Images(4)

Storage Jar

Dateca. 1800

Maker Thomas W. Commeraw (alternate spellings - Commereau, Commerau) (1797 - 1819)

OriginAmerica, New York, New York City, Manhattan

MediumSalt-glazed stoneware

DimensionsOverall: 8 15/16 x 7 11/16 x 7 5/8in. (22.7 x 19.5 x 19.4cm)

Credit LineGift of Marvin (Joe) and Nancy Stone

Object number2009.900.2

DescriptionOvoid shaped storage jar with impressed swags and tassels on the shoulders of the jar, typical of late 18th century embellishment. The decoration is filled in with blue. There are bands of incised lines around the shoulders and base. The rim is irregular, a characteristic caused by firing and there are several small blow-outs in the body where inclusions in the clay exploded during firing. These imperfections do not affect the overall appearance of the piece. There are stamped letters on both sides of the vessel. One side reads, "COMMERAWS/STONEWARE" and the other reads, "CORLEARS/HOOK". The S at the end of Commeraws is stamped backwards as is the N in stoneware.
Label TextThomas Commereau, a free African-American potter, established his stoneware kiln on the East River in Manhattan at Corlear's Hook in 1797. He operated it for only one year before David Morgan took over the pottery. Commereau returned to take over the kiln again in 1802 and ran the pottery until 1819, although he appears infrequently in the records after 1811.
InscribedThere are stamped letters on both sides of the vessel. One side reads, "COMMERAWS/STONEWARE" and the other reads, "CORLEARS/HOOK". The S at the end of Commeraws is stamped backwards as is the N in stoneware.
ProvenanceThis piece came from Marvin (Joe) and Nancy Stone's father's family; he was Wilbur Sprott and lived in W. Nyack, NY.

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