Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2001.001.002 |
Object Name |
Mug |
Title |
Morris and Wilmore Company Large Monk Mug |
Description |
The object is a brown cylindrical mug featuring an image of a monk drinking wine and holding a picnic basket on the front. The mug has dark brown rims at both the top and bottom, with the bottom rim noticeably larger than the top. The main body of the mug is brown at the top and bottom, with a lighter brown section in the middle. The monk depicted in the image is a heavyset Caucasian man with gray hair, wearing a brown robe and a brown beanie. He holds a wine bottle in his left hand, with the bottle colored white at the bottom and red at the top. On his right shoulder, the monk carries a light brown woven picnic basket. Inside the basket are purple grapes, a white circular fruit, and another wine bottle, which is white at the bottom and clear at the top. The handle of the mug is located on the right side and is shaped like a half circle. It is dark brown, matching the color of the rims. The top of the mug is open, revealing a white interior and bottom. At the center of the bottom, there is a brown Morris and Wilmore Company logo, which reads, "COLUMBIA. TRENTON. N.J. ART POTTERY." A small line separates the words "COLUMBIA" and "TRENTON." 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) |
4.250 |
Width (in) |
3.000 |
Condition |
Good |
Condition Notes |
Overall: Paint cracking, accretions, and a few abrasions throughout. Front: There are a couple of abrasions and scratches on the bottom going from left to right. Also, there is paint cracking all over. Right Side: There are white accretions all over the handle. There is war on the inside of the handle. Back: There is paint cracking all over. There is a white accretion on top near the left side. Left Side: There is a clear accretion on the center near the right side. Top: There is paint cracking all over. Also, there are dirt accretions on the bottom of the inside. Bottom: There is paint cracking all over. There is a glue accretion directly to the left of the logo. The logo is faded. And finally, there is wear and abrasions all around the edges. |
Inscription Type |
Manufacturer's Mark |
Inscription Location |
Bottom, Center, Middle |
Inscription Technique |
Stamped |
Inscription Text |
"COLUMBIA" Line 1 "TRENTON" Line 2 "N.J." Line 3 "ART POTTERY" Line 4 |
People |
William T. Morris Francis Willmore |
Classification |
Domestic Life/Household Goods Business & Commerce |
Subjects |
Fruit Ceramic industry Grapes Wine Wine industry Water Religion Religious orders Monks Men |
Search Terms |
William T. Morris Francis Willmore Pete DiMarcello Ceramic Religion Monk Brown White 19th Century 20th Century 1892 1906 Fruit Wine Alchol Grapes Robes Beanie Columbia Art Pottery Morris and Wilmore Company Purple Red Morris and Wilmore Company Large Monk Mug |
Provenance |
This item was donated by Pete DiMarcello. It became part of the Trenton Free Public Library's Museum Collection in September of 2001. |