Jug c. 1937

Yolande Delasser rendered this jug in watercolor, though the date of its creation remains unknown. The jug itself, likely stoneware, speaks to a particular moment in American manufacturing and domestic life. Notice the inscription "Riedinger & Caire, Poughkeepsie NY." This directs us to a specific pottery works in New York, active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Such jugs were common for storing liquids, from water to whiskey, and their presence signals a society reliant on durable, reusable containers. The blue floral motif, a recurring design element, suggests an effort to elevate a utilitarian object with a touch of artistry. What does it mean to represent this commonplace object as art? Was Delasser, born in 1855, interested in elevating the everyday? Was it a sign of progressive ideas about the role of art? Exploring local historical records, advertisements, and company archives for Riedinger & Caire can give us a fuller understanding of its significance. The meaning of this jug is, after all, contingent on its social and institutional context.