Images(3)

Bottle

Dateca. 1822

Maker John Swann

Retailed by Hugh Smith

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Alexandria

MediumSalt-glazed stoneware, gray

DimensionsOther: 9in. (22.9cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2008-73

DescriptionOvoid-shaped, three-gallon, salt-glazed stoneware bottle with slightly flattened sides, narrow neck, and wide band at rim. The pulled strap handle is attached high on the body with the top attachment point close to the neck of the vessel. There are four long, narrow scars (almost rectangular) on the shoulder of the pot indicating the use of kiln furniture, most likely a collar, to separate this piece from another stacked on top of it. Overall the pot is very light gray, almost tan, in color. It is marked high on the side with a stamp indicating it was produced by Hugh Smith & Company.
Label TextHugh Smith was born in England in 1769. He immigrated to Alexandria, Virginia and became a citizen in 1795. His primary business was importing ceramics from England and retailing them in his shop in Alexandria. He was a prominent merchant, serving as director of The Bank of Potomac and president of the Common Council of Alexandria. In 1815 he established the business, Hugh Smith & Co as a direct result of going into partnership with his nephew Thomas Smith. Then in 1821, John Swann, potter and owner of the Wilkes Street Pottery in Alexandria mortgaged his business to Hugh Smith. Prior to this it seems that John Swann was providing utilitarian stoneware to Smith for sale in his shop, after the date of the mortgage Swann continued to manufacture stoneware, but it was now marked Hugh Smith & Co rather than J. Swann. Just three years later, Swann declared bankruptcy and Hugh Smith took possession of the Wilkes Street Pottery in 1824. After this change the mark used on the pots was H. Smith & Co.

Hugh Smith & Co produced a wide variety of utilitarian forms including bottles, jugs, milk pans, crocks, and coolers.
InscribedIncised "3" on the upper shoulder near the neck. Indicates that this bottle has a three-gallon capacity.
MarkingsStamped "HUGH SMITH & CO." within a serrated box
ProvenanceRobert R. Hunter, Jr., Williamsburg, Virginia