Bell City Kentucky Pottery Antique Jug 4 1/2\" Stoneware Fingerprint Howard Clay

This is an antique Bell City Pottery stoneware jug that measures 4 1/2\" tall x 3 3/8\". The corkhole at the top is 1 1/8\". The base is 2 1/4\" diameter. There is a fingerprint mark in the clay at the top by handle. I am pointing to it in one photo. There is not a maker\'s mark. The bottom has \"kiln furniture\" glaze marks. There is a decorative \"scribble\" pattern all over the jug. Some call it \"cat paw\" mark. The jug is also grubby from years of handling. I will leave any cleaning to you. Looks great as is if you ask me. There are no chips or cracks.

Bell City is on the Kentucky/ Tennessee boarder. The city was formerly called \"Rock\" and is 18 miles S.E. of Mayfield, Graves County). Information about this pottery and clay wasobtained from The Kentucky Geological Survey by Willard Rouse Jillson (1922 State Geological Series 6, Vol.8 The Clay Deposits of Kentucky). The gray plastic claywas called \"Howard Clay\" (after first potter manufacturing with it.). He made jugs, jars and crocks by hand. Other families used the clay too. Bell City Pottery was operated later by W.D. Russel and produced stoneware. Firing was done in a \"circular down-draft kiln with wood fuel. It requirs 60 hours and the completion of the process is judged by the trial pieces. Albany slip glaze is employed for glazing. The ware is disposed of in the surrounding country\". Stoneware production stopped in the 1940\'s. This pieceprobably dates to pre-1940. I think there was also a Nancefamily working this pottery. During the mid 20th century Bell City Pottery was one of the biggest producers of pottery yard art and clay pots before they went out of business in the early 1970\'s. They quit yard art in 1960\'s and continued making clay pots for a few more years before they closed their doors.My photos are of the actual item you are getting. See my store for other interesting items.

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We usually ship within 24 hours of payment (weekend & holidays excluded). Please contact us if you prefer another method of shipping. We are happy to combine multiple items to save shipping costs (if items can be put together).

We usually ship within 24 hours of payment (weekend & holidays excluded). Please contact us if you prefer another method of shipping. We are happy to combine multiple items to save shipping costs (if items can be put together).

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Linda Bollenbach and Don Brookens

Brook In The Thicket 210 George St. Anna, IL 62906

618/833-3174

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