"The Baseball Vase" Owned by the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton, New Jersey

Last summer, I posted a story showing some of the nineteenth century ceramic objects on display at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, depicting baseball players of various ages and scenes. Although, I was surprised to recently see a monumental porcelain object made with a baseball theme that likely predates all of the objects owned by the Baseball Hall of Fame.

When traveling to Philadelphia last week, I stopped at the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton, New Jersey in order to see some of the museum's locally made pottery on display. But I had no idea that I would see this remarkable nineteenth century porcelain sculpture, known as "The Baseball Vase," made by Isaac Broome (1835-1922) in Trenton in 1876, who is regarded to be one of the premier pottery and tile designers from the American pottery industry of the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century.

According to the museum, "In 1873, the Trenton pottery firm Ott & Brewer hired Broome to create display pieces for the 1876 Centennial International Exposition in Philadelphia. Broome's monumental baseball vase captures the essence and spirit of a great American pastime still in its infancy.

The monumental vase is made of parian, an unglazed porcelain named for the marble that it resembles. It is considered to be a masterpiece of American ceramic art. 

When Broome crafted the baseball vase, he probably knew little about the sport's strong historical connection to the state of New Jersey. On June 19, 1846, the first officially-recorded game of baseball as we know it today took place at the Elysian Fields in Hoboken. New Jersey is where modern baseball was born."

Interestingly, I also learned through the Potteries of Trenton, New Jersey Society that Broome actually produced two of these vases, and the other is owned by the Detroit Historical Society in Michigan. "The model Broome used for the figures was Al Van Horn, catcher for Trenton's baseball team. 

After the exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876, one of the vases became part of John Hart Brewer's personal collection and remained there until it was donated to the New Jersey State Museum. The other vase was presented by Brewer to the National Baseball League in 1887. The Detroit Wolverines won the championship that fall and were awarded the vase as their trophy. It has remained in Detroit ever since."

"The Baseball Vase" - Trenton, NJ

"The Baseball Vase"

Made by Isaac Broome in Trenton, NJ for the Firm Ott & Brewer

Circa 1873-1876

Stands at a Monumental Height

One of Two Baseball Vases Manufactured by Brewer

The Other is Owned by the Detroit Historical Society

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: New Jersey State Museum

Information Displayed with the Vase

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Photo Courtesy: New Jersey State Museum

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