This article covers three pottery operations at two sites:
- Peter Berns Pottery (1855 to 1863) located at 9th and Superior Streets made earthenware pottery from local clay. No pottery examples or sherds have been attributed to this pottery yet.
- Gunther & Berns pottery (1863 to 1866) at 8th & Wisconsin Streets. They made salt glazed pottery.
- Eastern Stoneware Company (1866 to 1885) also at 8th & Wisconsin Streets. They also made salt-glazed stoneware.
Read the article: Eastern Stoneware Co. (will open in a new tab in your browser)
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Gunther & Berns and Eastern Stoneware Co. Stoneware Examples
Most of the decorated stoneware from the Eastern Stoneware Company had a floral motif referred to as a "water plant" or simply as a variation on the tulip. While larger crocks and churns commonly had cobalt blue decorations, smaller pieces were often left unadorned because the additional time required could not be justified economically given the low return on small wares sold at a fixed rate per gallon.
Gunther & Berns - 1863 to 1866
Decorated stoneware from this period are relatively rare compared to those from the Th. Gunther era after Berns sold out in 1866.
The cobalt elongated four-petal tulip decoration on this six-gallon churn is exceptional. Private collection.
Gunther butter churn dated 1866 with two sets of three incised lines and ear handles. One of the few dated pieces of Wisconsin stoneware, this large churn may have been created to mark the year in which Theodore Gunther purchased Peter Berns' share of the Eastern Stone Ware Factory and became its sole proprietor. Heavily decorated with cobalt, the churn bears an elaborate tulip motif above the date. In its lavish decoration the 1866 churn differs markedly from the simpler decorations on most later Gunther salt-glazed wares. This piece was part of the collection of the late Margaret (Gunther) Van Handel and her son Ray. She is Theodore's granddaughter.
The cobalt decoration on this churn is almost identical to some Charles Hermann pieces. It is often referred to as a Dauffenbach flower. Charles Dauffenbach later used a flower like this on the pottery he made in New Ulm, . after he moved there in 1867.
Stamped with the standard Gunther & Berns oval and capacity. The The elegant and well rendered cobalt flower is quite different from the tulip motif found on most Eastern Stoneware pieces. Decorated and stamped Gunther & Berns jugs are very rare, and this one is unusually large.
Two-gallon salt-glazed handled jug has the Gunther & Berns oval stamp and "2" centered above the flower. It has an exceptional triple flower decoration. that resembles the decoration on a Charles Hermann piece from Milwaukee. Theodore Gunther worked for Hermann for a few years before coming to Sheboygan to partner with Peter Berns. It seems likely that these pieces were decorated by Th. Gunther.
A decoration like this also appears on a four-gallon crock stamped C. Hermann Milwaukee. Theodore Gunther worked at Hermann from 1859 to 1863 before coming to Sheboygan. This piece and a Gunther & Berns crock with a similar decoration may have been decorated by Th, Gunther between 1863 and 1866.
A decoration like this also appears on a four-gallon crock stamped C. Hermann Milwaukee. Theodore Gunther worked a Hermann from 1859 tot 1863 before coming to Sheboygan This piece and a Gunther & Berns field jug with a similar decoration may have been decorated by T, Gunther between 1863 and 1866.
This churn is offered in the 2023 summer auction of Crocker Farms, lot 79. It is stamped Balsley Detroit. It is shown here because the flower resembles the decorations on several Wisconsin stoneware from Gunther, Gunther Berns and Charles Hermann. It is interesting because William and his son Peter worked for Balsley in Detroit in the late 1850's before coming to Milwaukee. William worked for Maxfield, than Hermann and Gunther. The artists doen't appear to be the same person, but it could be a less skilled decorator copying the flower.
This piece is unmarked but has a classic early Eastern Stoneware Company tulip decoration. It resembles decorations on Gunther & Berns pieces but could be an early Gunther.
This piece is stamped with the standard Gunther & Berns oval and capacity. Note the three incised lines just below the rim.
This well decorated six-gallon butter pot features a jumbo two four-petal tulips plus two flowers buds with two petals, a frequent motif on Gunther & Berns wares. Ear handles and two incised lines at the handles. It is stamped.
