Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2020.FIC.062 |
Object Name |
Pitcher |
Title |
Empire Pottery Floral Pitcher |
Description |
This white cylindrical pitcher features a gold rim on both the top and bottom anda floral sprig design on the front and back. The floral sprig consists of a brown stem, green and brown leaves, brown berries, and pink flowers. On the front, the top of the sprig is positioned near the upper left, while the bottom is near the lower right. The back design mirrors the front but is smaller and facing the opposite direction. The pitcher has a handle on the right side, shaped like a half square. The top is open, revealing the inside, with a bumpy rim, and a portion of the rim juts out on the left side for pouring. A large black Empire Pottery logo adorns the bottom. The logo features the words "EMPIRE POTTERY" at the top, followed by an image of a lion on the left and a unicorn on the right, both holding a ring with a crown atop it. Below the image is a banner with illegible text, and the bottom of the logo reads, "IRONSTONE CHINA. A&M." According to Edwin Atlee Barber of the Trenton Historical Society, The Potteries of Trenton Society, and the "Among the Potters" article from the November 15th edition of the Trenton Evening Times, the company that would eventually become Empire Pottery was originally founded by Charles Coxon and J. F. Thompson in 1863. In either 1883 or 1884, the partnership of Alpaugh and Magowan acquired the company and renamed it Empire Pottery. The company produced a range of products, including thin porcelain, dinnerware, tea sets, toilet ware, decorated items, and sanitary and plumbers' earthenware. Alpaugh and Magowan frequently used the British coat of arms on many of their products. In 1892, Empire Pottery merged with several other companies-The Crescent, The Delaware, The Enterprise, and The Equitable-to form the Trenton Potteries Company. Citations: "Among the Potters." Trenton Evening Times, Sunday, November 15, 1885. Barber, E. A. (n.d.). Marks of American potters. Trenton Historical Society, New Jersey. https://www.trentonhistory.org/Made/Marks.html Empire Pottery. Potteries of Trenton Society. (n.d.-c). https://potteriesoftrentonsociety.org/research/records/empire-pottery/ |
Year Range from |
1883 |
Year Range to |
1892 |
Material |
Ceramic |
Artist |
Empire Pottery |
Height (in) |
4.250 |
Diameter (in) |
2.500 |
Condition |
Okay |
Condition Notes |
Overall: Paint cracking and accretions throughout. A large crack on the back. Front: There is paint cracking all across the pitcher. Right Side: There is paint cracking all across the pitcher. Also, there is a green accretion on the top of the handle near the right edge. Back: There is paint cracking all across the pitcher. There is a crack that starts at the top and goes until the bottom on the left side. The logo is faded. And finally, there is a brown accretion on top near the right side. Left Side: There is an abrasion on the center near the middle. Also, there is a brown accretion on the center near the right side. Top: There is a crack on the inside that starts on the top and goes until the bottom. There are brown accretions on the bottom. Bottom: There is wear around the rim. Also, the logo is faded |
Inscription Type |
Manufacturer's Mark |
Inscription Location |
Bottom, Top to Bottom, Right Side |
Inscription Technique |
Stamped |
Inscription Text |
'EMPIRE POTTERY" Line 1 "IRONSTONE CHINA" Line 2 "A&M" Line 3 |
People |
Charles Coxon J. F. Thompson |
Classification |
Domestic Life/Household Goods Business & Commerce |
Subjects |
Ceramic industry Flowers Plants Plant parts Water Drinking vessels |
Search Terms |
Charles Coxon J. F. Thompson 1883 1892 19th Century Water Plants Flowers Brown Pink Green Pitcher Ceramic Trenton Empire Pottery Floral Sprig Empire Pottery Floral Pitcher |
Provenance |
Found in collection |