.
According to the Red Rose
Transit Authority in Lancaster
County, “In August and
September 2009, RRTA broke
ground on Queen Street
Station Phase III, located on
the corner of Queen and
This is a view of the 18th-century kiln
floor. This site was excavated by
archaeologists in 2009.
Remains of a salt-glazed cobalt deco-
rated stoneware jar were recovered at
the site of the kiln and trash pile, but it
The red earthenware deep dish deco-
rated with tulip and slip-decoration
was recovered at the site of the kiln
and trash pile in Lancaster, Pa.
Chestnut streets in downtown
Lancaster, based on an
archaeological survey con-
ducted in 2008.”
“As part of the Queen
Street Station construction,
an archaeological excavation
was completed at the site,
which focused on four key
areas previously identified. 1)
a privy/refuse pit possibly
related to the Jacob Bitner
family, 2) the remains of an
18th century red earthenware
potter’s kiln and waste pile, 3)
a stone lined well, and 4) a
brick passenger tunnel relat-
ed to a mid-19th century train
depot complex.”
Archaeologists did identi-
fy the remains of the potter’s
kiln although cannot say with
certainty who the potter was.
It may have belonged to Jacob
Marx (1750-1828), a German
potter from Charlestown, Md.,
who operated his pottery in
Lancaster during the years
1781-92. Nevertheless,
Lancaster was also apparently
home to several other red
earthenware potteries in the
late-18th and early-19th cen-
tury.
“Jacob Marx purchased a
lot of land in downtown
Lancaster from Melchoir
At top are an unusual crimped rim
sherds with slip-decoration. At bottom
are dish sherds decorated with slip This is a utilitarian pot with a brown
interior glaze and two small
and a green glaze.
slip-decorated sherds.
Snyder Jr. in 1780. He is also
listed on the Lancaster if not for this archaeological
Borough tax list as a potter in evidence. Varieties of glazes
1782 and appeared on the were also recovered, includ-
1790 census for Lancaster City ing green, black and brown.
with a household of one male Distribution from this pot-
under 16 and four females. He tery may have been limited to
does not appear to have lived the local marketplace of about
in Lancaster City in 1800, and 3,700 people in 1790 since so
in 1828, an estate inventory little has been documented
was filed for ‘Jacobs Marks,’ a about 18th century production
potter nearby in Conestoga, in Lancaster. But there may
Pennsylvania.” have been another business
The artisan responsible model, as well, because
for this red earthenware pro- Lancaster was strategically
duction was apparently a located along the old
remarkably skilled potter and Philadelphia Pike. Trade routes
perhaps just as talented with also connected Lancaster to
the application of multi-col- Maryland and communities in
ored slip-decoration. The central and
styles of slip recovered Pennsylvania. Either way, I
include abstract designs and have been unsuccessful in
tulips, often resembling 18th- identifying any surviving slip-
century production from decorated pottery from this
some of the German settle- business outside of this
ments in Pennsylvania in archaeological context, but I
places like Philadelphia, assume some must exist today.
Bucks County, Montgomery The recovered forms
County, and Chester County, include storage jars and pots
along with some of the only glazed on the interior,
Southern states. some with applied strap han-
As it may be, another arti- dles, mugs, porringers, small
san may have also been pots or dishes, plates, deep
employed at the pottery in dishes or pans, pitchers, roof
order to apply the slip, which tiles and possibly flowerpots.
may have been a skill mas- Interestingly, there was not a
tered somewhere else in lot of evidence recovered that
America or possibly even would suggest jugs and cham-
Germany. The more elaborate ber pots were regularly pro-
slip-decorations could be duced, which were forms
interpreted as production commonly manufactured at
from elsewhere in the region, many red earthenware and
Here are slip-decorated red earthen-
ware plate or dish sherds.
furniture used in stacking and
These are various slip-decorated red separating the pots inside of
earthenware sherds recovered at the the kiln. Archaeologists even
