Cranston Pottery
Six-Gallon Churn

MakerAmerican, active c. 1854–1890
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Six-Gallon Churn
Datec. 1854–1890
Made inTexas, United States
MediumSalt-glazed stoneware with cobalt
Dimensions18 1/2 × 9 7/8 in. diameter (47 × 25.1 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of William J. Hill
Object numberB.2012.109
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Texas Alcove And Hall
On view

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Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
Description

Irish-born potter John Cranston came to Denton County, Texas, from Missouri, purchasing land for his pottery there in 1854. Cranston died in 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.

James Roark was Cranston’s son-in-law. After working for his in-laws, he established his own shop not long after John Cranston’s death. Like Cranston, he sometimes used cobalt slip to decorate his pots. His products can be difficult to distinguish from Cranston’s.

This churn features a large six-gallon capacity mark in cobalt slip above a large, elaborate and boldly drawn calligraphic flourish.


Provenance[Jon St. Clair, Austin]; purchased by William J. Hill (1934–2018), Houston, 2001; given to MFAH, 2012.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Applied cobalt capacity mark on body: 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.

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