Good day, collectors! Today, we have a wonderfully unassuming piece of American history: an American Period Salt-Glazed Stoneware Jar. This humble vessel, with its robust cylindrical form and simple rolled rim, speaks volumes about daily life in 19th-century America.
Crafted between approximately 1840 and 1880, this jar hails from a time when utilitarian pottery was indispensable for preserving and storing food. Its significance lies not in elaborate decoration, but in its honest, functional design, embodying the spirit of American folk art.
Made from durable stoneware, it features a distinctive salt glaze, recognizable by its slightly pitted, 'orange peel' texture and mottled grey-brown coloration. The subtle horizontal lines visible on its surface are the tell-tale marks of a hand-thrown piece, shaped by a potter's wheel, a testament to traditional craftsmanship.
Looking closely, we see the honest wear and minor surface imperfections that come from decades of practical use. The discoloration at the base and slight scuffs are not flaws, but rather a rich patina that enhances its authenticity, telling a story of a life well-lived in a bustling kitchen.
Based on these characteristics, I'm confident in its authenticity as a period piece. For auction, I'd estimate this American Period Salt-Glazed Stoneware Jar to fetch between $75 and $175. A true survivor, ready for its next chapter!
Used for this report's TTS and avatar presentation.
Item Report
American Period Salt-Glazed Stoneware Jar
By:Unknown
Style:American Folk Art Pottery / Utilitarian Stoneware
Origin:United States
Materials:Salt-glazed stoneware
Age:Circa 1840-1880
Condition:Good (consistent with age and use, minor surface wear and discoloration, no major chips or cracks visible)
A utilitarian cylindrical stoneware jar, hand-thrown with a slightly everted rim, finished with a characteristic salt glaze in mottled grey-brown tones. The surface exhibits subtle throwing lines and minor imperfections inherent to its production, reflecting its humble, functional origins.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
This is a genuine example of 19th-century American utilitarian stoneware. Its simple form, robust construction, and characteristic salt glaze are consistent with pottery produced for everyday household use during the period. The visible wear and firing imperfections add to its historical charm and authenticity.
Individual Images:
whole stoneware jar
Provenance:
None provided
Condition:
Good (consistent with age and use, minor surface wear and discoloration, no major chips or cracks visible)
Identification Score: 95%
The form, mottled grey-brown color, and 'orange peel' texture are highly characteristic of American salt-glazed stoneware from the mid-19th century. The visible throwing lines confirm it as a hand-thrown piece.
Authenticity Score: 90%
The glaze characteristics, subtle irregularities in form, and overall patina are consistent with period production. There are no signs of modern manufacturing or artificial aging. The wear patterns appear natural for an item of this age and function.
Image Memory Note
None
None
Keywords
American, Stoneware, Salt-Glazed, Jar, Crock, Utilitarian, Folk Art, 19th Century, Pottery, United States
The report was edited after initial Artmink draft. Original AI draft preserved in Artmink audit history.
Share: