Crock c. 1937 - 1938

George Loughridge created this watercolor and graphite rendering of a crock, around the turn of the 20th century. Loughridge's detailed depiction invites us to consider the cultural significance of such a humble, utilitarian object during a period of rapid industrialization. This crock, adorned with cobalt blue decorations, speaks to the intersections of labor, commerce, and domestic life in America. Stoneware like this was essential for food preservation, playing a critical role in households managing their resources through changing seasons. The maker's mark, "T.G. Boone & Sons, Sands St. Brooklyn, NY," connects the object to a specific place and community. The very act of Loughridge immortalizing this crock in art elevates it. It asks us to reflect on the value of handmade objects and the stories they tell about everyday lives, and about the emotional connections we form with the things we use and cherish.