Butter Churn
MakerMade by
Stedman & Seymour
(American)
Original OwnerOriginally owned by the
Buell family
(American)
Dateabout 1835
MediumWheel-thrown stoneware with a salt glaze, brown slip glaze, and cobalt blue decoration
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width including handles x depth): 8 1/4 x 18 1/8 x 7 1/4in. (21 x 46 x 18.4cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number1981.42.17
DescriptionTapered, grey, four gallon stoneware butter churn with a salt glaze on the exterior and a brown slip glaze, or Albany-type slip glaze, on the interior. The churn has a flat bottom and sides that taper gently to the neck and then flare slightly at the rim. Two raised lines circle the neck of the churn. Two pulled lug handles are pressed against the churn along their full length, attaching to the churn at the shoulder and over the two raised lines. On one side of the churn, between the two handles and just below the raised lines, are a capacity indicator and a mark. The number "4" is incised by hand into the surface of the stoneware. Below this is the stamped, impressed mark, "STEDMAN/ &/ SEYMOUR/ NEW.HAVEN". The number, mark, and ends of the handles are hand-painted with cobalt blue. There are some slight imperfections in the surface of the stoneware, including a light brown color over much of the churn. There are several cracks in the body of the stoneware, including three older cracks at the lower sides and foot, one long crack below the handle to the left of the mark, and two significant, active cracks on the rim and side opposite the mark.
Status
Not on view
