Majolica Lidded Turtle Jar by Jan Pugh

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A 1993 hand crafted majolica lidded jar in the shape of a turtle, made by ceramicist Jan Pugh. Made of … Read more A 1993 hand crafted majolica lidded jar in the shape of a turtle, made by ceramicist Jan Pugh. Made of terracotta, the jar is hand painted and glazed with a simple pink rose motif dotted with green foliage over a white base. The turtle's head has a smiling face with Pugh’s iconic ruby lips and long, long lashes. Signed ‘Pugh’ underneath. Comes with original papers from Jan Pugh’s shop, along with a 1993 newspaper article featuring Pugh. Later in 1993 Pugh would be commissioned by the White House to create an Angel for a Christmas tree.

Majolica is the historical term used to describe the traditional process and decorative ceramic technique where a terracotta or red-ware piece is completely coated in an opaque , tin-based white glaze, then decorated with stains and oxides before being fired.

Jan Pugh saw her first piece of pottery being thrown on a potter's wheel at a young age. It made an impression on her, and she enrolled in a pottery class at the Toledo Museum of Art at the age of fourteen confirming her passion for pottery. In 1979, Jan completed her studies at the School for American Craftsmen at the Rochester Institute of Technology and at the Kansas City Art Institute and returned to her hometown of Genoa, Ohio, to set up a studio. This was the beginning of Jan's signature style and the start of Packer Creek Pottery. Packer Creek Pottery was given its name after the lovely little stream that winds its way through the Village of Genoa. Packer Creek Pottery's iconic fish plates and nautical designs are inspired by lakeside proximity. Over the years the business outgrew its tiny one room studio into its current multi-building complex located in charming downtown Genoa.

The dedication to quality and the unique, whimsical, and colorful designs have earned Packer Creek Pottery national recognition. In 1993, Jan was commissioned by the White House to create an angel for a Christmas tree in the Blue Room. The original now resides in the National Archives. Packer Creek Pottery can be found in the homes of many celebrities. Among them are: Jerry Seinfeld, Julie Andrews, Barbara Bush, Queen Noor of Jordan, Cokie Roberts, Jamie & Joy Farr, Lou Holtz, and Katie Holmes. See less