Washbowl and Pitcher
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Abby Hadassah Smith
(American, 1797 - 1878)
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Julia Evelina Smith
(American, 1792 - 1886)
MakerPossibly made by
Staffordshire potteries
(English, 17th century-present)
Dateabout 1830-1840
MediumMechanically-molded buff-colored earthenware with a blue-tinted glaze and underglaze cobalt blue decoration
DimensionsComponent (height x width x depth of pitcher): 7 3/4 x 8 1/2 x 6in. (19.7 x 21.6 x 15.2cm)
Component (height x diameter of washbowl): 4 7/8 x 11 1/2in. (12.4 x 29.2cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineGift of Gertrude E. Mitchell
Object number1940.3.1a,b
DescriptionRound, buff-colored earthenware washbowl (.a) and pitcher (.b) with a blue-tinted glaze, a type of ceramic known as pearlware. Both the washbowl and pitcher have an underglaze cobalt blue transfer-printed floral pattern and border that is loosely influenced by the Chinese taste.
Washbowl (.a): The round washbowl is decorated on both the inside and outside, and has a tall foot and flared rim. The decoration on the bottom of the washbowl consists of a basket of flowers and plants that exuberantly overflow the sides of the basket and nearly fill the circular pattern. The pattern is surrounded by a series of borders and patterns. The first border appears to be a series of small flowers, or bulbs, that point inward toward the pattern. The second border consists of densly printed lines of varying widths that create a lattice pattern. This is interrupted periodically by areas of white, with three flowers inside or a darker blue abstract geometric pattern. These two borders are surrounded by an area of white heading up the walls of the washbowl. The white area is decorated with three overflowing baskets of flowers. Finally, there are two additional borders that circle the inside rim of the washbowl. The first is a series of three printed floral arrangements, two of which consist of wildly arranged flowers grouped together. The third arrangement appears to be small flowers growing on tree branches. A second border, found at the edge of the rim, consists of a loosely grouped series of crossed lines that create a basket-weave effect. This same border is repeated below the flared rim. The outside of the washbowl is decorated with four baskets with flowers, the same pattern found on the inside sides of the washbowl, and the same scenes of flowers and trees printed at the inside of the rim. There are two cracks on the washbowl. One is a hairline crack that begins at the rim and runs down the side about three inches. The second crack begins at the rim, runs down the side, and twists to continue parallel to the foot of the washbowl. There is light crazing over all the surfaces of the wash bowl.
Pitcher (.b): The pitcher has transfer-printed designs of baskets and flowers that reflect the same patterns and borders used in the washbowl, although of a different proportion. The circular body of the pitcher is decorated with a basket of flowers and plants that exuberantly overflow the sides of the basket and circle around the pitcher. Above this, the pitcher narrows slightly, then forms a tall spout. Both the inside and outside of the spout are decorated with the same two floral arrangements that circle the inside of the washbowl. There are wildly arranged flowers grouped together on the inside of the spout, and smaller flowers growing on tree branches on the outside of the spout. A border at both the inside and outside edge of the rim consists of a loosely grouped series of crossed lines that create a basket-weave effect. Opposite the spout, a molded handle is decorated with additional floral arrangements. There are several small chips in the foot of the pitcher.
NotesHistorical Note: Abby Hadassah Smith (1797-1878) and her sister Julia Smith (1792-1886) of Glastonbury, Connecticut, were strong proponents of women's suffrage. Abby and Julia Smith took an interest in women's suffrage in about 1869, after having to pay the same highway tax twice. They began attending suffrage meetings in Hartford, and in October 1873, Abby Smith, then age 76, attended the Woman's Congress in New York. The following month, she spoke at the Glastonbury town meeting against taxing women, who were not yet allowed to vote. From 1873 until her death in 1878, Abby Smith refused to pay taxes without a vote in the town meeting, and her sister Julia joined in this resistance. A tract of the sisters' land was disposed of at public auction to pay their taxes, and their cows were repeatedly sold to pay delinquent taxes. Abby and Julia Smith supported the women's suffrage movement by writing letters to the press, speaking at local meetings and suffrage conventions, and annually petitioning the Connecticut legislature for a woman's right to vote. In January 1878, the sisters attended a hearing on the equal suffrage amendment before a committee of the United States Senate, where Julia Smith spoke. The Smith sisters and their cows became known throughout the United States and abroad and added impetus to the movement to allow women the right to vote. (Hudson 11/4/2004)Washbowl (.a): The round washbowl is decorated on both the inside and outside, and has a tall foot and flared rim. The decoration on the bottom of the washbowl consists of a basket of flowers and plants that exuberantly overflow the sides of the basket and nearly fill the circular pattern. The pattern is surrounded by a series of borders and patterns. The first border appears to be a series of small flowers, or bulbs, that point inward toward the pattern. The second border consists of densly printed lines of varying widths that create a lattice pattern. This is interrupted periodically by areas of white, with three flowers inside or a darker blue abstract geometric pattern. These two borders are surrounded by an area of white heading up the walls of the washbowl. The white area is decorated with three overflowing baskets of flowers. Finally, there are two additional borders that circle the inside rim of the washbowl. The first is a series of three printed floral arrangements, two of which consist of wildly arranged flowers grouped together. The third arrangement appears to be small flowers growing on tree branches. A second border, found at the edge of the rim, consists of a loosely grouped series of crossed lines that create a basket-weave effect. This same border is repeated below the flared rim. The outside of the washbowl is decorated with four baskets with flowers, the same pattern found on the inside sides of the washbowl, and the same scenes of flowers and trees printed at the inside of the rim. There are two cracks on the washbowl. One is a hairline crack that begins at the rim and runs down the side about three inches. The second crack begins at the rim, runs down the side, and twists to continue parallel to the foot of the washbowl. There is light crazing over all the surfaces of the wash bowl.
Pitcher (.b): The pitcher has transfer-printed designs of baskets and flowers that reflect the same patterns and borders used in the washbowl, although of a different proportion. The circular body of the pitcher is decorated with a basket of flowers and plants that exuberantly overflow the sides of the basket and circle around the pitcher. Above this, the pitcher narrows slightly, then forms a tall spout. Both the inside and outside of the spout are decorated with the same two floral arrangements that circle the inside of the washbowl. There are wildly arranged flowers grouped together on the inside of the spout, and smaller flowers growing on tree branches on the outside of the spout. A border at both the inside and outside edge of the rim consists of a loosely grouped series of crossed lines that create a basket-weave effect. Opposite the spout, a molded handle is decorated with additional floral arrangements. There are several small chips in the foot of the pitcher.
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