The Artistry of Salt-Glazed Stoneware
Share
share
In 19th-century America, sturdy waterproof stoneware pottery became popular for utilitarian items such as crocks, jugs, and butter churns. The rough-textured outer glaze was created when common rock salt was thrown into the kiln during firing, which vaporized and combined with melted silica from the pottery. The blue decoration--made with a cobalt oxide glaze mixture--lent variety and artistry to these otherwise plain pieces.
Stoneware Foot Warmer, 1840-1860
This foot warmer (which held hot water) 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 embellishments on this piece.
View ArtifactFour Gallon Stoneware Jug, 1850-1875
This jug 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 flower and other embellishments on this piece.
View ArtifactFour Gallon Stoneware Crock, 1878-1896
This crock 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 pecking fowl on this piece.
View ArtifactFour Gallon Stoneware Crock, 1850-1868
This jar 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 stag and landscape on this piece.
View ArtifactStoneware Water Cooler, 1825-1875
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.
View ArtifactStoneware Toy Bank, 1882
This toy bank 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' firing. Salt-glazed stoneware pieces were decorated with an amazing array of designs, including the playful birds and flowers on this piece.
View ArtifactStoneware Toy Bank, 1875
This toy bank was made of a durable, leak-proof pottery called stoneware, shaped on a revolving 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 leaves and flowers on this piece.
View ArtifactStoneware Jar, 1807
This jar was made of a durable, leak-proof pottery called stoneware. 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 array of designs, including the inscription, "LIBERTY FOREV" (probably implying "Liberty Forever"), on this piece.
View ArtifactEight Gallon Stoneware Churn, 1865-1880
This butter churn was made of a durable, leak-proof pottery called stoneware. 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 eagle and other patriotic motifs molded separately and applied to this piece.
View ArtifactFour Gallon Stoneware Jug, 1865-1870
This jug 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 patriotic motifs on this piece.
View ArtifactSix Gallon Stoneware Crock, 1870-1890
This crock 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 patriotic motifs on this piece.
View ArtifactSix Gallon Stoneware Churn, 1865-1885
This butter churn 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 patriotic motifs on this piece.
View ArtifactThree Gallon Stoneware Jug, 1850-1868
This jug 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 unusual ode to rum found on this piece.
View ArtifactLewis & Cady "Our Next President" Presidential Election Crock, circa 1860
This crock was made of a durable, leak-proof pottery called stoneware. 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 array of designs, including this caricatured image of Democratic candidate Stephen Douglas from the 1860 Presidential campaign.
View ArtifactStoneware Crock, 1855-1880
This crock 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 human figure and trees on this piece.
View ArtifactEight Gallon Stoneware Churn, 1850-1875
This butter churn 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 unusual acrobat and horse on this piece.
View Artifact
