Early 20th Century American Tin Oil Jug Memory Folk Art

This beautiful earthenware jug originates from Germany and dates from the late 19th century. What makes this piece special is that, in the 1950s, it was decorated with a colorful mos...

Rustic American Stoneware hand tossed jug from the late 19th century.

A pique-assiette folk art jug. French, early 20C. Stock ref. #3233 Pique-assiette is a form of French folk art whereby broken pottery is used to create a mosaic design. In good o...

Based in Chicago, IL, contemporary artist Michael Thompson creates unique kites, collages and mixed media works assembled from material fragments of past and present collected in his travels. In his ongoing series of memory jugs, Thompson adorns stoneware vessels with a kaleidoscope of ceramic shards, found objects, and pocket-sized trinkets he collected over the course of his life. Also known as forget-me-not jugs or spirit jars, memory jugs are African American folk art objects that honor a loved one who has recently passed. Small tokens and mementos of the deceased are gathered and affixed to the exterior of a jug or vase, an abundance of memories that celebrates a life lived to the fullest. Michael Thompson applies this tradition to his own practice, creating tactile assemblages of this and that. Formed in the manner of collage, each jug honors the lost memories of generations past and his own memories of personally discovering each item. With varied sources for materials including Kyoto, Turkey, and Mexico, a great number of the found shards are 18th and 19th century ceramics...

Artist Statement: During the summers in Connecticut when I was a pre-teen, I lived for playing baseball. I grew up on a farm and had to work hard, but I always made time for baseball. I played everyday and sometimes even slept with my glove underneath my pillow. I dreamed of playing professionally for the New York Yankees. The only thing that dragged me away from playing baseball was an arts and craft’s class in my school’s summer program. On Tuesday afternoon, after lunch, baseball was on hold for arts and crafts. In my first class, they taught us how to make pot holders and build things with Popsicle sticks by gluing them together. It was so much fun. I guess this was the earliest telling of what was to unfold in the future years. I continued to play semi-pro baseball until the age of 38. I was also into weightlifting and even placed in a national competition. Sports and art have always been my passions. I was willing to put sports on hold for my art, though. And sports have always influenced my artwork. My first great influence in art was my craft teacher in high school, Shirley Charron. I was not an “A” student by any means and I did not excel in math or science. Ms. Charron knew I wasn’t a great student and encouraged me to apply for art school at Silvermine College of Arts. The college was holding interviews and all I had to do was make an appointment and bring my artwork. I was excited to find out that they didn’t need to know my S.A.T. scores. So I met with Dean Bob Gray and he liked my artwork. I became a student at the Silvermine College and received my Associate’s Degree from there. I went on to the Maryland Institute of Art where I received my Bachelor of Arts degree. I met several students from various backgrounds and different countries. I was fortunate for having great teachers and mentors along the way. Visiting artists were a big influence to me, as well. My college years helped greatly, keeping me out of the ‘real world’ and into the realm of creativity and free­ flowing ideas. After receiving my Masters Degree from the Art Institute of Chicago in 1977. I stayed in Chicago. I became ‘so-to-speak’ a “Chicago” artist, living in lofts, dreaming the dreams of becoming known and reaching for the stars. I was still quite naïve at the age of 30. Luckily, I kept my day job as a cleaning man. I worked hard during those years after graduate school and still do 28 years later. During those 28 years, I tried out for the Chicago White Sox...

This 19th-century American stoneware jug is reminiscent of the works attributed to George W. Miller of Strasburg, Virginia, a noted Shenandoah Valley potter active in the mid-to-late...

**18th Century Antique Spout Tankard in Baroque Style** A superb and rare 18th-century spout tankard, crafted in a primitive Baroque style. This handcrafted vessel—also known as a p...

1892 American Folk Art Pottery whimsical jug / pitcher Makers mark

19Thc Original decorated stoneware three gallon jug with lots of blue decorated floral glaze. The condition is pristine. Found in Pennsylvania.

This 19th century blue decorated stoneware jug has a interesting design and is signed by the maker J.S.Tamaka.