Bottle c. 1830

This ceramic bottle, created around 1830 by an anonymous artist, is a prime example of early 19th-century American folk art. The bottle is shaped as a seated man with a barrel behind him, and is decorated with a brown glaze, a style that was popular in the period. The inscription on the base reads "I Sell by the Gallon or by the Rope," a humorous and suggestive statement that reflects the social context of the time. The bottle is part of the collection at the Art Institute of Chicago.