De Drie Klokken (The Three Bells)
Tobacco Jar

CultureDutch
Titles
  • Tobacco Jar
Datec. 1784–1841
Made inDelft, Netherlands
MediumTin-glazed earthenware (delftware) and brass
DimensionsWith lid: 13 3/4 in. height (34.9 cm)
Without lid: 10 in. height (25.4 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Miss Ima Hogg
Object numberB.54.2.3.A,.B
Current Location
The Audrey Jones Beck Building
106 Cameron Gallery
On view

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
Description

Long known to Native Americans, tobacco use quickly spread to Europe in the wake of colonization. Tobacco became the most important crop in early Virginia, the foundation of the colony’s economy. Notoriously labor intensive, tobacco cultivation initially brought many indentured servants to Virginia, but enslaved laborers were soon the main workforce. Tobacco often accompanied romanticized images of Native Americans, as on this Dutch jar probably made for retail display. The label beneath the image indicates the type or grade of tobacco.

This jar, one of a set of three, is marked by De Drie Klokken (The Three Bells). Barbara Cornelisdochter Rotteveel founded this pottery in 1671, which was one of a few potteries with the longest existence in the town of Delft. A succession of several owners operated the pottery over the ensuing decades, and it was eventually auctioned off in 1784 after which it was run by a partnership. The partners expanded the company, constructing several new buildings. In 1841, the operations were transferred to De Porceleyne Clauw pottery, and the site and belongings of the former pottery De Drie Klokken were sold to the Dutch government.


Provenance[John Kenneth Byrad, Norwalk, Connecticut]; purchased by Miss Ima Hogg, June 12, 1954; given to MFAH, by 1966.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Inscribed on front: ST. DOMINGO
Painted in underglaze blue with three bells on bottom

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Tobacco Jar
De Drie Klokken (The Three Bells)
c. 1784–1841
Tin-glazed earthenware (delftware) and brass
B.54.2.2.A,.B
Tobacco Jar
De Drie Klokken (The Three Bells)
c. 1784–1841
Tin-glazed earthenware (delftware) and brass
B.54.2.1.A,.B
Tobacco Jar
c. 1800
Tin-glazed earthenware (delftware) and brass
B.69.71.A,.B
Plate
De Paauw
1698
Tin-glazed earthenware (delftware)
B.59.88
Ointment Pot
c. 1700–1750
Tin-glazed earthenware (delftware)
B.59.134
scan from file photograph
c. 1780–1800
Tin-glazed earthenware (delftware)
B.59.99
Dinner Plate
c. 1740–1750
Tin-glazed earthenware (delftware)
B.56.65
Dinner Plate
c. 1740
Tin-glazed earthenware (delftware)
B.56.41.1
scan of file photograph
c. 1750–1760
Tin-glazed earthenware (delftware)
B.55.25
Dinner Plate (one of a pair)
c. 1770
Tin-glazed earthenware (delftware)
B.56.88.1
Dinner Plate (one of a pair)
c. 1770
Tin-glazed earthenware (delftware)
B.56.88.2
Punch Bowl
c. 1770
Tin-glazed earthenware (delftware)
B.56.89