A Pair of 19th Century Southern Stoneware Face Jugs Made in South Carolina Coming to Auction this Fall

It's no surprise that more important nineteenth-century South Carolina-made stoneware face jugs have surfaced from private American collections in recent days - and weeks - especially, after seeing that the last example sold (last month) for a record-setting $80,000 at the podium - and, $92,000, overall, at checkout at Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland. That small example stood only five-inches tall, but it was regarded as having been a very-rare small jug with wonderful characteristics that was manufactured in the Edgefield District of South Carolina, possibly by an African-American slave, in the 1860's.

Personally, I had expected that jug to do well; however, I was surprised when it almost reached the $100,000 mark after premiums. A major factor in the huge interest in these South Carolina-made face jugs is undoubtedly a result of the recent scholarship and archaeology given to these important objects that has been highlighted in recent years in Ceramics in America.

I am rather fascinated by one of the upcoming face jug styles seeing that it is in the form of a harvest jug, which would have typically been used by workers in fields. The jug would have normally been filled with water and then drank from when working in the hot farmland. Could this harvest jug have been used by African-American slaves for a such a purpose? I don't know for sure, but it is certainly a fascinating idea.

19th Century Alkaline-Glazed Stoneware Face Jug - Edgefield District, SC

Circa 1860's

Stands 5" Tall

Sold for $92,000 (Including Premiums) on July 18, 2015 at Crocker Farm in Sparks, MD

Photo Courtesy: Dr. Corbett Toussaint

In recent weeks, Crocker Farm has publicly announced that two more prominent examples of stoneware face jugs (including the harvest jug previously mentioned) made in the Edgefield District of South Carolina in the 1860's will be included in the company's forthcoming October 17th sale. It is unclear whether these jugs were actually related to African-American slaves in this region or not; although, it is believed (known) that some of the face jugs made in the Edgefield District, were indeed, made by slave potters.

The first jug is described as a "fine alkaline glazed stoneware face jug produced in the Edgefield area of South Carolina in the 1860's. This recently-discovered example comes from a consignor in New York State - the jug includes a well-formed nose and it is potted in an unusual larger size."

19th Century Alkaline-Glazed Stoneware Face Jug - Edgefield District, SC

Circa 1860's

Stands 7 5/8" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD

View of One Side

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD

View of the Handle

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD

The second jug was recently announced via Crocker Farm's Facebook page, which the auction house describes as an "outstanding southern ceramics discovery. Furthermore, this very rare and important alkaline-glazed stoneware face harvest jug was made in the Edgefield District of South Carolina in the 1860's. It stands 9 3/8" tall. Arguably, it is the finest face jug to come to auction in years."

19th Century Alkaline-Glazed Stoneware Face Harvest Jug - Edgefield District, SC

Circa 1860's

Stands 9 3/8" Tall

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD

As always - it will be interesting to see what these rare and equally important objects achieve in Maryland this fall. Will the previous record that was set in July hold strong - or, will either of these objects (or both) achieve a price that exceeds the impressive mark from July? I will write follow up reports for each of these objects after they sell in a few months.

Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...