"Little Brown Jug"

Dateca. 1885

Artist/Maker Anna Pottery 1859-1896

MediumSalt-glazed stoneware

Dimensions5" x 3 5/8" x 4" (12.7 cm. x 9.2 cm. x 10.2 cm.)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1975.900.5

DescriptionSmall bulbous-shaped, wheel-thrown bottle form with tooled foot or base and ring-turned neck, to which a handle in the form of a naturalistic snake has been applied coiling once around the neck of the jug and twisting down the back. All over coating of Albany slip except the base with the inscription incised on the front. The snake shows raised scales.Label TextA snake climbing up the side and curling around the neck forms the handle of this hand-sized jug. the incised words "little brown jug," which traditionally describe a pottery vessel that holds liquor, and "beware," probably suggest the association of intoxication with humor, rather than being a literal warning about the danger inside.Mark(s)"Little Brown Jug/BEWARE" is incised on the vessel.ProvenanceMaze Pottinger Antiques, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.