Crock
CultureCanadian
ManufacturedToronto, Ontario, Canada
Datelate 19th century
MediumStoneware
DimensionsOverall: 33 × 31 cm (13 × 12 3/16 in.)
MarkingsStamped S.T. Humberstone - Newtonbrook
DescriptionFrom the sales record: The Humberstone family of potters played an important role in the history of pottery in Canada. Through successive generations, the Humberstones made pottery in Newton Brook, today a part of Greater Toronto. Despite a fair sized operation, very few marked pieces of Humberstone pottery exist in collections. It would seem the Humberstones marked very little of their ware. Rarer still are decorated pieces. This crock is marked S.T. (Simon Thomas) Humberstone-Newtonbrook. It is a 6 gal butter crock. The most remarkable thing about this crock is the decoration. The flowers appear to be done in brown slip, instead of the usual cobalt blue. It is possible the slip mixture was offor something happened in the firing to change the colour, but there is not a hint of blue in the design. Note in this same sale we have a piece of brown slip covered Humberstone pottery, so the ydid use a brown glaze. We rarely list a piece of stoneware as mint, but this crock is perfect. There is a bit of calcium (hard water) staining, but no damage. Rings like a bell! Decorated Humberstone pieces are extremely rare. This one with the brown flowers is unique.
Credit LineThe Raphael Yu Collection
Object numberT10.6.359
Classifications
North AmericanSub-classification
CanadianCollections
Status
Not on view
