Objects - Ceramics and Glass
Vermont has a robust history of creating both ceramics and glass wares. The collection features both Vermont-made objects and pieces that have a history of being used in Vermont.
Search This Category
Spittoon
Name/Title
Spittoon
Entry/Object ID
1945.45
Description
Rectangular spittoon with flared top and molded designs. The molded designs are architectural, featuring columns at the corners and gothic windows on the sides. The top slopes inward to a circular opening, and another semi-circular opening is on one of the short sides. The bottom is impressed with the makers mark, "Ba[illeg]/Burlington, Vt." The surface is decorated with a very slightly striated brown glaze.
Use
Used as a receptacle to spit into. The side hole was for draining the spit.
Context
Made in Burlington, Vermont
Acquisition
Accession
1945.45
Made/Created
Time Period
19th Century
Lexicon
Dimensions
Dimension Description
Overall
Materials
Material
Ceramic
Spittoon
Name/Title
Spittoon
Entry/Object ID
1954.36.1
Description
Round ceramic spittoon. The spittoon is unglazed and decorated with a dark, splattered ceramic that retains definition, causing a raised effect. The spittoon sloped down at the top to a central hole, and the sloped section is fluted. There is a round drainage hole on one end.
Use
Used as a receptacle to spit into. The side hole was for draining the spit.
Acquisition
Accession
1954.36
Lexicon
Dimensions
Spittoon
Name/Title
Spittoon
Entry/Object ID
1957.1.54
Description
Rockingham glazed ceramic spittoon. The round spittoon flares outward toward the top, and the center sloped downward to a round center hole. There is a semi-circular hole for drainage. The bottom marked, "United States Pottery Company.
Use
Used as a receptacle to spit into. The side hole was for draining the spit.
Context
Made by The United States Pottery Company in Bennington, Vermont
Acquisition
Accession
1957.1
Made/Created
Manufacturer
United States Pottery Company
Date made
1852-1858
Lexicon
Dimensions
Materials
Material
Earthenware
Spittoon
Name/Title
Spittoon
Entry/Object ID
1957.1.52
Description
Ceramic spittoon with mottled brown glaze. The body of the spittoon is concave around the exterior, and the top slopes downward to a circular hole. One side has an oval drainage hole.
Use
Used as a receptacle to spit into. The side hole was for draining the spit.
Context
Made in Bennington, Vermont
Acquisition
Accession
1957.1
Made/Created
Time Period
19th Century
Lexicon
Dimensions
Dimension Description
Overall
Materials
Material
Ceramic
Spittoon
Name/Title
Spittoon
Entry/Object ID
1957.1.55
Description
Ceramic spittoon with mottled brown glaze. The body of the spittoon is concave around the exterior, and the top slopes downward to a circular hole. One side has an oval drainage hole. The bottom is impressed with the label, "Lyman Fenton & Co."
Context
Made by Lyman, Fenton & Co. in Bennington, Vermont
Acquisition
Accession
1957.1
Made/Created
Manufacturer
Lyman, Fenton & Company
Time Period
19th Century
Lexicon
Dimensions
Dimension Description
Overall
Materials
Material
Ceramic
Spittoon
Interpretative Labels
Label
Spittoon, 1853
United States Pottery Company (1847-1858)
Bennington, Vermont
Scroddled (mixed) earthenware
Bequest of Harold G. Rugg, #1957.1.57
Though pottery was produced throughout Vermont, the most famous firms were located in Bennington and are collectively known as "Bennington Pottery." The Norton family started making earthenware pottery in Bennington at the end of the 18th century. Soon the family expanded to stoneware, the gray jugs and storage vessels you see here. Stoneware, the all-purpose storage of the day, was a very lucrative business and only went out of style as glass canning jars and later tin cans became cheaper and more prevalent. Stoneware labeled "Bennington" and "Norton" was produced into the early 20th century.
In the mid-19th century, the Fenton family joined with the Nortons and produced fancy glazed pottery, often red, brown, and yellow though found in other colors, meant to rival identical designs imported from England. Called the United States Pottery Company, this firm had the honor of representing American pottery manufacturers at the 1853 Crystal Palace Exposition in New York, often referred to as the second World's Fair.
Name/Title
Spittoon
Entry/Object ID
1957.1.57
Description
Agateware (scroddled) ceramic spittoon. The piece has a marbled pattern of white, orange, and brown achieved through incompletely mixing various colored clays. The body of the spittoon is concave around the exterior and molded into triangular facets. The top slopes downward to a circular hole. One side has an triangular drainage hole. The bottom is lightly impressed with the label, "United States Pottery Co. Bennington, Vt."
Use
Used as a receptacle for tobacco juice (spit). The side hole was for draining the spit.
Context
Made by The United States Pottery Co. in Bennington, Vermont
Acquisition
Accession
1957.1
Made/Created
Manufacturer
United States Pottery Company
Date made
1853
Lexicon
Dimensions
Dimension Description
Overall
Materials
Material
Ceramic
Spittoon
Name/Title
Spittoon
Entry/Object ID
1959.23.18
Description
Ceramic spittoon with mottled brown glaze. The body of the spittoon is concave around the exterior, and the top slopes downward to a circular hole. One side has an oval drainage hole. The bottom is impressed with the label, "Lyman Fenton & Co."
Use
Used as a receptacle to spit into. The side hole was for draining the spit.
Context
Made by Lyman, Fenton & Co. in Bennington, Vermont
Acquisition
Accession
1959.23
Made/Created
Manufacturer
Lyman, Fenton & Company
Date made
1849-1852
Lexicon
Dimensions
Dimension Description
Overall
Materials
Material
Earthenware
