Gray Stone Jar c. 1940

This lidded jar was made by John Price, though the date is unknown. It’s stoneware, meaning it was fired at a high temperature, making it non-porous and durable. Stoneware is a very practical material, ideal for utilitarian objects like this one. The jar's earthy color comes from the clay itself and the firing process. But there is also a flourish: the cobalt-blue floral decoration, likely applied as a liquid slip before firing. We can imagine the maker carefully painting these details, adding a touch of artistry to an otherwise functional object. Jars like this were essential in the pre-refrigeration era for storing food. They speak to a time when preserving harvests was crucial, and craft skills were deeply interwoven with daily life. The weighty presence of this jar reminds us of the labor involved in both its creation and its use, a tangible connection to a not-so-distant past.