This three-gallon butter pot is stamped with the standard Gunther & Berns oval and "3" gallon capacity. It has ear handles and one incised line just below the ears.
Gunther & Berns five-gallon crock with a large, four-flower decoration. The upper flowers have a series of dots between the petals which is unusual for Gunther. It is stamped near the left ear handle and has a stamped "5" in the center and an incised line.
This low butter pot is stamped with the standard Gunther & Berns oval and capacity but no flower decoration.
These are stamped with the standard Gunther & Berns oval which is unusual. Most bottles are stamped with the bottler's name or are not stamped. These bottles are believed to have been used by the Gutsch Brewing company and later by the Sheboygan Mineral Water Company.
Half-gallon salt-glazed cream pot with Albany slip inside, 7" tall. The bottom shows evidence of being cut from the wheel with a pair of wires twisted together, a common trait of smaller Gunther & Berns pieces. It was part of the collection of Margaret (Gunther) Van Handel and her son Ray. She is Theodore's granddaughter.
This is the standard oval stamp that was used on all marked Gunther & Berns stoneware. It reads "TH. GUNTHER / & / BERNS / SHEBOYGAN.". After Berns sold out in 1866 Gunther simply removed the "& BERNS" and continued to use the same stamp.
Th. Gunther - 1867 to 1885
Many examples of both signed and unsigned stoneware from the Th. Gunther era survive today. In the early years the flower buds were large and long and stamps were placed in the upper left. Over time, the flower buds evolved into more compact form and the stamps were in the upper right position.
Top row: four bowls from Th. Gunther. They are Albany glazed on the lower exteriors.
Second row: Early stamped Th. Gunther crocks. The incised lines are just below the rims and stamps are offset left.
Third row: Four Gunther & Berns bottles and three early crocks with horizontal tulips.
Bottom row: Three early stamped Gunther cocks with exceptional flowers.
Salt-glazed Water dispenser made for the Sheboygan Mineral Water Company at the Th. Gunther Pottery. 25” tall including the cover. Private collection. It was part of the collection of Margaret (Gunther) Van Handel and her son Ray. She is Theodore's granddaughter.
When Gunther bought out Peter Berns in 1866 he simply removed the "& BERNS" and continued using the same stamp. Both are 1 5/8" wide. Note the period after the word SHEBOYGAN. Gunther rarely dipped the stamp in cobalt.
Gunther apparently had only one set of capacity stamps, but some pieces have only painted digits or no capacity at all. Because the font is distinctive they can positively identify a Gunther piece even if the stamp is missing or illegible.
This piece has an elongated, four-petal tulip decoration with a vertical line in the center and incised "3" and two lines below the rim. It is unknown if it is stamped based upon the photo.
Wheel-turrned, salt-glaze six-gallon crock with ear handles and incised line and centered "6". The vivid detailed flowers are an unusual variation of the typical Gunther floral decoration. Stamped with the TH, GUNTHER oval on left. Private collection
Wheel-trurned, salt-glaze six-gallon crock with ear handles and incised line and "3". The flower is an unusual variation of the typical Gunther flower. Stamped with the TH, GUNTHER oval. Private collection
The decoration is a variation of the typical Gunther flower with two large, buds and nine lines extending from each stem and a verticle line in the center. Stamped to the left with the TH, GUNTHER oval and a "3". Private collection.
The decoration is a variation of the typical Gunther flower with two large, upright buds and three lines extending from each stem and a vertical line in the center. Stamped to the left with the TH, GUNTHER oval and a "3". Private collection.
Center gallon stamp. Vertical tulip decoration with base of decoration at base of the piece.
The decoration is an typical Gunther flower that features two horizontal flowers and a third shorter flower in the center. Stamped to the left with the TH, GUNTHER oval and a "5". Private collection
Earlier stamp on left. Tulips angle upward.
