Early Red Ware Pennsylvania Slip Decorated Pottery Museum Quality

Porcelain : Antique : Pa : Red : Ware

 

This is an amazing and early American, most likely Pennsylvania, piece of red ware. It dates to the late 1700s to early 1800s, so 16th to 17th century. It was prized by the Maine family we bought it from and by family stories was carried from Pennsylvania to Maine when the family shifted to a farm here in the mid 1800s. The piece is red ware decorated with multi colored Slip decoration and various florets and other details. The family had been told it was a candle shield, but I am not sure as it does not stand on its own, though perhaps it was inset into a base. The other hypothesis is that it might have been a cover to a large casserole dish or something of that sort. It does have a small original hole by the handle perhaps to vent heat. Again, I am not sure as the handle is a bit unusual and not so ergonomic and the shape is unusual, so both theories are just that. If you have some knowledge or ideas feel free to share as we love to learn. There is no doubt to age and it is complete not broken or missing anything. To me it has a museum quality about it and we certainly have not seen it’s like in all our years of antiques. It measures 8.25 x 7 x 2 inches. I see no damage, some expected light antique wear, overall in what I would deem excellent condition.

Item ID: 324