2 Gallon Stoneware Jug with Cobalt Decoration
M. Crafts, Whately, Mass.

In Whately, Massachusetts, the pottery trade was carried on from 1778 or earlier to 1861.  According to Lura Woodside Watkins in Early New England Potters and their Wares, twenty one native-born potters who worked in Whately are known.  Of this number, ten were members of the Crafts family. When Thomas Crafts, the master potter of Whately began pot making he produced Redware. His stoneware business began in 1833 and continued under his management until 1848, employing his two brothers, three sons and nephews who worked with him at various times over the years.

Thomas Crafts' oldest son Martin (b.1807) worked with his father until 1834 when he left to run potteries in Portland and Nashua.  In the 1850's he was a stoneware merchant in Boston until 1857 when he returned to Whately and operated the Thomas Crafts pottery until its close. This 2 gallon stoneware jug stands 15 inches high and is marked M. Crafts -Whately and is most likely from the latter period.  It is in very fine condition with even color and bright blue colbalt decoration.

R16F24575
006

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