By Jody Stouffer Art 6991 Sec. 602, Dr. Malley Problems in Interdisciplinary Studies in Art

As long as man has been making forms out of clay, he has applied human characteristics to his forms. The earliest documented pieces displaying facial features appear as early as the late Neolithic Period 9500 B.C.

There are references of face vessels existing from nearly every culture through out history.. Ritual face vessels have been found in the ruins of the Aztecs and Mayans. A Celtic ritual vessel, first century B.C. A Roman face jug of a Satyr's Head from 100 AD

Native Americans of the Middle Mississippi Region are believed to be the first creators of the face vessel on American soil.

It is believed that the southern face jug may actually have been a blend of the English Toby Jug, the German Graybeard and the African Nkisi figurine.

The Toby Jug was created in 1760 by Staffordshire potters in England. The jugs with their tri-cornered hats were popular in the English pubs and taverns.

The German Graybeards were made during the 16 th century and were also popular drinking vessels in the ale houses and taverns of Germany.

As immigrants journeyed from Europe to the United States, they brought with them the prior knowledge of pottery techniques and forms from the Old Country. Pottery would prove to be a necessity for food and liquid storage and consumption.

As potters transplanted from the Northern states to the Southern states it is possible that the knowledge of the Toby jugs and Graybeards traveled with them. Northern Pottery companies also transported stoneware to South Carolina and Georgia to sell.

A major pottery hub developed in the early 1800’s in the Edgefield District of South Carolina. Rich deposits of stoneware and kaolin clays combined with the inexpensive use of slave labor made it prime ground for developing potteries.

It is here that the Southern face jug was born. Some researchers believe that potter Thomas Chandler may have created the first face jug in 1850 while others feel that African Slaves employed at the potteries created the first face jugs.

The last group of African slaves arrived on the American ship “The Wanderer” in Savannah, GA in 1858 from the Congo, West Africa. The slaves were sent up the Savannah river to work in agriculture and other facilities including pottery.

When not making pottery in the factories it is believed that the slaves were allowed to make wares of their own choosing. Face jugs might have been made to serve as water vessels for in the field, slave grave markers or for ritualistic ceremonies involving root magic. Face Jugs are considered the first examples of African American folk art.

Some researchers believe that face jugs were influenced by the Nkisi figures of Central and Western Congo.

The Nkisi were 19 th century wooden figures used by the tribes inhabiting the Congo. The Nkisi would serve as a container that captures the spirit of the dead and makes it available for the living. They would be used primarily for community problem solving such a disease cure, climate control, reduce political pressure, social competition and favor fertility.

Most slave made face jug pottery is only identifiable by the technique used by its creator since slaves were not allowed to read or write.

An African American slave potter named Dave was the only exception to this rule. Dave was one of the most industrious potters of his day, making large storage jars and was known to sign his name and date many. On some occasions he even wrote poems on some.

The Industrial revolution in the late 1800’s combined with the outlawing of slave labor marked a decline in face jugs and handmade pottery in general. Glass and tin cans proved easier to make then pottery storage vessels.

With utilitarian pottery no longer being a necessity, many potters adapted their shops by moving closer to major highways and creating table wares and novelties that were in demand by the growing southern tourism trade.

Two potters given credit with keeping the old tradition of the southern face jug alive were Catawba Valley Potter, Burlon Craig and Georgia Potter Lanier Meaders. Between them they have produced thousands of face vessels. They were both considered the last of the “old time” potters. Burlon Craig Lanier Meaders

With the emergence of contemporary folk art, many southern potters are researching their regions rich pottery history and resurrecting the once lost traditional southern face jug.

South Carolina Potter, Gary Dexter, has the only pottery shop in the Old Horse Creek area of Aiken County which was formerly the Edgefield District. He still makes utilitarian pottery and face jugs the same way as the old Edgefield potters.

African American potter Jim McDowell still creates 19 th century wares much the same way that his slave ancestors did.

Although the southern face jug’s origin is still questionable, the deep roots of the mysterious face jug and its whimsical expressions still make it a favorite among pottery enthusiasts and collectors of southern folk art even today.