Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2020.FIC.057 |
Object Name |
Mug |
Title |
Morris and Wilmore Company Small Monk Mug |
Description |
The mug is a brown cylindrical shape, featuring an image of a monk drinking wine and holding a picnic basket on the front. It has dark brown rims at both the top and bottom, with the bottom rim being significantly larger than the one at the top. The main body of the mug is brown at the top and bottom, with a light brown middle section. The mug slightly narrows toward the top. The monk depicted in the image is a heavyset Caucasian man with grey hair, wearing a brown robe and a matching brown beanie. In his left hand, he holds a wine bottle, which has a white bottom and red top. On his right shoulder, he carries a picnic basket, which is light brown and woven. Inside the basket are purple grapes and a white, circular-shaped fruit. There is also another wine bottle inside the basket, which is white on 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, matching the dark brown color of the rims. The top of the mug is open, revealing the interior, which is white, as is the bottom of the mug. On the bottom, near the center, is a brown Morris and Wilmore Company logo. Most of the logo is illegible, except for the portion that reads "TRENTON. N.J." Based on the style of other logos, it is likely that the top portion of the logo reads "COLUMBIA" and the bottom reads "ART POTTERY." The item comes with a small note that reads, "Two pieces of a tea set by the Columbian Art Pottery." 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) |
3.500 |
Length (in) |
3.500 |
Width (in) |
2.750 |
Condition |
Okay |
Condition Notes |
Overall: Accretions throughout. There is a large crack on the left side. Top: There are white accretions on the bottom going from the left edge to the right edge. Also, there is a white accretion on top near the right side. Right Side: There are white accretions all over the handle. Back: There are white accretions all over the back. Left Side: There are white accretions all over the left side. Also, there is a crack that starts at the top and goes until the bottom near the middle. Top: There are dirt accretions all over the inside. There is paint cracking all over the inside. There is a crack on the inside. And finally, there is an abrasion on the inside. Bottom: There is wear all over the edges. There is paint cracking all over the bottom. And finally, the logo is extremely faded. |
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 Fruit Ceramic Wine Religion Drinks Monk Religion Picnic Basket Fruit Grapes Morris and Wilmore Company Columbian Art Pottery 1892 1906 Robes Beanie Morris and Wilmore Company Small Monk Mug |
Provenance |
Found in collection |