Antique North Carolina Red Clay Salt-Glazed Stoneware Pitcher

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This antique North Carolina salt-glazed stoneware pitcher is attributed to the Craven family of potters. The one-gallon piece closely resembles … Read more This antique North Carolina salt-glazed stoneware pitcher is attributed to the Craven family of potters. The one-gallon piece closely resembles examples made by William Nicholas Craven (1820–1903).
It is likely from the Piedmont region; it was purchased years ago by Clover’s Cottage at an estate sale. Its Ovid or pear-shaped body, flared collar, and wide pouring spout reflect the highly stylistic traits of 19th-century North Carolina utilitarian pitchers. We believe that this is a classic highly soulful example of mid 19th century North Carolinian utilitarian or folk art made during the brief and celebrated "transition period" of Piedmont Pottery.
It showcases local Iron rich Red Clay fired at high temperatures in a wood burning kiln when blasted with rock salt the red clay reacted to produce the beautiful, variegated light brown surface with the distinct tactile orange peel brown texture.
The piece also unmistakably bears the hallmarks of the legendary Craven family Pottery dynasty including a crisp decorative tool line exactly one inch below the rim which served to reinforce the neck during firing.
The hand-pulled strap handle is full of artesian character displaying two prominent deep thumb prints impressions left by the potter were the handle terminals attached to the top and the bottom.
It is a "transitional piece" red clay was fragile and easily cracked turned out to be poisonous hence leading to experimentation by many families including the Cravens to get away from the red clay base After 1960 potters in central North Carolina discovered massive superior veins of light Gray stoneware often called Mitchfield clay in the Piedmont region of North Carolina See less