Cranston Pottery
Six-Gallon Jar

MakerAmerican, 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
On view

Explore Further

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 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.
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.

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