H. Wilson & Co.
Jar

Public Domain

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Maker H. Wilson & Co.American, c. 1869–1884

CultureAmerican

Titles

Datec. 1869–1884

Made inTexas, United States

MediumSalt-glazed stoneware with slip interior

Dimensions16 3/4 × 12 1/4 in. diameter (42.5 × 31.1 cm)

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of William J. Hill

Object numberB.2012.67

Not on view

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Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

CERAMICS

DescriptionIn 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 & 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 & Company appears to have used only salt glazing for its wares, a technique thought to have been introduced by Ohio native Isaac Suttles.
Provenance[Jon St. Clair, Austin]; purchased by William J. Hill (1934–2018), Houston, date unknown; given to MFAH, 2012.
Exhibition History"A Texas Legacy: Selections from the William J. Hill Collection," Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, October 2, 2016–January 2, 2017.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

Impressed below the neck: H. WILSON & Co. [twice]
Impressed below the neck: 5

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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