Object Number 1959.2147

Object Name

Flask (Pocket bottle or fish flask)

Category

Ceramics

Credit Line/Donor

Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont

Creator (Role)

Rudolph Christ (Maker)

Place of Origin

Salem, Forsyth, North Carolina, South, United States, North America

Date

1801-1830

Subjects

Moravian; Alcoholic beverage ware

Materials

Earthenware (redware); Lead glaze

Techniques

Press-molded, Molded

Dimensions (inches)

6.75 (L) , 3.5 (W) , 1.5 (D)

Dimensions (centimeters)

17.145 (L) , 8.89 (W) , 3.81 (D)

Object Description

Text available soon.

Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes

[Book] Ames, Kenneth L. 1977 Beyond Necessity: Art in the Folk Tradition.
• Published: p. 34, fig. 19
[Article] Brown, Johanna. 2009 Tradition and Adaptation in Moravian Press-Molded Earthenware. Ceramics in America. 105-38.
• Several sizes of green-glazed fish flasks and molds: p. 112, fig. 12, and p. 120, figs. 28-29 Salem, NC, 1801-30.
[Book] Kauffman, Henry J. 1964 Pennsylania Dutch: American Folk Art.
• Different model redware with green slip dots fish flask attributed to PA: p. 105, with lengthwise lines and dot-rows for scales.
[Article] Beckerdite, Luke & Hunter, Robert. 01//2007 Earth Transformed: Early Southern Pottery at MESDA and Old Salem. Antiques. 160-169.
• For related information on Southern potting traditions.
[Book] Oswald, Adrian, et al. 1983 English Brown Stoneware 1670-1900.
• Lambeth, London salt-glazed brown stoneware fish flask impressed "Brighton Fish R. Cooper Railway Terminus Brighton W. Northen Potter Vauxhall Lambeth," c. 1840.
[Book] Hildyard, R. J. C. 1985 Browne Muggs: English Brown Stoneware.
• Salt-glazed brown stoneware fish flask: p. 63, no. 143, London, c. 1840. With impressed inscription and mark. (Also illustrated in Oswalt, Stoneware.)
[Book] Pardue, Rick. 2008 Ceramics for Children 1650-1835.
• Moravian fish flask in green glaze: p. 67, fig. 4.11.
[Book] Noel Hume, Ivor. 2001 If These Pots Could Talk: Collecting 200 Years of British Household Pottery.
• Two models of English salt-glazed brown stoneware fish flasks: p. 321, fig. XIV.32, one impressed "T. BALLANCE, Wine & Brandy Merchant, Red Lion, Ratcliff Highway," c. 1840-50
[Article] Brown, Johanna. 02//2011 Eye on Antiques: Moravian Figural Bottles. Early American Life Magazine. XLII: 8-15.
• Article includes some Winterthur flask forms: pp. 10 (3 sizes of fish), 12 squirrels & mold), 13 (bear). Several other forms and molds.
[Book] 1933 Loan Exhibition of Drinking Vessels, Books, Documents, etc., etc., etc., held at the Vintners’ Hall London.
• Two models of English stoneware fish flasks: pl. XXVII, England 1800-50
[Catalogue] Crocker Farm, Inc. Crocker Farm Auction Catalogue.
• Tortoiseshell patterned version, attributed to Rudolph Christ, Salem, NC: November 2, 2013 sale, lot 1, in larger size (L: 9 3/4") than Winterthur version.
[Catalogue] Sotheby & Co. [auction catalogue].
• Green Rudolph Christ fish flask sold at auction: January 25, 2014 (NY), Ralph O. Esmerian sale, lot 532
[Catalogue] Norman C. Heckler & Company Sale Catalogue. 03/07/2012 Norman C. Heckler & Company Sale Catalogue.
• American blue glass fish flask inscribed "W H Ware / Patent 1866": Aprill collection sale (Pt 2), 9/2/2019, lot 186, listed as a rare bitters bottle.
[Catalogue] Christie's, Inc. 2006 Important American Furniture, Folk Art, Silver and Prints, Including the Garbisch Collection from the Sky Club.
• Similar flask sold at auction: lot 340 with useful references.
[Catalogue] Crocker Farm, Inc. Crocker Farm Auction Catalogue.
• Moravian fish flask in brown glaze: Fall 2023 sale, lot 27, smaller size (L: 5 1/4") than Winterthur's green example. 1801-29
[Catalogue] Crocker Farm, Inc. Crocker Farm Auction Catalogue.
• Salt-glazed stoneware different model fish flask, probably Huntingdon County, PA: Summer 2022 sale, lot 108, differrnt model, very rare. Excavated Huntingdon, PA town dump. 19th century.