Skip to main content
No image number on slide
"Little Brown Jug"
No image number on slide

"Little Brown Jug"

Dateca. 1885
Artist/Maker Anna Pottery (1859-1896)
MediumStoneware, salt-glazed, brown with Albany slip
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.
Markings"Little Brown Jug/BEWARE" is incised on the vessel.
ProvenanceMaze Pottinger Antiques, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
DS2005-0428
ca. 1920
No image number on slide
ca. 1820
Bottle 2015-343
ca. 1823
No image number on slide
1861-1870
No image number on slide
ca. 1876
1930-305, Jug
1917-1940
Face Jug 1958.900.1
1875-1925
DS1986-570
ca. 1650