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Early American Face Jugs

Search Terms American Folk Art, Jugs, American Face Jug Pottery, American Folk Art Face Jugs, Grotesque Jugs, Pots, Pottery, Clay, Ceramics, George H. Meyer

George Meyer, George H Meyer, Charlie Nairn, Charles B. Nairn, Charles Nairn, Sandringham Press

Sandringhampress.com, Kay Meyer, Kay White Palmer, Kay White Meyer, Edgefield, Edgefield Districk, South Carolina SC, Southern, Ohio, Anna Pottery, Anna Il, Anna Illinois, Robert Hunter, Philip Wingard, Dr. John E. Hoar, John Landrum Horse Creek, B.F. Landrum John Landrum Horse Creek, Dave, Dave Drake, Dave the Slave, Colonel Thomas Davies, Miles Mill Pottery,

Mark Baynham Jr., Stoney Bluff, E.G. Beaty, Aiken, Benjamin Franklin Landrum, Kaolin, Lewis Miles, James A. Palmer, JA Palmer, Abner Duncan Van Allen Pottery, Henry McDermit, Galloway Crooksville Pottery, John Dollings Stine Pottery, Nathan E. Gardner, Charles F. Decker Keystone Pottery, Henry Remmey, Richard Remmey, Whatley Pottery, Thomas Chandler, Harvey F. Reinhardt, Burlon Craig, Casey Meaders, Brown Family, Davis Pennington Brown, Evan Javan Brown, Louis Brown, Brown Brothers Pottery, Otto Brown, Guy Daughterty, Charles P. Ferguson, Will Hewell, David Dorsey, Owen Gaunt, W.T.B Gordy, Cheever Meaders, Charles Brown, Randolph Factory, Morris Dollings, Ack Family, Erastus Crooks, Andrew Kilpatrick Sr. S. Bray, McAdams Pottery

by George H Meyer and Kay White Meyer

Essays also shine light on the development of the jug and the artistic quality of the traditional face vessel. The history of the face jug is complex and differs from area to area. Both the written explanation and the photographs illustrate similarities and differences in face jug production. 

A chapter on related figural objects shows the variety of forms in which vessels were produced. From the amazing works from the Anna Pottery to the more simple but powerful snake jugs, the range of traditional potters is displayed for all to enjoy.

Early American Face Jugs breaks new ground by revealing the artistic merit of each vessel while displaying the “personality” of these fascinating objects.

George Meyer is noted for finding and collecting sculpture long before the art is appreciated. His book, American Folk Art Canes Personal Sculpture pictured the imaginative treatment of a stick of wood. Early American Face Jugs is the result of 35 years of carefully assembling a stunning collection of face jugs and related pottery from about 1840 to 1950. Each object has been carefully photographed by award winning photographer, Charles Nairn. The combining of Mr. Meyer’s keen eye with the organization of the vessels by region brings the history and artistic value of these once overlooked objects into the place of honor in the art world that they deserve. 

​​The Meyer Collection

June 18, 2019

Face jugs are mysterious, alluring, interesting portraits in clay that are just beginning to be understood within a historical and geographical perspective. George Meyer acquired more than 100 ceramic objects over 35 years, assembling a stunning collection of traditional American face jugs from all areas east of the Mississippi. Many of these objects have not been seen before. 

The personal photography of each object in this book shows the artistic merit of the face jug tradition. In addition, the arrangement of the chapters by geographical areas explains that these potters were not artists working in isolation, but rather were interrelated craftsmen sharing ideas and techniques in a variety of ways. Relationships and connections are explored. In addition to a large number of Early Edgefield, South Carolina, vessels, Northern, Mid-Western and Southern jugs are shown, displaying a tremendous variety of materials and techniques.