Lorraine German
The Little Pottery of Charlestown, Massachusetts

Ceramics in America 2021

Full Article
Contents
  • Figure 1
    Figure 1

    Jar (detail), Frederick Carpenter, Little Pottery, Charlestown, Massachusetts, dated 1804. Salt-glazed stoneware. H. 13". Stamped: on neck, “2”; on shoulder, “BOSTON. / 1804.” (The Chapman Collection; photo, Robert Hunter.) This is a detail of the stoneware jar illustrated in fig. 7.

  • Figure 2
    Figure 2

    Peter Tufts and Annin & Smith, Plan of Charlestown Peninsula in the State of Massachusetts ([Boston]: s.n, 1818). Hand-colored map, 16 15/16 x 20 7/8". (Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/item /2011589326/.) The property was in the northern part of town on the Medford River, later known as the Mystic River. 

  • Figure 3
    Figure 3

    Detail of the map illustrated in fig. 2 showing the projected location of the Little Pottery. 

  • Figure 4
    Figure 4

    Bean/butter pot, Frederick Carpenter, Little Pottery, Charlestown, Massachusetts, 1801–1811. Salt-glazed stoneware. H. 7 3/8". (Ex–Georgiana Greer Collection; photo, courtesy of the author.) 

  • Figure 5
    Figure 5

    Jar, Frederick Carpenter, Little Pottery, Charlestown, Massachusetts, 1801–1811. Salt-glazed stoneware. H. 13 1/8". Stamped: on neck, “2”; on shoulder, “BOSTON.” (Ex–Georgiana Greer Collection; photos, courtesy of the author.)  

  • Figure 6
    Figure 6

    Jar, Frederick Carpenter, Little Pottery, Charlestown, Massachusetts, 1801–1811. Salt-glazed stoneware. H. 16". Stamped: on neck, “3”; on shoulder, “BOSTON.” (Photos, courtesy of the author.) 

  • Figure 7
    Figure 7

    Jar, Frederick Carpenter, Little Pottery, Charlestown, Massachusetts, 1801–1811. Salt-glazed stoneware. H. 16". Stamped: on neck, “3”; on shoulder, “BOSTON.” (Photos, courtesy of the author.) 

  • Figure 8
    Figure 8

    Jar, Frederick Carpenter, Little Pottery, Charlestown, Massachusetts, dated 1804. Salt-glazed stoneware. H. 10". Stamped: on shoulder, “1804. / BOSTON.” (Photo, courtesy of the author.) This example holds one gallon. 

  • Figure 9
    Figure 9

    Jug, Frederick Carpenter, Little Pottery, Charlestown, Massachusetts, dated 1804. Salt-glazed stoneware. H. 16". Stamped, on neck, “BOSTON. / 1804.”; on shoulder, “3” (Courtesy, Crocker Farm, Inc.)

  • Figure 10
    Figure 10

    Detail of the swag mark on the jug illustrated in fig. 9.

  • Figure 11
    Figure 11

    Jar, Frederick Carpenter, Little Pottery, Charlestown, Massachusetts, dated 1804. Salt-glazed stoneware. Dimensions not recorded. Stamped, on rim, “3”; on reverse, shoulder, “BOSTON. / 1804.” (The Chapman Collection; photos, Robert Hunter.) Three-gallon jar.

  • Figure 12
    Figure 12

    Detail of the swag mark on the jar illustrated in fig. 11. 

  • Figure 13
    Figure 13

    Jar, Frederick Carpenter, Little Brothers Pottery, Charlestown, Massachusetts, dated 1804. Salt-glazed stoneware. H. 12". Stamped: on neck, “BOSTON 1804”, on rim: “2”  (Private collection; photo courtesy of the author.) 

  • Figure 14
    Figure 14

    Reverse of the jar illustrated in figure 13.

  • Figure 15
    Figure 15

    Jar, Frederick Carpenter, Little Pottery, Charlestown, Massachusetts, dated 1806. Salt-glazed stoneware. H. 10". Incised on side, “Mrs Elesebeth Tarbell 1806”; stamped, on shoulder, “BOSTON.” (Courtesy, Adam Weitsman Stoneware Collection; photos, Crocker Farm, Inc.)