An Important Painted Red Earthenware Jug Owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City

While visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City last week, I saw a wonderful small painted red earthenware jug, which had been stamped in ink on the base with the company's mark. This jug was manufactured in an ancient style, where Charles A. Lawrence was reportedly the first American potter to partake in this type of revival production at his company in Beverly, Massachusetts in the early 1870s.

According to a book published by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is also currently sold in the museum's bookstore, 'In Pursuit of Beauty: Americans and the Aesthetic Movement,' "Facsimiles of Greek terra-cotta vessels were some of the earliest artistic ceramics produced in America. The first known reference to an 'artware line' appeared in 1872, when the 'Beverly Pottery at the request of Boston ladies began to copy beautiful forms of ancient vases to order.' Charles A. Lawrence, the superintendent of that Massachusetts factory, intentionally limited his production of imitation Greek pottery, for he feared that if it became common it would depreciate in value. He therefore sold it only in small lots to his 'artistic' friends for their own private collections."

It did not take long to really understand why this object is owned by the MET today once I spent the afternoon taking in the sights at this incredible museum.

The museum owns a remarkable collection of ancient Grecian pottery, wheres, this Beverly jug seems to be specifically important to the museum's focus of both ancient Old World pottery and the aesthetic value of American utilitarian stoneware, red earthenware, art pottery and studio pottery.

It was my interpretation that this little jug really bridges the gap with the museum's focus in pottery, where it connects the ancient objects to the later pieces and their aesthetic values.

Understandably, this is a later object, which was made circa 1872, but it certainly does draw inspiration from the huge collection of Grecian pottery that the MET has on display today.

Note: Here is a link to the C.A. Lawrence Pottery jug listed on the Metropolitan Museum of Art's website.

C.A. Lawrence Pottery Ancient Style Jug

19th Century Ancient-Style Painted Red Earthenware Jug

Made at the Charles A. Lawrence Pottery in Beverly, Mass.

The Base Has Been Stamped in Ink with the Company's Name

Circa 1872

Stands 4 7/8" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Metropolitan Museum of Art - New York City

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