A Late 18th Century Red Earthenware Jar Adorned with Figures of St. Ambrose that is Owned Privately in New York City

A potter named Jacob Bock (1789-1867), who was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in 1789, however he later migrated to Waterloo, Ontario, Canada to eventually work as a potter (among other job titles), made some red earthenware tobacco jars there with lids surrounded with images of Saint Ambrose (ca. 340-397 AD) in the 1820s. There is an example of this type of production in the collection of the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, as well as various private collections.

Interestingly, this red earthenware jar looks just like the examples made by Bock in Canada with a different lid, although it is from an earlier period, whereas it is privately owned in New York City today. Furthermore, the base of this jar is inscribed “D.B.R. 1793.” There is also more information inscribed in the center of the base. This style of the inscription is completely different than what Bock is known for with inscribed objects in Ontario that survive today from the 1820s.

Nevertheless, images of Aurelius Ambrosius are found on a variety of decorative displays at major art museums around the world today, such as pottery, paintings and stained glass. Saint Ambrose was born in one of Germany’s oldest cities, Trier, and his father was an important Roman soldier. He is considered to be one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the 4th century, and was the Roman governor of Liguria and Emilia, based in Milan, before being made Bishop of Milan by popular acclamation in 374 AD, even though he was not even a priest.

For many years, Ambrose defended the faith of the Church, writing hymns and influencing other Christian songwriters. After Ambrose’s death on April 4, 397 AD and because of his love of Christianity, the Church declared Saint Ambrose a Doctor of the Church, and his life has been celebrated ever since. However, these type of jars are to my knowledge, the only examples of seventeenth, eighteenth or nineteenth century utilitarian pottery made in America or Canada which honor the life of Aurelius Ambrosius. In fact, they more than likely represent Bock’s (and perhaps another potter’s?) faith and his commitment to his church.

Thoughts?

Red Earthenware Jar Adorned with Figures of St. Ambrose

Late 18th Century Red Earthenware Jar

Adorned with Figures of Saint Ambrose (ca. 340-397 AD)

Very Similar to Jars Made by Jacob Bock in Ontario in the 1820s

The Base is Inscribed with Dots “D.B.R. 1793”

More Information is Inscribed in the Center of the Base

The Way Bock Inscribed Inscriptions is Different than this Technique 

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

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