The Database is organized by location, but you can find a pottery initially by searching for its name, which is at the top of the of the page with dates of operation below. Alternate names and the names of other potteries on the same site are noted at the top of the right-hand column, just above the pottery’s location.
The types of wares made appear below the pottery name in the left-hand column, followed by the references that informed these classifications.
Sample images of maker’s marks may be enlarged by clicking on the image.
Notes include a variety of information compiled from many standard sources and are presented as miscellaneous tidbits.
In the Gallery and Map Gallery in the right-hand column you will see historic images and insurance maps of the pottery’s facilities if available as well as historic advertisements and images of the wares made.
You can download more detailed information in all of these categories by choosing a PDF of the pottery’s full listing, which also includes the documentary sources. The PDF is text only and does not contain any images. Data from the 1860, 1870 and 1880 industrial censuses area also included in the PDF if they exist for a given pottery. This data gives you a picture of the size of the pottery operation and the age and gender makeup of its work force.
You can help expand the database by contributing pictures and information. Contact POTS by the email address at the bottom of the page.
Harney, W.J. 1929. “Trenton’s First Potteries.” Sunday Times Advertiser, July 7, 14, 21 and 28, 1929.
Lehner, Lois. 1988. Lehner’s Encyclopedia of U.S. Marks on Pottery, Porcelain & Clay. Collector Books, Paducah, Kentucky.
Stern, Marc Jeffrey. 1994. The Pottery Industry of Trenton: A Skilled Trade in Transition, 1850-1929. Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Goldberg, David J. 1998. Preliminary Notes on the Pioneer Potters and Potteries of Trenton, N.J.: The First Thirty Years – 1852 – 1882 (And Beyond). Privately published, Trenton, New Jersey.
Trenton Potteries Company Plant No. 6; Ideal Pottery
Block and Lot: 39-1B/1
Historic Street Address: 379 North Clinton Avenue; 365 North Clinton Avenue; North Clinton Avenue corner Ott Street
Municipality: City of Trenton
Image Gallery
Two Vases, vitreous china, made by Trenton Art China/Trenton Potteries Company, ca. 1935-1942, L 8 in H, R 6.25 in H. During the Great Depression, when there was little home or institutional building, Trenton Potteries made up for the slow sanitary market by making stylish vases for florists and home décor. The Orbit Vase (L) was designed by G. McStay Jackson. Collection of the New Jersey State Museum, CH1981.48 and CH1988.26.1
Bathroom Sink, cast porcelain, Norwich model, made by Crane/Trenton Potteries Company, circa 1930, 24 in W. The sink was removed from the New Jersey State House during renovations in 2017. Collection of the New Jersey State Museum, CH2018.4.6
Presentation Chamber Pot, ironstone, made by Trenton Potteries and hand-painted at Lenox China, 1909, 8 in H with cover. Made for Edmund D. Cook, President of the Trenton Chamber of Commerce. The makers have turned a common chamber pot into a ceremonial object. The use of three handles, where there would otherwise be one, is meant to suggest a tyg, an ancient communal drinking vessel that is passed around in a group for the purposes of celebration. The painted scenes show the Cook family's industrial, financial, political and social interests in Trenton. Collection of the New Jersey State Museum, CH1980.38.68a,b
CH1980.38.68 a,bCultural HistoryChamber Pot1909Trenton Potteries CompanyIronstone chamber pot decorated with Trenton businesses
Presentation Chamber Pot, ironstone, made by Trenton Potteries and hand-painted at Lenox China, 1909, 8 in H with cover. Made for Edmund D. Cook, President of the Trenton Chamber of Commerce. The makers have turned a common chamber pot into a ceremonial object. The use of three handles, where there would otherwise be one, is meant to suggest a tyg, an ancient communal drinking vessel that is passed around in a group for the purposes of celebration. The painted scenes show the Cook family's industrial, financial, political and social interests in Trenton. Collection of the New Jersey State Museum, CH1980.38.68a,b
Presentation Chamber Pot, ironstone, made by Trenton Potteries and hand-painted at Lenox China, 1909, 8 in H with cover. Made for Edmund D. Cook, President of the Trenton Chamber of Commerce. The makers have turned a common chamber pot into a ceremonial object. The use of three handles, where there would otherwise be one, is meant to suggest a tyg, an ancient communal drinking vessel that is passed around in a group for the purposes of celebration. The painted scenes show the Cook family's industrial, financial, political and social interests in Trenton. Collection of the New Jersey State Museum, CH1980.38.68a,b
Presentation Chamber Pot, ironstone, made by Trenton Potteries and hand-painted at Lenox China, 1909, 8 in H with cover. Made for Edmund D. Cook, President of the Trenton Chamber of Commerce. The makers have turned a common chamber pot into a ceremonial object. The use of three handles, where there would otherwise be one, is meant to suggest a tyg, an ancient communal drinking vessel that is passed around in a group for the purposes of celebration. The painted scenes show the Cook family's industrial, financial, political and social interests in Trenton. Collection of the New Jersey State Museum, CH1980.38.68a,b
Presentation Chamber Pot, ironstone, made by Trenton Potteries and hand-painted at Lenox China, 1909, 8 in H with cover. Made for Edmund D. Cook, President of the Trenton Chamber of Commerce. The makers have turned a common chamber pot into a ceremonial object. The use of three handles, where there would otherwise be one, is meant to suggest a tyg, an ancient communal drinking vessel that is passed around in a group for the purposes of celebration. The painted scenes show the Cook family's industrial, financial, political and social interests in Trenton. Collection of the New Jersey State Museum, CH1980.38.68a,b
Presentation Chamber Pot, ironstone, made by Trenton Potteries and hand-painted at Lenox China, 1909, 8 in H with cover. Made for Edmund D. Cook, President of the Trenton Chamber of Commerce. The makers have turned a common chamber pot into a ceremonial object. The use of three handles, where there would otherwise be one, is meant to suggest a tyg, an ancient communal drinking vessel that is passed around in a group for the purposes of celebration. The painted scenes show the Cook family's industrial, financial, political and social interests in Trenton. Collection of the New Jersey State Museum, CH1980.38.68a,b
Presentation Chamber Pot, ironstone, made by Trenton Potteries and hand-painted at Lenox China, 1909, 8 in H with cover. Made for Edmund D. Cook, President of the Trenton Chamber of Commerce. The makers have turned a common chamber pot into a ceremonial object. The use of three handles, where there would otherwise be one, is meant to suggest a tyg, an ancient communal drinking vessel that is passed around in a group for the purposes of celebration. The painted scenes show the Cook family's industrial, financial, political and social interests in Trenton. Collection of the New Jersey State Museum, CH1980.38.68a,b
Map Gallery
Trenton Potteries Company Ideal Pottery, 1955 Sanborn Map
Trenton Potteries Company Ideal Pottery, 1955 Sanborn Map
Map References
Franklin Survey Co. 1930. Real Estate Plat‑Book of the City of Trenton and Borough of Princeton, Mercer County, New Jersey. Franklin Survey Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Plate 30: shown as “Trenton Potteries Co. Plant No. 6”)
Sanborn Map Company. 1927. Insurance Maps of the City of Trenton, Mercer County, New Jersey. Sanborn Map Company, New York, New York. (Vol. 1, plates 54 and 55: shown as “Trenton Potteries Co. Plant No. 6”)