Extremely Rare and Important Small-Sized Redware Jug with Manganese Glaze, Stamped "MRS, HEART. & CO PA," Kate Heart Pottery, Chambersburg, PA, circa 1870-1872, highly ovoid jug with footed base, thick, rounded spout, and rounded handle with pointed lower terminal, the surface covered in a metallic brown lead-and-manganese glaze. Impressed at the shoulder with the oval maker's mark of the widow of J. Milton Heart, son of the more well-known redware potter Jacob Heart. Based on information in William S. Bowers, Craftsmen of Franklin County, Penna.: 1784-1884 (pp. 196-199), J. Milton Heart took up the mantle of his father in the wake of his 1865 death. J. Milton Heart appears in the 1870 federal census as a potter in Chambersburg with his wife, "Catherine" (given as "Kate" in more official documents) and three children, yet shortly after this census was taken (in June of that year) he died at the age of 38. By the following September, his widow, Kate, was advertising that she was operating "The Old Pottery" in partnership with local potter, David Croft. Since according to Bowers the pottery was sold in 1872, it is apparent that for some brief period between 1870 and 1872, Kate Heart was operating the shop under the name of "Mrs. Heart & Co." and having the ware stamped as such. Widows of craftsmen carrying on their husband's businesses in this manner was not uncommon in 19th century America, but the discovery of a signed example of such a business arrangement is extraordinary. (As an example, a highly important redware jar, bearing the incised signature, "Mary Adam," on the underside, resides in the collection of the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts in Winston Salem, North Carolina. As with Heart, Mary Adam of nearby Hagerstown, Maryland, assumed the operation of her husband Henry's pottery upon his death, running the shop from 1819 to 1825.) Mrs. Heart's jug, possibly thrown by Heart herself, serves as an historically significant work of Shenandoah Valley regional ware, highlighting the role of women as entrepreneurs in 19th century America. Only a few pieces bearing her stamp are known. Very nice condition. Glaze loss around foot. A few minor flecks of glaze loss elsewhere. A few glaze flakes to interior of spout. An in-the-firing surface line to top of handle, which does not extend through to handle's underside. H 5 7/8".
