Two Nineteenth Century Southern Alkaline Glazed Stoneware Face Jugs

After I posted an article last night about a nineteenth century "voodoo" face jug reportedly attributed to the Knox Hill Pottery on the Florida panhandle, I learned more about this business from Georgia collector, David Parker. The Knox Hill Pottery was established by M.M. Odom and Robert Turnlee, where Turnlee provided the money and land, while Odom was the potter, but the operation only lasted a little over one year, circa 1859-60.

David Parker told me about the research of Leslie Bucher, who has identified Thomas Bennett Odom (ca. 1834-99) as another potter employed at the Knox Hill Pottery, based on marked sherds bearing his name recovered at the site of the pottery. There are also some known jars to exist today stamped "T.B. Odom." Unfortunately, there is no known evidence to identity M.M. Odom, but he is perhaps related.

According to Leslie Bucher's research: Thomas Bennett Odom was born in Coweta, Georgia in 1834, located about forty miles southwest of Atlanta. Before arriving in Florida in the late 1850s, census records indicate he was living in Mississippi and Alabama. He may have been an Alabama trained potter, or at the very least possibly influenced by the state's idustry. After the Knox Hill Pottery closed, he eventually moved to Upshur County, Texas.

Last night I posted a picture of a nineteenth century green alkaline glazed stoneware "voodoo" face jug that was reportedly attributed to M.M. Odom and Robert Turnlee's Knox Hill Pottery. Although, the current whereabouts of this jug is unknown to me, but its manufacture is similar to a green alkaline glazed stoneware southern face jug that sold at Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland in October 2017. The jug is attributed to Alabama, circa 1850-75, and described by Crocker Farm as "one of the earliest Alabama face vessels known. Its form, glaze and handle terminal construction connect it to the state's Randolph County school, one which was strongly influenced by an influx of Edgefield, South Carolina-trained potters during the 1830s."

Comparable Southern Stoneware Face Jugs

 19th Century Green Alkaline Glazed Stoneware Face Jug

Attributed to Alabama, Possibly Randolph County

Circa 1850-75

Stands 12 3/8" Tall

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Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm Auction of American Redware and Stoneware

Another View of the Face Jug

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Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm Auction of American Redware and Stoneware

19th Century Stoneware "Voodoo" Face Jug

Reportedly Attributed to M.M. Odom and Turnlee at the Knox Hill Pottery in Florida

Reportedly Circa 1859-60

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