H. Wilson & Co.
Seven-Gallon Jar

MakerAmerican, c. 1869–1884
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Seven-Gallon Jar
Datec. 1869–1884
Made inTexas, United States
MediumSalt-glazed stoneware
Dimensions18 3/4 × 11 in. diameter (47.6 × 27.9cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by the African American Art Advisory Association
Object numberB.2001.11
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Kilroy Center
On view

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Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
Description

In 1869 John M. Wilson sold his interest in the Guadalupe Pottery to his partner, Marion J. Durham. This sale may have prompted the establishment of a new pottery by men formerly enslaved by John M. Wilson. Hyrum Wilson (1836–1884), James Wilson (1847–1917), Wallace Wilson (born c. 1845), Andrew Wilson (dates unknown), and George Wilson (dates unknown) founded the firm that would be known as H. Wilson and Company. Hyrum, James, and Wallace became the principals of the new enterprise, one of the first African American owned businesses in Texas, which operated until 1884. Breaking from the southern tradition of using alkaline glazes, H. Wilson and Company appears to have used only salt glazing for its wares, a technique thought to have been introduced by Ohio native Isaac Suttles.

This jar bears the impressed maker’s mark of H. Wilson and Company along with a seven-gallon capacity mark.


Provenance[Russell Barnes, Austin]; purchased by MFAH, 2001.
Exhibition History"African-American Advisory Association (Five-A)" at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, March 2–April 7, 2003.

"African-American Art in the Collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston", The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, February 22–May 9, 2004.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Impressed on shoulder: 7
Impressed on shoulder: H. WILSON & Co.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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Five-Gallon Jar
H. Wilson & Co.
c. 1869–1884
Salt-glazed stoneware
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Six-Gallon Jar
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Five-Gallon Jar
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Two-Gallon Jug
H. Wilson & Co.
c. 1869–1884
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Five-Gallon Churn
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c. 1869–1884
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Three-Gallon Churn
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Jar with Lid
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H. Wilson & Co.
c. 1869–1884
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Jar with Lid
H. Wilson & Co.
c. 1869–1884
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B.2012.63.A,.B