H. Wilson & Co.
Three-Gallon Jar

MakerAmerican, c. 1869–1884
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Three-Gallon Jar
Datec. 1869–1884
Made inTexas, United States
MediumSalt-glazed stoneware
Dimensions14 × 9 in. diameter (35.6 × 22.9cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by Mr. and Mrs. Don McMillian
Object numberB.2001.14
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Texas Alcove And Hall
Exposé

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
Description

In 1869 John M. Wilson sold his interest in the Guadalupe Pottery to his partner, Marion J. Durham. This sale may have prompted the establishment of a new pottery by men formerly enslaved by John M. Wilson. Hyrum Wilson (1836–1884), James Wilson (1847–1917), Wallace Wilson (born c. 1845), Andrew Wilson (dates unknown), and George Wilson (dates unknown) founded the firm that would be known as H. Wilson and Company. Hyrum, James, and Wallace became the principals of the new enterprise, one of the first African American owned businesses in Texas, which operated until 1884. Breaking from the southern tradition of using alkaline glazes, H. Wilson and Company appears to have used only salt glazing for its wares, a technique thought to have been introduced by Ohio native Isaac Suttles.

This jar bears the impressed maker’s mark of H. Wilson and Company, along with an incised three-gallon capacity mark. It features the deeply curved “horseshoe” handles seen on some of the firm’s wares.


Provenance[Russell Barnes, Austin]; purchased by MFAH, 2001.
Exhibition History"Exhibited As We Are”: Fighting Racism with Art in the Age of Slavery,” The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Bayou Bend, April 29–August 16, 2015.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Impressed on shoulder: 3
Impressed on shoulder: H. WILSON & Co.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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