Six-Gallon Jar
Maker
Cranston Pottery(American, active c. 1854–1890)American, active c. 1854–1890
CultureAmerican
Titles
- Six-Gallon Jar
Datec. 1854–1890
Made inAlton (former town), Texas, United States
MediumSalt-glazed stoneware with slip interior
Dimensions16 5/8 × 12 3/8 in. diameter (42.2 × 31.4 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by William J. Hill
Object numberB.2014.14
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Ceramics Study Room
Exposé
Explore Further
Department
Bayou BendObject Type
Irish-born potter John Cranston came to Denton County, Texas, from Missouri, purchasing land for his pottery there in 1854. Cranston died about 1867, and his widow, Nancy Cranston, continued the firm’s operation. Some of Cranston’s pots feature cobalt slip decoration, common on wares from Northeastern and Midwestern potteries, but rare in Texas.
This jar features a boldly curving ovoid form and a finely articulated rim, along with an impressed maker’s mark and a six-gallon capacity mark.
Provenance[Charles Morin, Vintage Texas Gallery, San Antonio]; purchased by MFAH, 2014.
Published References David C. Crass, Melissa M. Green, and Susan A. Lebo, "Nineteenth Century Stoneware Industry in North Central Texas: Preliminary Test Excavations at the Roark Pottery, Denton County, Texas" in The Record vol. 4, no. 2 (1988), pp. 134–53. Also see attachment in Report of a Curatorial Purchase, listing source materials from the William J. Hill Artisans and Artists Archive, including in-depth genealogical research on John Cranston and George H. Cranston by Leslie Bucher. Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Stamped center front: CRANSTON \ 6
Cataloguing data may change with further research.
If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.
Il n'y a pas d'oeuvres à découvrir pour cet enregistrement.