//
For internal use only
Not On Display
Flask (Pocket bottle or fish flask)
Rudolph Christ
1801-1830
Category
Ceramics
Creator/Artist/Maker
Rudolph Christ (Maker)
Place of Origin
Salem; North Carolina; Forsyth; South; United States; North America
Materials
- Earthenware (redware)
- Lead glaze
Museum Object Number
1959.2147
Credit Line/Donor
Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont
Share Object
Complete Details
Object Number
1959.2147
Object Name
Flask (Pocket bottle or fish flask)
Category
Ceramics
Creator (Role)
Rudolph Christ (Maker)
Place of Origin
Salem; North Carolina; Forsyth; South; United States; North America
Date
1801-1830
Subject(s)
- Moravian
- Alcoholic beverage ware
Materials
- Earthenware (redware)
- Lead glaze
Techniques
- Press-molded
- Molded
Dimensions (inches)
3.5 (W) x 1.5 (D) x 6.75 (L)
Dimensions (centimeters)
8.89 (W) x 3.81 (D) x 17.145 (L)
Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes
Book: Ames, Kenneth L. 1977 Beyond Necessity: Art in the Folk Tradition.
• Published: p. 34, fig. 19Article: 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. 1840-50Article: 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 1800-50Catalogue: 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 532Catalogue: 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. 1801-29Catalogue: 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.Catalogue: Crocker Farm, Inc. Crocker Farm Auction Catalogue.
• Manganese-glazed fish fbottle: Summer 2024 sale, lot 32, Moravian, Salem, NC, c. 1801-29