The decoration is a variation of typical Gunther flower that incorporates dots in the curvy horizontal flowers. Stamped to the left with the TH, GUNTHER oval and a "6". Private collection
The decoration is an typical Gunther flower with two horizontal elongated buds flower. Stamped to the left with the TH, GUNTHER oval and a centered "3" with a small blob of cobalt over the stamp. Private collection
Early, decorated with horizontal two-petal flowers and a single incised line below the handles plus a stamped three capacity.
Horizontal flower decoration, Stamp on left but is probably Th. Gunther as Berns cannot be discerned from the photo.
Horizontal Floral decoration, centered numeral.
This three-gallon crock is stamped with the standard Gunther & Berns oval inear the left handle and "3" gallon capacity. It has ear handle and three incised lines just below the rim.
The decoration is a typical Gunther flower with two large, horizontal buds. Stamped to the left with the TH, GUNTHER oval and a "3". Private collection.
The decoration is an typical Gunther flower with two buds. Stamped to the left with the TH, GUNTHER oval and a "3". Private collection
Gunther four-gallon butter churn the typical Gunther flower with two buds and a horizontal strip in the front below the rim.. Stamped to the left with the TH. GUNTHER oval and a "3". Private collection.
Stamp on right. Double drooping tulip decoration.
Decoration is the three blossom decoration with the stamp offset right.
Gunther four-gallon crock with the Th. Gunther stamp to the right. Typical flower decoration with three blossoms, two incised lines and ear handles.
The oval stamp on this piece is offset right and is characteristically difficult to read. Left flower droops, right flower is upright.
Salt-glazed crock with a upright double tulip decoration and oval Th. Gunther stamp near the right ear handle.
Double tulip with sinuous stems.
Perhaps after a hard night at the saloon, Theodore had difficulty staying between the lines with his coloring. Seriously, the flours are "jauntily" positioned indicating motion and one stem traverses the rim.
The decoration is the standard flower with the addition of a cobalt circle surrounded by dots. The standard flower could be a fanciful tulip or crocus or may not represent any real flower at all.
The decoration is the typical Gunther flower buds with a line and dots between them and a horizontal stripe in the front below the rim.. Stamped to the left with the TH, GUNTHER oval and a "3". Private collection
Three flower buds with dropping stems with dots below and a horizontal blue stripe on the front below the rim. Capacity mark and two incised lines below the ear handles. Stamped to the right with the TH, GUNTHER oval. Private collection.
Unmarked stoneware handled jug with a diminutive Gunther-style cobalt tulip decoration and an incised "3". Decorated Gunther jugs are rare.
Signed Gunther jugs are very rare for unknown reasons. Notice the verticle chatter marks from the tool used to form the sides of the jug.
Two stems with upright leaves decoration. The oval stamp on this piece is offset right and is characteristically difficult to read. The decoration is believed to be a willow branch.
Gunther mechanical butter churn with Ash eight-blade beater that fit on a shaft. The cock sat in a wooden frame that was powered by a hand crank.
Six-gallon capacity butter pot decorated with two stems with leaves on either side of the spindle hole. Stamped with the TH, GUNTHER oval in the center. This piece was part of a wooden butter churn apparatus. A crank-driven set of beaters was seated inside. Opposite the hole is a recessed square dimple allowing the shaft end to seat in place. It was part of the collection of Margaret (Gunther) Van Handel and her son Ray. She is Theodore's granddaughter.
Gunther crock with spindle and drain holes decorated with two stems with leaves on either side of the hole. Stamped to the right with the TH, GUNTHER oval. This piece was part of a wooden butter churn apparatus.
A crank driven set of beaters was seated inside. Opposite the hole is a recessed dimple allowing the shaft to seat in place. Private collection.
Three-gallon Gunther butter pot with a heavy "oatmeal" surface texture and many speckles. The ear handles have unusual terminations. The thin Albany on the inside sagged, causing the upper part of the interior to be unglazed. It was part of the collection of Margaret (Gunther) Van Handel and her son Ray. She is Theodore's granddaughter.
Glazed with Albany on the inside and lower part of the exterior. It was designed to be stackable for storage.
Lid for crock, size cannot be determined from the photo.
