American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts

Provenance:

Ralph Jones (1821-1890) and Susan Elizabeth Morton Jones (1847-1939), of Eatonton, Georgia;

to their daughter, Elizabeth Jones Gooch (1875-1969), and her husband Benjamin Erasmus Gooch (1869-1944);

to their daughter, Susan Gooch Cone (1903-1950), and her husband Aaron Asberry Cone (1899-1967);

thence by descent to the present owner, Eatonton, Georgia.

Note:

When discussing stoneware of the American South, it is essential to consider the work of the now well-known enslaved potter Dave Drake (circa 1800- circa 1870), aka “Dave the Potter.” In recent years, his works have gained the attention of institutions and collectors across the country. With exhibitions like Hear Me Now: The Black Potters of Old Edgefield, South Carolina, a touring exhibition displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), the Museum of Fine Arts (Boston), the High Museum of Art (Atlanta) and the University of Michigan Museum of Art (Ann Arbor), the public is now beginning to learn from the important works created by Drake and other enslaved people in the American South. 

Ralph Jones was born in Granville, North Carolina in 1821, and by the 1850 Census had relocated to Putnam County, Georgia, where his listed occupation is farmer. In 1872, Ralph married Susan Elizabeth Morton, a young woman 25 years his junior. The 1850 Federal Census shows that Susan, her parents and siblings were all from South Carolina. While research indicates she was born in South Carolina, there is no other evidence to suggest that Susan lived anywhere other than Eatonton, Georgia for the rest of her life.

It is unclear how the family of Susan Jones came into possession of this storage jar, but according to family lore, it is certain that the jar has been in the possession of the Jones family since 1859.

No signs of any restoration, though there is fluorescence under UV from surface residue and grime. The one thing that does slightly stand out under UV is an abrasion to the glaze, this appears a few inches below the date. Firing/drying cracks appear near the base. None of these cracks appear to go through to the interior of the vessel. There is an old loss from the interior of the vessel that is likely related to a manufacturing flaw.

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The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

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