Originally published on the cover of the June 1926 issue of The Magazine Antiques (see below), as having been "probably" made in Ohio in the 1860s, this outstanding nineteenth century double-handled stoneware jug sold earlier today as part of the Bob and Nancy Skinner Collection (Skinner Auctions) at Eldred's Auction Gallery on Cape Cod in Dennis, Massachusetts. The jug is inscribed "Molasses / Govr J. Thompson / Athens," as well as being heavily inscribed around the entire surface with various objects.
The information published in 1926 states, "Given the menacing nature of the creatures depicted and the lack of a governor named J. Thompson in Ohio history, it is believed this is not a presentation jug but rather a Civil War-era commentary against Confederate Jacob Thompson (1810-1885) of Mississippi. Thompson served in Congress and then as U.S. Secretary of the Interior before resigning at the outbreak of the Civil War to serve as Inspector General of the Confederate States Army and later in the Confederacy's "Secret Service." He was widely denounced in the north as a traitor and conspirator for his involvement, or rumored involvement, in several devious plots, including the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
Thompson's home in Oxford, Mississippi was burned down by Union troops in 1864, which could be the reference for the images seen here, with Thompson the figure in the house, the creatures breathing fire to symbolize the soldiers who set the house ablaze, and the half dog-half dragon trampling a magnolia blossom, an emblem of Mississippi.We can find no official record of Thompson having run for governor, though he may have been a losing candidate during a Civil War-era election. "Gov.r." used here may have been an intentional derogatory slight or was an accidental misuse of the title by the maker.
However, current research indicates that this jug was actually made in Athens, New York, circa 1828 thanks to the research of collector and author George Lukacs, who wrote the book, Poughkeepsie Potters and the Plague; "My research indicates that this is more logically from the pottery at Athens, New York in 1828. In that year a "Smith Thompson" ran for the New York governorship and lost. The "J." Thompson could refer to a nickname like jackal. This is when Andrew Jackson was running for President and there was a battle against the Banking industry, "The Bank of the U.S." and Nicholas Biddle, with supporters depicted as jackal like creatures. It is important to note that the Athens, New York pottery owner, Nathan Clark, was running for Assembly to represent Greene County, New York in 1828 as well.
Nathan Clark actually went to the convention as a delegate to nominate Thompson for Governor and later that year Clark ran for the New York assembly to represent Greene County. There is no question that this is a satirical vessel against Thompson and possibly Clark as well. The incised workmanship could have been only done by a skilled hand. The most likely candidate with the skills to achieve this masterpiece falls on George Lent. The jug itself may have been done behind Clark's back when he was campaigning or created elsewhere like Troy, New York."
New York historian Warren Broderick also commented on this information, saying, "Thompson was a long-term jurist and the "J" may also stand for "Judge" or "Justice."
The State of Pennsylvania archaeologist Paul Nasca also added, "There has been a robust conversation about this piece since the auction first posted several weeks ago. I believe this jug is not only about NYS gubernatorial candidate, Justice Smith Thompson, but it's also a political commentary on the 1828 “Tariff of Abominations" that was signed into law by J.Q. Adams in May of that year. This tariff was concocted by opponents of Adams, led by Andrew Jackson, thinking it would never make it into law, but the plan backfired. The tariff heavily taxed imported European goods and raw materials, molasses being one of the them. This tariff hindered the southern states, but was generally praised by the north as it helped protect domestic industry. Nathen Clark's potteries at Athens and the new satellite operation at Lyons stood to benefit from the tariff. However, the northern rum producers would feel the pinch. The tariff would contribute to the political undoing of the Adams presidency in the 1828 election later that year. New York State voted heavily for Jackson. His political ally, Martin Van Buren, defeated the Adams candidate, Justice Smith Thompson for the NYS governorship. I doubt Nathan Clark himself made this jug, but likely one of his many employees at Athens."
Additionally, the jug is incised below each handle with mythical creatures that really transforms this object, whereas it demonstrates both a time in New York's political history and traditional nineteenth century American folk art. This is quite an incredible object that could be displayed at any art museum in America; in some ways, I actually compare the historical and folk art appeal of this object to the Thomas Nast (1840-1902) stoneware temperance snake jug made by the Kirkpatrick brothers in Anna, Illinois in 1871, which is displayed on the top floor of the New York Historical Society in Manhattan.
This jug also retains some history before being owned by the Skinners; prior to its publication in The Magazine Antiques, the jug was discovered in New Bedford, Massachusetts by Harry F. Allen of Norwood, Massachusetts, a collector involved with the local historical society, who sometimes also contributed his antiques collection and information for publication in the magazine. Allen's brother, Frank G. Allen (1874-1950) was an American businessman and politician, also from Massachusetts. He was president of a successful leathergoods company in Norwood, and active in local and state politics. A Republican, he served two terms as lieutenant governor, and then one as the 51st Governor of Massachusetts, serving from 1929-1931. He was a major proponent of development in Norwood, donating land and funds for a number of civic improvements. Furthermore, the Ohio attribution most likely began with Harry F. Allen, and the published information was more so based on speculation with information that seemed to make sense in the 1920s, although there was no solid proof to support what was published in terms of what was said about this jug's origin.
Nevertheless, the auction estimate was quite modest at $3,000-$5,000, although the jug sold today to New York collector Adam Weitsman for $55,000 plus the auction premium.
Note: There was also some other very good pottery in this sale (see below), which included some early New England red earthenware jugs mixed in with group lots, a nineteenth century two-color slip decorated red earthenware jar that had been made into a lamp most likely from Western New York, and a nineteenth century mottled green glazed red earthenware jug from either Western New York or Ontario, Canada. To see the rest of this sale - here is a link to the auction catalog: https://issuu.com/eldredsauction/docs/the_collection_of_bob_and_nancy_skinner.
An Important 19th Century Stoneware Jug From New York
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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