Stoneware Water Cooler, 1825-1875

01

Artifact Overview

This water cooler was made of a durable, leak-proof pottery called stoneware, shaped on a potter's wheel. The orange-peel-like outer glaze was created when the potter threw handfuls of common rock salt into a white-hot kiln during the piece's firing. Salt-glazed stoneware pieces were decorated with an amazing array of designs, including the bird and hearts on this piece.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Water cooler

Date Made

1825-1875

Creators

Place of Creation

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

00.6.34

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Ceramic (Material)
Salt glaze

Technique

Glazing (Coating)

Color

Cobalt blue (Color)
Gray (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 17 in
Diameter: 12 in

Inscriptions

pressed at top of front: THIS. IS. A. PRESENT. FROM. A. POTTER. / TURN. THE. COCK. AND. OUT. COMES. WATTER.[sic] / C. STEVENS. pressed in middle of front: J W