Salt-glazed Th. Gunther butter churn cover
Family tradition attributes this exceptional flowerpot to William Gunther, one of Theodore's two sons, who worked in the pottery before entering medical school. However, some descendants of the Gunthers' question the ability of a young apprentice to execute so detailed a piece and suggest that this flowerpot was a specialty item created by a more experienced member of the factory crew. The attached saucer, incised shoulder lines, crimped rims, and especially the rope-twist handles would require a potter of considerable skill, but no definite attribution to him seems possible.
Unmarked Gunther jar with cover, 6 1/4" tall The bottom shows evidence that it was cut from the wheel with a pair of wires twisted together, a common trait of smaller Gunther & Berns pieces. This piece was part of the collection of the late Margaret (Gunther) Van Handel and her son Ray. She is Theodore's granddaughter.
Wheel-thrown stoneware mug with handle and slightly footed base with Albany slip inside and out, 5" tall. 3 1/2" diameter. It was part of the collection of Margaret (Gunther) Van Handel and her son Ray. She is Theodore's granddaughter.
Although this finely crafter soup tureen observes most of the conventions employed in the manufacture of tableware by the Easrern Stoneware Factory, it was certainly not a production item. The footed tureen. wheel-turned with Albany slip glaze inside and out, a well fitted cover with concave slope and knobbed handle. It is not stamped. It was part of the collection of Margaret (Gunther) Van Handel and her son Ray. She is Theodore's granddaughter. 10" tall. 9" diameter.
From left to right: 8" tall, 7 1/2" tall, 10" tall. These were part of the collection of the late Margaret (Gunther) Van Handel and her son Ray. She is Theodore's granddaughter.
Unmarked Gunther milk pitcher attributed to Th. Gunther, 8" tall with handle and incised line. It was part of the collection of Margaret (Gunther) Van Handel and her son Ray. She is Theodore's granddaughter.
Unmarked half-gallon Gunther jug with Albany slip glaze. It was part of the collection of Margaret (Gunther) Van Handel and her son Ray. She is Theodore's granddaughter.
Unmarked Gunther pitcher with no spout with Albany slip glaze. 7 1/2" tall. It was part of the collection of Margaret (Gunther) Van Handel and her son Ray. She is Theodore's granddaughter.
Four Albany slip glazed jug. The two in the back are one-gallon capacity. The wide mouthed jug is a half-gallon and the smallest is a quart size. These pieces were part of the collection of the late Margaret (Gunther) Van Handel and her son Ray. She is Theodore's granddaughter.
One-gallon jug with loop handle and Albany slip glaze, 9" tall. Gunther's Albany glaze tended to be thin, so pieces have sign of dripping. This distinguishes them from other potters who made similar forms. It was part of the collection of Margaret (Gunther) Van Handel and her son Ray. She is Theodore's granddaughter.
Typical Gunther handle terminations on unmarked jugs in the Van Handel collection. Unlike Hermann Albany jug handle terminations which were often shaped like a fish tail, these are simply oval-shaped, much like similar jug elsewhere in the U.S. This jug was part of the collection of Margaret (Gunther) Van Handel and her son Ray. She is Theodore's granddaughter.
Unmarked half-gallon Gunther jug with Albany slip glaze and handle. It was part of the collection of Margaret (Gunther) Van Handel and her son Ray. She is Theodore's granddaughter.
Unmarked one-quart jar with Albany slip glaze inside and out. 6" tall. It was part of the collection of Margaret (Gunther) Van Handel and her son Ray. She is Theodore's granddaughter.
Unmarked Gunther two-gallon jar with Albany slip glaze, 12" tall. It was part of the collection of Margaret (Gunther) Van Handel and her son Ray. She is Theodore's granddaughter.
A rare surviving account statement dated Nov. 10. 1885 a Mr. H. Scheele for purchases made in June through October 1885 provides a glimpse of Gunther' s prices. That sale was among the last made at the Eastern Stone Ware Factory, for Theodore Gunther died at the end of the month, Oct. 27, 1885
Gunther envelope 3 1/2" x 6" addressed to Emil Gunther.
Gunther envelope 3 1/2" x 6" unused.
