Pottery with a face dates from the earliest times, with examples found in Africa, South America and Europe. In America the term applies to a pottery tradition found in the Southern states. Southern face jugs come from the African tradition of anthropomorphized objects and African American slaves made face jugs while working as potters. White potters based in the Carolinas also made their own versions of these jugs. Sizes and designs varied from large to small, grotesque to the devilish, each face jug with its own whimsy. Many artists signed their pieces and sometimes added a date. Early Southern face jugs fetch strong prices on the secondary market but provenance is essential.
Terracotta jug with lid. Date: Ca. 575-550 B.C. Dimensions: Height with lid: 11 7/16 inches.
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Face Jug. Date: 14th Century, British. Earthenware. Dimensions: 4 3/4 x 2 3/16 x 2 15/16 inches.
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Face Harvest Jug. Unknown Artist. South Carolina. Date: Ca. 1845-1855. Alkaline Glazed Stoneware with Kaolin. Dimensions: 10 1/4 inches. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Face Jug. Unknown Maker. South Carolina. Date: 1870. Alkaline Glazed Stoneware with kaolin. High Museum of Art, Atlanta, Georgia.