Dog Pitcher c. 1938

Ernest A. Towers, Jr. created this watercolor called ‘Dog Pitcher’ to document an item made at the Trenton Potteries Company during a time when the US was experiencing rapid industrialization and urbanization. Notice how the dog pitcher is sitting, waiting, watching, and is collared—perhaps representative of the Victorian era’s attitude toward pets as property. The piece reflects the cultural values of the time such as domesticity and sentimentality. Its dark brown glaze accented with white is a visual representation of race relations as it was the late 19th century. It can be seen as a commentary on the dominance of white culture in American society while the dark color acts as an ever present reminder of the complex relationships between race and identity. This watercolor reminds us to reflect on the cultural values and social dynamics that shape our understanding of everyday objects.