Item: Salt glazed Stoneware Crock marked “J.Swann Alex”
Dimensions: Height 12″, Diameter 9″
Maker: John Swann
Location: Alexandria, Virginia
Date: circa 1820
Commentary: John Swann was among the earliest and most important of Alexandria’s potters. In his Alexandria Pottery, Eddie Wilder credits Swann with creating the foundation of the Alexandria pottery style. While little is known of Swann’s origins or later years, Wilder has pieced together a significant amount of material relating to his productive years in Alexandria.
John Swann was apprenticed by the Orphans’ Court to potter Lewis Plum in 1803 and stayed in his employ until 1810 when he opened his own business. Swann seems to have enjoyed some success given that during his first few years he was able to purchase property on Wilkes Street for potting operations and a residence on Gibbon Street. Like many, Swann experienced great difficulties in the financial turmoil that followed the panic of 1819 but was able to survive as an independent business until 1822 when he went bankrupt. Pottery marked “J Swann” is dated to his years of operation prior to 1822.
After his bankruptcy, Swann’s Wilkes Street pottery works were acquired by Alexandria merchant Hugh Smith. Subsequently, pottery produced by Swann and other employees for Smith was marked “Hugh Smith & Co.” Swann quit the business in 1830 and departed Alexandria. Also in 1830, Smith’s son, Hugh C. Smith took over the overall mercantile operations and it is likely that he arranged for Benedict C. Milburn, a former Swann apprentice, to begin managing the pottery at Wilkes Street.
Any marked pottery by Swann is scarce and the majority is undecorated. Most items are of light gray clay and, if they have capacity marks, they are relatively crude.
Condition: Chips to one handle and along base. Hairline crack approximately 4″ extending from rim downward.
Price: Sold
