Tobacco Jar

Period1690-1730

Place MadeProbably England

MediumTin enamel glaze over buff earthenware

Dimensions14.5 × 11 in. (36.8 × 27.9 cm)

MarkingsJar signed on underside with cluster of three blue-painted "lollipop" marks

ClassificationsAdvertising, Business & Ornamental Artifacts

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. William C. Riker, 1971

Object number1979.517.7

DescriptionTobacco jar, with cylindrical body and shallow molded band around neck and base. Pair of molded lion's heads at left and right sides, glazed blue. Thick plain neck. Jar ornamented with elaborate blue glazed decoration on front, consisting of central open astragal panel with the inscription "3 RAPPE DE ST OMER." Panel flanked by pair of Native Americans, holding pipes and standing in front of bundles of tobacco leaves. Panel topped with elaborate palmetto and stylized foliate scrolling. Along bottom of panel, there is a border panel of stylized floral and foliate motifs.Separate lid of molded brass, in stepped cone shape, topped with a finial.
Curatorial RemarksThis type of blue glaze decoration over white opaque tin glaze is commonly referred to as "Delftware." Although this type of ceramic is most closely identified with Holland, earliest English examples of this type of ceramic date from the very early 1600s. The method of adding of oxide of tin to transparent glaze, in order to produce a pure white opaque glaze, has been dated back to ancient Assyria. This type of tobacco jar was not for personal use, rather it could be found in apothecaries for commercial use. When used in business practice, it was important to have clear labels in order to identify different types of tobaccos. The label "RAPPE DE ST OMER" can be broken down further; "Rappe" is derived from the French word for grating, a key part in the tobacco bundle process. St Omer was the brand name for rappe snuff, named after the French commune Saint-Omer.

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