Very Rare Isaac Boyer, Adams County, PA, 1848 Lidded Redware Presentation Jar

Summer 2025 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 188

Price Realized: $1,560.00

($1,300 hammer, plus 20% buyer's premium)

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Summer 2025 Auction Catalog

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Very Rare Lidded Redware Presentation Jar with Manganese Glaze, Inscribed "This Jar / Was made by / Isaac Boyer when / this you see remem / ber me July th 8 / 1848," Adams County, PA origin, 1848, ovoid jar with footed base, pronounced shoulder molding and semi-squared rim, the surface covered in a mottled, reddish-brown lead-and-manganese glaze. Underside with cursive inscription by Adams County, Pennsylvania potter, Isaac Boyer, including the rhyming verse, "when this you see remember me." The name, "Ester Boyer," likely referring to the jar's owner, is additionally incised on the underside, running in an opposing direction from the inscription. Isaac Boyer is noted in Lasansky, Central Pennsylvania Redware Pottery, p. 16, as a potter working in Menallen Twp., Adams County. Original research on this family suggests strongly that both his widowed mother and his sister were named Ester. Includes original domed lid with incised wavy line decoration, pointed finial, and matching glaze. A finely-potted work with unusually elaborate inscription carrying a sentimental tone. Jar in very nice condition with some wear to shoulder molding, light wear to rim, and a faint 1" line from rim. Lid with shallow chips and wear to edge, two minor chips to flange on its underside, as well as two cracks extending from rim towards finial, each including some coloring to underside. H 9".