Description:
Thrown u-shaped jug with attached side strap handle, applied tubular spout with cork, top of jug is a circular opening, decorated with white glaze on the exterior and a brown glaze on the interior, impressed on side of pot in a rectangle, “METCALF/ BOSTON.” Pot has separate circular lid with round flattened finial. Painted in red on the bottom, “43.” Formerly part of the Burton N. Gates Collection. Part of the jug’s rim has been broken out and are missing; has been conserved. Possible apothecary ware? Original Gates notecard for this object reads, "Pitcher (apothecary)/ Col. Worcester. Stoneware. Handled pitcher with side pour. Incis-/ed rings about snout & rim. Incised. Marked on side./ Whitish gray glaze 6.5 in. high. METCALF/BOSTON [in square] Staminferous glaze/ continental piece? 1800 or earlier Pitkin." Object conserved at the Williamstown Art Conservation Center in 2016. Research by Lorraine and Steve German revealed that "Theodore Metcalf founded a druggist company in 1837, located on Tremont St. The company continued through the early part of the 20th C. There are other items marked with Metcalf's name on it including spoons, etc. As for the form, I discovered a similar vessel that was used for inhaling ether, chloroform, steam, etc. for various medical purposes. Later on, the business also had a well-equipped experimental lab, where it could have been used as well. This object was something used and/or sold by Metcalf's company for use in the pharmaceutical/medical field, made in the latter part of the 19th C or early in the 20th C. Interestingly, Metcalf's was the first place in New England to sell ether, chloroform and cocaine."
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2014.4.191 |
