Pitcher
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
William Johnson
MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1795-1810
MediumWheel-thrown cream-colored earthenware with underglaze black decoration
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth): 9 x 8 1/2 x 4 3/4in. (22.9 x 21.6 x 12.1cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineBequest of Mrs. Mary E. Duvall
DescriptionBarrel-shaped pitcher of cream-colored earthenware, a type of ceramic known as creamware. This is known as a "Liverpool pitcher" because many creamware pitchers of this shape with black printed designs were known to have been made and exported to America from Liverpool, England. The pitcher has a flat base, swelled sides, and a narrower rim, with a spout opposite a pulled and applied handle. There are three groups of transfer-printed underglaze black designs, one on each side, and another underneath the handle. An area with Masonic symbols is printed to the left of the handle. Two corinthian columns support an arch that bears the words "Cemented with Love". An eye, sun, moon, angels, and a triangle are printed in the space below the arch. Many additional Masonic symbols are printed in the space around the arch, including a ladder, Noah's ark, a bridge, classical buildings, drafting equipment, a left hand, and a key, among others. An elaborate design to the right of the handle also relates to the Masonic orders. A sun and moon look down over an eye that stares at the viewer. The eye is at the top of a wreath, composed of various plants, with a "G" inside a star at the bottom. There is a square and compass to the lower left and a ladder and mason's tools to the lower right of the wreath. The following phrases are written inside the wreath "The World is in Pain/ Our Secrets to gain/ But still let them wonder & gaze on/ For they ne'er can divine/ The WORD nor the SIGN/ Of a Free & an Accepted Mason." The final design, beneath the spout, shows a triangle with lines emanating from the triangle in the shape of a five-pointed star. The triangle is surrounded by a few masonic tools and symbols. The initials "T" and "H" are inside the triangle.
The pitcher has three old chips on the foot, which have darkened with time. There are two areas of loss on the spout, which were placed inside a sealed envelope, now in the object file. The sealed envelope is inscribed, "Pieces of broken spout/ from Masonic Liverpool pitcher/ Broken by glass shelf August 19, 1971". There are light scratches on the exterior of the pitcher.
The pitcher has three old chips on the foot, which have darkened with time. There are two areas of loss on the spout, which were placed inside a sealed envelope, now in the object file. The sealed envelope is inscribed, "Pieces of broken spout/ from Masonic Liverpool pitcher/ Broken by glass shelf August 19, 1971". There are light scratches on the exterior of the pitcher.
Object number1917.10.0a-c
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