Early Antique Stoneware Whiskey Jug — Gray & Company, Spokane, Washington

Details

Description

Antique Gray & Company Spokane Whiskey Jug — 1 Gallon Salt-Glazed Stoneware, c.1900

Scarce antique salt-glazed stoneware whiskey jug boldly … Read more Antique Gray & Company Spokane Whiskey Jug — 1 Gallon Salt-Glazed Stoneware, c.1900

Scarce antique salt-glazed stoneware whiskey jug boldly stenciled “GRAY & COMPANY – SPOKANE, WN.” A rare survivor from the early days of Washington’s Inland Northwest trade, this 1-gallon jug represents the type supplied to merchants and saloons across the Spokane region during the city’s first great boom years around 1900.

The jug features a rich Albany-brown shoulder glaze over a natural salt-fired body, with a hand-stenciled merchant label that shows charming irregularities from its wet application—an unmistakable hallmark of authentic 19th-century utilitarian ware. The glaze at the mouth transitions to a mottled brown-and-cream swirl, adding visual depth and texture.

Condition
Solid and display-ready with no cracks or hairlines. Typical production and age marks include:
• Small firing chip on the shoulder (~3 in.) formed during manufacture
• Areas where the brown glaze skipped in firing
• Minor dings and surface wear from use
• Slight stencil blur to the left from wet transfer
All stable and honest for its age, enhancing the jug’s handmade character.

Dimensions: Approx. 10"H × 7"W (about 1 gallon)

Historical Note
Gray & Company operated as a grocery and liquor wholesaler in Spokane in the late 1800s, supplying hotels and mining camps throughout eastern Washington and Idaho. Surviving examples of their marked jugs are exceptionally uncommon—this may be one of only a handful known in private hands.

A fine piece of Pacific Northwest mercantile and brewery history, perfect for display in a farmhouse kitchen, bar, or Americana collection.




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