Snake Jug 1872 - 1882

Editor: This striking earthenware "Snake Jug" was created by Cornwall Kirkpatrick sometime between 1872 and 1882. It’s currently held at the Met. The figures emerging from this dark stoneware immediately grab your attention. The contrast between the almost friendly-looking snakes and the somewhat panicked faces is quite intriguing! What social undercurrents were being addressed by an object like this? Curator: This jug isn't simply decorative; it speaks to the social and cultural landscape of its time. Southern folk pottery traditions, often crafted by marginalized communities, become powerful vehicles for narrative. The combination of the grotesque with the utilitarian transforms it into more than a jug; it is a potent form of cultural commentary. Consider the visual vocabulary – why snakes, and what stories might they be telling about the socio-political dynamics of the South at this time? Editor: Hmm, the South... So are you saying the snakes might be symbols, not just decorations? Perhaps linked to biblical tales, or… are you implying a connection to specific political tensions from that era? Curator: Absolutely. The prevalence of certain iconographies provides insight. We must also look into the patron networks and exhibition spaces that may have influenced its initial audiences. These vessels acted as commentary, whether sanctioned or subversive, embedded within objects readily consumed. Who was buying, using, or commissioning works of this nature at the time? That in itself is part of its untold narrative. Editor: That's really made me rethink the context behind these everyday objects. It’s a ceramic piece imbued with layers of history. Curator: Precisely. Recognizing the cultural landscape reframes the object and how it was designed to generate dialog, from the local craft circle to larger social debates.