Stoneware Jug 1935 - 1942

Charles Caseau made this watercolor of a stoneware jug, though the date is unknown. The jug itself might seem like an ordinary object, yet its ordinariness speaks volumes about its cultural significance. Stoneware jugs like this were common in American households, especially during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They were used for storing and transporting liquids, from water and milk to more potent beverages. The cobalt blue decorations, often floral or folklike, added a touch of artistry to utilitarian objects. The jug here is associated with White & Wood, Binghamton, N.Y., perhaps the manufacturer. Caseau's decision to depict this stoneware jug elevates it from a mere vessel to a symbol of American domestic life and material culture. By studying objects like this, alongside historical documents and manufacturing records, we can gain insights into the everyday lives, tastes, and values of past generations. The public role of art and imagery is to open up these areas of social and cultural history.