Extremely Rare Redware Loaf Dish Mold, Inscribed "T H / His Mould / February / 5th / 1813," Thomas Hill, Flemington, NJ, 1813, heavy oval mold for producing redware loaf dishes, incised with the large initials, "T H," accented with diagonally incised lines, along with the words, "His Mould," and date, "February / 5th / 1813." Relatively few original dish molds from 19th century redware potteries have survived, this example being among the earliest dated American examples known. Interestingly, the pottery that used this mold would later become the famous Stangl Pottery, most well known from producing art pottery until 1980. Literature: This mold appears to be mentioned in Branin's The Early Makers of Handcrafted Earthenware and Stoneware in Southern and Central New Jersey in the following passage: "Prior to its closing in 1980, the Stangl Pottery of Flemington was the oldest pottery in New Jersey. Founded in 1814 (or early 1815) by Samuel Hill, and have later undergone several changes in ownership, it was in almost continuous service for 145 years. ... The year 1805 occasionally is mentioned as the founding date of the pottery, but there seems to be no firm basis for this claim. The early date is said to have been based on the finding of an old plate mold or 'chum' with [Samuel] Hill's initials incised on it. However, the Hunterdon County Democrat-Advertiser on 7 July 1910 noted that the chum found in the plant was incised, 'S.H., his mould, Feb. 5, 1813,' which is a more likely date." (Branin, p. 130). The Samuel Hill mentioned in Branin's book is the son of Thomas Hill of New Brunswick, and the description of the mold as being signed by Samuel and not Thomas is probably in error. Provenance: Discovered in one of the original buildings of Hill-Fulper-Stangl potteries in 1910; later displayed in one of these buildings, which served as a museum for the potteries. An old museum tag affixed to the interior of the mold read, "FULPER POTTERY / Mould / Made in 1813." A second partial is labeled "FULPER." Two edge chips. Expected wear. L 14 1/2" x 11 1/4".
