Rare Slip-Decorated Redware Bottle, Inscribed "S.C.," New England origin, possibly Peter Clark, Danvers or Braintree, MA or Lyndeboro, NH, 18th or early 19th century, pyriform bottle with footed base, incised wavy line decoration to shoulder, and semi-rounded spout, decorated with the brushed yellow-slip initials, "S.C.," followed by a numbers of circles, all separated by a series of vertical stripes. Additional spotted yellow-slip decoration flanking the lettering and circles, a brushed stripe around base, and a yellow slip highlight around spout. Surface covered in a clear lead glaze over a spotted orange ground, flecked with iron. When purchased by the consignor, ceramics expert, J. Garrison Stradling, suggested this bottle may have been made by Lyndeboro, Massachusetts potter, Peter Clark (1743-1826). According to Lura Woodside Watkins in Early New England Potters and Their Wares, Clark likely learned the potter's trade from his father (also named Peter) in Danvers, MA and had established a pottery in Braintree, Massachusetts by 1763. He moved to Lyndeboro, New Hampshire in 1775, where he and his sons produced redware for several decades. The strong Charlestown, Massachusetts influence seen in this work's heavily-brushed yellow slip suggest it may be an 18th century product. If made by Peter Clark, the bottle may date to his earliest years in Danvers, his twelve-year stint in Braintree, or during his first few decades in Lyndeboro. Other pieces by Clark with yellow slip decoration are unknown, although a jar attributed to his hand, in the collection of the New Hampshire Historical Society, exhibits similar incised line decoration. Provenance: Purchased by the consignor from the Stradlings, New York, NY in August 1985. Excellent, essentially as-made condition with a tiny fleck of glaze loss to top of spout and a minor in-the-firing ping near base. H 5 1/2".
