Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2001.001.001 |
Object Name |
Pitcher |
Title |
Morris and Wilmore Company Monk Newspaper Pitcher |
Description |
The object is a brown cylindrical pitcher featuring an image of a monk reading a newspaper on the front. The pitcher has dark brown rims at both the top and bottom, with the bottom rim significantly larger than the top. The main body of the pitcher is brown at the top and bottom, with a lighter brown section in the middle. The monk in the image is an elderly, heavyset Caucasian man with gray hair. He is mostly bald, with hair visible only on the sides of his head. The monk wears a brown robe and black glasses, which are perched on top of his head, not over his eyes. He appears to be smiling. In both hands, he holds an open newspaper, the back of which contains writing and images. While the writing is illegible, partial images are visible. On the left, there is an image of four individuals in different-colored outfits: purple, green, green and blue, and red, from left to right. On the right side, there is an image of a woman dressed entirely in gold. There is a half-heart-shaped handle on the right side of the pitcher, which is dark brown, matching the rims. The pitcher slightly flares out near the top on the left side. The top of the pitcher is open, revealing a white interior and bottom. At the center of the bottom, there is a faint brown logo for the Morris and Wilmore Company, though it is nearly faded. The logo appears to include an image at the top and words at the bottom, with only "TRENTON. N.J." still partially legible. The artifact comes with a note that reads: "Gift of Pete DiMarcello 9.01. Columbia Art Pottery tea set." According to The Trenton City Museum, the Potteries of Trenton Society, and David J. Goldberg's Preliminary Notes on the Pioneer Potters and Potteries of Trenton, N.J.: The First Thirty Years - 1852 - 1882, Morris and Wilmore Company (sometimes known as Columbian Art Pottery) was founded in 1892 by William T. Morris and Francis Willmore. Before starting their own business, both men worked for Royal Worcester and Ott and Brewer. The company was known for producing Belleek-style products and decorated white ware. Due to limited production, surviving examples of their work are extremely rare. The partnership dissolved in 1905, resulting in a forced sale. Morris continued to operate his own business, Morris China Co., for another decade. Citations Columbian Art Pottery. Potteries of Trenton Society. (n.d.). https://potteriesoftrentonsociety.org/research/records/columbian-art-pottery/ Goldberg, David J. 1998. Preliminary Notes on the Pioneer Potters and Potteries of Trenton, N.J.: The First Thirty Years – 1852 – 1882 (And Beyond). Privately published, Trenton, New Jersey. The Pottery Industry in Trenton - Trenton City Museum. Trenton City Museum -. (2022, January 5). https://ellarslie.org/collection/pottery/ |
Year Range from |
1892 |
Year Range to |
1906 |
Material |
Ceramic |
Artist |
Morris and Wilmore Company |
Height (in) |
4.000 |
Length (in) |
4.500 |
Width (in) |
3.500 |
Condition |
Okay |
Condition Notes |
Overall: Paint cracking, abrasions, and accretions throughout Front: There is paint cracking all over. There is an abrasion on top near the middle. And finally, there is a clear accretion on top near the middle. Right Side: There is wear on top of the handle. There is wear on the inside of the handle near the bottom. And finally, there is a black horizontal accretion on the center near the right side. Back: There is paint cracking all over. There are white accretions on top near the left side. There is an abrasion on the center near the middle. And finally, there are white accretions on the bottom near the left side. Left Side: There is an abrasion on top near the middle. Top: There is paint crack on the bottom of the inside. There is a crack on the wall of the inside. There are black accretions on the inside. And finally, there are some dirt accretions on the inside. Bottom: There is paint cracking all over. The logo is almost completely faded. And finally, there is a crack on the bottom near the right side. |
Inscription Type |
Manufacturer's Mark |
Inscription Location |
Bottom, Center, Middle |
Inscription Technique |
Stamped |
Inscription Text |
"TRENTON. N.J." Line 1 |
People |
William T. Morris Francis Willmore |
Classification |
Domestic Life/Household Goods Business & Commerce |
Subjects |
Ceramic industry Religion Religious orders Monks Water Drinking vessels Newspaper industry Newspapers Men |
Search Terms |
William T. Morris Francis Willmore Pete DiMarcello Ceramic Religion Newpaper People Clothing Writing Pitcher Brown White Man Glasses Monk Pitcher Morris and Wilmore Company Columbian Art Pottery Brown White Red Blue Green Gold 1892 1906 19th Century 20th Century Robes Morris and Wilmore Company Monk Newspaper Pitcher |
Provenance |
This item was donated by Pete DiMarcello. It became part of the Trenton Free Public Library's Museum Collection in September of 2001. |