Milligan Frazier
Jar

MakerAmerican, c. 1848–after 1910, active c. 1885–1910
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Jar
Datec. 1885–1910
Made inMims Chapel, Texas, United States
MediumAlkaline-glazed stoneware
Dimensions14 1/4 × 11 1/2 in. diameter (36.2 × 29.2 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of William J. Hill
Object numberB.2012.85
Current Location
The Audrey Jones Beck Building
107 Kilroy Gallery
On view

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
Description

Originally from Louisiana, Milligan Frazier made pottery on demand in Mims Chapel, Texas, in addition to working as a farmhand. Wares attributed to Frazier have a dark, streaky glaze, the result of a mixture that included ground glass and sand. Frazier was enslaved by iron furnace and pottery owner Jefferson S. Nash for a short period of time near the end of the Civil War and may have continued to work for Nash after emancipation. It is not known how long Nash’s pottery was in operation or if Frazier made pottery for him; he may have worked at Nash’s iron foundry and furnace, or in some other capacity. 

This large jar provides ample space to display the dramatic glaze patterns characteristic of Frazier’s work. The rim of this jar became deformed sometime after it came off the potter’s wheel. The use of incised slash marks such as those on the shoulder of this jar was widespread, but their purpose or meaning is not well understood.


Provenance[Jon St. Clair, Austin]; purchased by William J. Hill (1934–2018), Houston, 2004; given to MFAH, 2012.
Exhibition History"Wilson Potters," Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, January 8–April 25, 2010.

"Made in Texas: Art, Life and Culture: 1845–1900," Beeville Art Museum, Texas, September 20, 2014–January 10, 2015.

"The Dave Project," Milwaukee Art Museum, November 1, 2015–November 1, 2019.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
none visible
Incised marks "4" and "II" (or "11") on shoulder midway between handles

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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