Lyman, Fenton & Co.
Toby Barrel Flask or Bottle

Public Domain

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Maker Lyman, Fenton & Co. (American, 1849–1852)American, 1849–1852

Makeror United States Pottery Company (American, 1852–1858)American, 1852–1858

CultureAmerican

Titles

Toby Barrel Flask or Bottle

Datec. 1849–1858

Made inBennington, Vermont, United States

MediumLead-glazed earthenware (flint enamel ware)

Dimensions10 3/4 × 4 1/4 × 4 in. (27.3 × 10.8 × 10.2 cm)

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Miss Ima Hogg

Object numberB.57.17

Not on view

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Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

CERAMICS

DescriptionThis brown-glazed earthenware flask is an example of “Rockingham” ware, a type of pottery widely produced in both England and the United States in the nineteenth century. The figural design of this vessel is derived from English Toby mugs, which typically depict a man atop a barrel drinking beer, now adapted to an elongated flask form. Although the Toby’s traditional beer jug has been replaced here by two smaller cups, the drinking context remains appropriate to the vessel’s function: these flasks were commemorative collectibles that encouraged the sale of their contents, usually gin. The bottom of this flask is marked Lyman Fenton & Co., one of the earliest manufacturers of Rockingham ware in the United States.
Provenance[George S. McKearin, Hoosick Falls, New York]; [Whimsy Antiques, Arlington, Vermont]; purchased by Miss Ima Hogg, 1957; given to MFAH, by 1966.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

[no inscriptions]

Impressed on bottom: Lyman Fenton & Co. / Fenton's / ENAMEL / PATENTED / 1849. / BENNINGTON,Vt. [Barret 1958, p. 14, fig. IXa]

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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