Bennington Rockingham Ware
Another thrift store find! This lovely pitcher, attributed to Bennington Rockingham ware, feels tied to old farmhouse kitchens, wood stoves, and shelves crowded with well-used crockery. The rich brown glaze — warm like strong coffee or molasses — became one of the most beloved pottery styles in 19th-century America.
The story begins over in England, where potters developed what came to be called “Rockingham glaze,” a glossy brown finish with streaks and mottled tones that made every piece look just a little different from the next. American potteries quickly took to the style, and by the 1840s, brown glazed ware was turning up in homes all across the country.
When collectors say “Bennington,” they are usually talking about pottery made in Bennington, Vermont, where the United States Pottery Company became famous for producing some of the finest Rockingham ware in America. For a brief shining period in the mid-1800s, the Bennington potteries turned out everything from humble mixing bowls and pitchers to wonderfully odd mantel ornaments and animal figures.
Part of the charm is that no two pieces ever seem exactly alike. The glaze would flow and drip in the kiln, creating swirls, streaks, and dark caramel tones. Some pieces came out smooth and elegant; others had wild marbling that looked almost accidental — in the best possible way.
The potteries made practical household wares but they also made whimsical decorative pieces that have become collector favorites.
The famous Bennington dogs and poodles especially seem to capture people’s hearts. They sit somewhere between folk art and Victorian parlor decoration.