site of the kiln and trash pile in recovered a few pieces of
Lancaster, Pa. inscribed kiln waste that may
stoneware businesses in represent the potter’s writing.
Pennsylvania before and after The remains of a cobalt-
the American Revolution. A decorated stoneware jar with
noteworthy form that was twisted handles was also
also recovered were refined recovered. But no further evi-
small saucers or bowls with dence was discovered that
an intentionally glazed base would suggest stoneware was
and a tooled foot ring. manufactured at this site,
The kiln remains consisted even though dual production
of saggars (containers made of both red earthenware and
by the potter to protect fragile stoneware occurred with a
objects), floor tiles and kiln Continued on page 15
21st Century Antiques
northern
spring doll auction
SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018
PREVIEW 11 A.M. AUCTION 12:30 P.M.
Burlington City VFW, 159 West Pearl St.,
BURLINGTON, NJ 08016
Come join us to play with dolls from all generations at our spring sale. Great
German & Japanese bisque - AM, Indians, ABG, Borgfeldt, Schoneau
Hoffmeister, Heubach, Simon Halbig, Morimura, Bye-Lo, Multi-faced, cabinet
sized, Googly, Character babies, Parians, Unis France, more. Other Early
Dolls: Greiners, other papier-maché & China, Wax over, Schoenhut wood dolls,
folk art cloth, Lenci, more. Composition: 20’s & 30’s Effanbee, Alexander,
American Character, Horsman, Happy Babies, etc. Mid Century: Hard plastic
Alexanders, 14” Mary Hoyer and 18” Gigi, Ginny, Sandra Sue, Fashion Girls,
Betsy McCall, Toni, etc. Mattel Barbie family (vintage & new) & fashions,
Kiddles, Dollhouse miniatures, Teddy bears, Cabbage Patch, Comic Characters,
Wizard of Oz, Little Souls, J Chein Tea sets, Doll clothing, furniture, parts,
wigs, etc.
toys - MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2018
Preview 4 P.M. Auction 5 P.M.
A ton of toys are lined up for our sale spanning the 30’s through the 80’s with
a special emphasis on 60’s era toys. Marx & other Playsets: Flintstones 98%
complete w/box, Tom Corbett Space Academy, Service Station Set, Happy
Times Farm, Knights & Vikings, Roy Rogers, Stagecoach, WWII playset parts,
Ideal Countdown OB, Deluxe Reading Operation X-500 OB, Remco Project
Yankee Doodle OB, 100s of playset figures, Nice set of 6” Cavemen Figs.
Capguns - Hubley Rifleman Flip Special, Marx Mini sets, Hubley Flintlock
set, rare Stevens dual holster Repeater w/Buffalo Bill on handles, Single Gene
Autry capgun w/dual holster, Trooper, tin clickers, keychain specials, Marx
tommy guns, +. Eclectic Toys - Marx Fred Riding Construction Dinosaur BO,
Hasbro GI Joe 12” Action Solider NMIB, Mattel Redline Hot Wheels w/tin
badges, Early gray wheel Matchbox, J. Chein collection from Burlington City
incl. scarce snow - themed Ski-Lift Roller Coaster, drum, Advertising trivet,
Spaceman top, Nursery rhyme. 1955 Marx Climbing Fireman. Rare Clinton
- Gardner WWII wooden war toy Trenton manufacturer, Wilesco Steam Toy,
100s dimestore toys lots. Tin - Plastic - Ad Banks, Smurf Dinner Set MISP.
Original 60’s Aurora Monster model kits - The Witch OB, Dracula, Wolfman,
Frankie, Phantom, Hunchback, Mummy & Godzilla. Other model kits. 1st Gen
Boxed Transformers - Optimus Prime, Mighty Devastator, Metal Japan figure,
large group smaller scale transformers, Glowfriends case w/12 scarce figs. Tin
friction vehicles, cast iron, lots of plastic, some battery-op. Tootsies, Midge,
Hubley + Lots more unlisted!
Directions: from North - Rt. 295 S. to Burlington/Mount Holly Exit. 541 North/west toward
Burlington. Once in Burlington City, 541 becomes High Street. Continue on High street into
Burlington, cross Rt. 130. Turn left on West Pearl - last left you can make. VFW is about 2 blocks up
on right. From Phila.: 95 N. to Betsy Ross Bridge, cross into New Jersey. Rte 130 North for about 10
miles. Left on High Street (Rt. 541). Follow above directions. Look for white signs. Food on site.
Terms: Cash or Check w/proper ID. CC w/3% processing fee. No Buyer’s
Premium. New Jersey sales tax collected w/o a valid resale number. Questions?
Call 609-877-6843 or email dolltoy@hotmail.com. Day of sale 609-560-3247.
R011758

