1878 - 1896
Antique primitive salt glazed stoneware three-gallon size BLUE BIRD crock made by Adam Caire, in Poughkeepsie, New York, 1878 - 1896.
We are proud to offer this example of the work of Adam Caire, entrusted to us by the Caire Family. The Caire family has hope that this beautiful crock will find a warm and safe spot in someone's loving home collection.
Philip Riedinger and Adam Caire began a partnership built on experience and youthful vibrance. Riedinger had been working in Hudson, New York with Edward Selby and Louis Lehman, and was an experienced and trained potter. He came to Poughkeepsie following Lehman's arrival there in 1852, and the two partnered there until 1857. In that year, Adam Caire who had been completing an apprenticeship, working in Hartford CT. and South Amboy, N.J. was ready to buy out Lehman's shares, and the firm of Riedinger & Caire was formed. Seasoned experience combined with youthful exuberance!
Adam Caire was no stranger to Poughkeepsie as since 1842, his family had been potters there. His father John, brother Jacob and cousin Frederick, among other family members, are all potters of note in Poughkeepsie's deep history of stoneware manufacturing. There should be an added note here to stoneware history buffs...
"Adam Caire's long six-year apprenticeship in two key locations of South Amboy and Hartford, mid-century, is no surprise. These two locations along with West Troy, crop up in stoneware history quite often as "schools of stoneware". Many of the legendary potters of the 19th century served apprenticeships at these fabled large production potteries."
The partnership of Riedinger & Caire lasted until Riedinger's passing in 1878. The partners made STUNNING stoneware! In 1878, Adam Caire became sole owner of the pottery, and it remained in business until just after Caire's passing in 1896. In addition to beautiful stoneware, the pottery made sewer tile, roofing tile, drainpipes, flowerpots and some molded ware for the home.
This is a great example of the artisan work from the Adam Caire Pottery. This is a three-gallon straight sided crock with applied lug handles. The potter gave us a rounded and flattened lip, a shiny final coat of salt glaze and an interior wash of Albany slip glaze.
On the face are this large blue bird crested atop a nest of leaves and tendrils. This work was done by hand by an expert artisan who hand painted these in blue cobalt glaze. The work is completely mid-century New York, Hudson River quality.
Above the bird is the stamped capacity (3) for the gallons the crock will hold and the impressed maker's stamp which reads;
ADAM CAIRE
PO'KEEPSIE, N.Y.
The crock is 10 1/4" tall and 11" wide. There is a hairline on the front from the lip and a glaze flake off the front side lip surface.
This would be an asset for any collector, but also could be used in the home as a design element. This is a large size crock which can easily hold down a blank corner or spot in your home or office. Fill it with fun and Enjoy!
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Provenance: Caire Family