We have blogged about Face Jugs
History of Face Jug is in the link below
Face Jugs
The use of pottery jugs can be traced back beyond the Roman Empire. In a region like ours, where histories are often oral, tracing the origins of our traditions is tricky. Face jugs are one of the traditions that are an amalgam of many cultural influences. Amongst that rich history is the port of Charleston; the African tradition of using jug pots as headstones was brought to our culture through this port. Highly prized red glaze recipes from China also made their way to our region from the Charleston port. And even from the pubs of England came a long history and influence through their ever-charming Toby mugs.
Face jugs combine the utilitarian influences of early regional pottery with the unique imagination of individual pottery makers. In the mountains of Georgia, and the Catawba Valley, North Carolina, ugly faces, snakes and devils were added to Market Jugs beginning in the late 1800's. These embellished pots were used to buy & store liquor; the ominous features would scare children so they would not be tempted to try the contents.
The use of pottery jugs can be traced back beyond the Roman Empire. In a region like ours, where histories are often oral, tracing the origins of our traditions is tricky. Face jugs are one of the traditions that are an amalgam of many cultural influences. Amongst that rich history is the port of Charleston; the African tradition of using jug pots as headstones was brought to our culture through this port. Highly prized red glaze recipes from China also made their way to our region from the Charleston port. And even from the pubs of England came a long history and influence through their ever-charming Toby mugs.
Face jugs combine the utilitarian influences of early regional pottery with the unique imagination of individual pottery makers. In the mountains of Georgia, and the Catawba Valley, North Carolina, ugly faces, snakes and devils were added to Market Jugs beginning in the late 1800's. These embellished pots were used to buy & store liquor; the ominous features would scare children so they would not be tempted to try the contents.
More ugly faces, after the jump.
Potter Jim McDowell heard the history of the jugs handed down through generations. According to family lore, ugly jugs were used by slaves as grave markers, made ugly to scare the devil away. McDowell's face jugs include messages, like this one that says "Don't judge the color of my skin; judge me by the content of my character."
According to Pawprint Pottery
of Barnwell, South Carolina, ugly jugs were used to keep kids out of
the moonshine. They were made as scary as possible for this purpose!
These jugs with recycled porcelain teeth would do the trick.
Potters provided jugs for bootleggers during the 1920s, but made them with ugly faces to show their support for Prohibition.
The Smithsonian Institution doesn't know what purpose the ugly jugs served, but places their origin in South Carolina in the mid 1800s.
Most sources I found placed the face jug tradition as beginning in Edgefield, South Carolina, although they are also associated with Georgia and other southern states. Georgia artist Brian Wilson made these whistling face jugs.
American Folk Art and Framing
places the origin of face jugs in the piedmont region of North Carolina
and Georgia. They feature works by many different artists, including
this cross-eyed face jug.
Clayton Bailey makes face jugs with runny noses!
Super lesson...try it out!
1969
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