Auctioneer not responsible for accidents.

is not known if the jar was manufac- Check auctionzip.com ID#1049 for pics.
The red earthenware bowl was manu- tured by Jacob Marx, another potter in and more details on both sales.
factured with a glazed base and an Lancaster, Pa., or a potter somewhere The pit shows red earthenware artifacts protruding from the back wall at the Absentee & Phone bids welcome. Please call or email by 9 P.M. EST Friday, June 22.
unusual foot ring. else. CHRIS DOERNER, AUCTIONEER
location of the 18th century kiln and trash pile in Lancaster, Pa.

RAILROADIANA AND PUBLIC AUCTION

TOY TRAIN AUCTIONS
10 A.M. SATURDAY, JUNE 30TH
AT THE RIDGE FIRE COMPANY
480 RIDGE ROAD, SPRING CITY, PA 19475
RAILROADIANA AUCTION in the Blue Room: Featuring the Estate of PAUL NESSLE. Mr.
Nessle has assembled a very pleasing and well-rounded collection of Railroadiana. Lots of Lanterns, of various road
names and descriptions. Switch stand and tail lamp lanterns. Cast-iron signs. RR dining car china. PRR Timetables from
the 1930’s to 1960’s. Other RR Ephemera. Nice assortment of “showcase collectibles” such as buttons, badges, keys,
desk accessories from the RR. PRR oak wall phone. Excellent collection of Train and Train Station POSTCARDS.
Numerous actual photo cards and early views. Library of books, in good condition. RR & Train décor, pictures & prints.
RR SLIDES from the Estate of SCOTT COTTNER. This prolific photographs snapped hundreds of views of Trains
on Rails along the East Coast. Select from many hundreds of images, fresh to market. Color photographs, as well.
Collection of Western Maryland Railway photo negatives. Wrecks & derailments. Loco diagrams, maps, brochures.
Blueprints. Roll-style destination signs. Trolley ephemera.
TOY TRAIN AUCTION in the Pavilion: An interesting array of TRAINS includes LIONEL
POSTWAR sets, a bit of Lionel Prewar, American Flyer standard gauge sets, AF postwar, Mighty Marx Trains,
Plasticville and accessories. MODERN ERA Lionel and MTH sets in set boxes, motive power units and accessories.
Please review complete listings at www.auctionzip.com Auctioneer #1892
All items as is, where is.
R011782
SATURDAY, JUNE 30 AT 9:00 A.M.
Springtown Volunteer Fire Co. Banquet Hall,
3010 Route 212
SPRINGTOWN, BUCKS CO., PA 18081
Full Selection of Country Antiques, Dovetailed Blanket Chest, Worktable w/
Old Paint Finish, set/6 Spindle Back Chairs in Maple, Massive Cabinet (gen’l
store type) in Pine, Country Baker’s Table w/Cab. Top, variety/small Country
Collectibles, grouping/later Beer Advertising Items, variety/Hand & Power Tools,
Estate Vehicles to incl.: 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon SUV Hard Top:
87,820 orig. mi., 3.8L V-6 eng., Trail Rated 4x4 vin 1J4GA69158L615402; 2000
Oldsmobile Intrigue 4 Door Sedan, Precision Control System: 74,600 orig. mi.,
3.5L V-6 eng., vin 1B3WX52H7YF262239; 2005 Honda Repsol 1000 RR CBR
Fireblade Motorcycle; 1979 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle: 5441 mi. (AS-IS
cond.-not running), Suzuki Quadzilla Model 500 4 Wheeler, 1994 Kawasaki Super
Sport X-1 Jet Ski; 2010 Load Rite Jet Ski/Boat Trailer: 1405 lb. capacity,
Terms: 13% Buyer’s Premium * CC Accptd. * 3% Discount w/Cash
or Apprd. Check.
Details/Photos at www.auctionzip.com auctioneer #1888
ROBERT H. CLINTON & COMPANY, INC.
Auctioneers & Appraisers

12% Buyer’s Premium. (AY-003006-L)

Preview: Friday, June 29 from
MAURER’S AUCTIONS P.O. Box 29 * Ottsville, PA 18942
Successful Auction Management 610-847-5432 * AY-000093-L
6 P.M.-8 P.M. and from
R011751

8 A.M.-10 A.M. day of auction. Kathy Maurer, Auctioneer 610•970•7588 Email: rhclintonauction@hotmail.com
www.rhclintonauction.com