John Davis Leopard
Churn

CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Churn
Datec. 1850–1883
Made inHenderson, Texas, United States
MediumAlkaline-glazed stoneware
Dimensions16 × 9 1/2 in. diameter (40.6 × 24.1 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of William J. Hill
Object numberB.2012.169
Current Location
The Audrey Jones Beck Building
107 Kilroy Gallery
Exposé

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
Description

John Leopard was born in 1800 in Edgefield, South Carolina, into a family well established in the area’s pottery making tradition. He lived in Alabama before coming to Rusk County, Texas, by 1850. Prior to establishing his own pottery in Henderson, he was probably employed by James Prothro. His pots are notable for their elegantly formed profiles and carefully executed rims and handles.

A butter churn was taller and narrower than a storage jar of the same capacity. This allowed for more efficient motion of the dasher (agitator) through the cream, agitating it to cause the fat particles to come together as butter.


ProvenancePossibly Dr. Georgeanna Herman Greer (1922–1992); [Jon St. Clair, Austin]; purchased by William J. Hill (1934–2018), Houston, 2004; given to MFAH, 2012.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Incised number: 4
Inscribed in black on white paint under base: TRL 2-5 [object ID, Georgeanna Greer Collection]

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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Churn
John Davis Leopard
c. 1850–1883
Alkaline-glazed stoneware
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Alkaline-glazed stoneware
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