Past Imperfect, The Art of Inventive Repair

When I found this large and very heavy American stoneware pottery wine jug in Maine, I was unable to pack it properly and take it with me on my flight back home later that day. Luckily, one of the friends I was visiting was a pilot and simply brought it on board his flight to New York the next day. The triangular remains of the broken clay handle leaves a distinctive maker’s mark

It would have been awkward to lift this 18-1/2″ tall jug with the absence of its handle, especially when full of wine. Rather than trying to replace the broken handle, a sturdy iron band with swing handle was attached to the jug

A close up of the iron strap and handle shows the work of the local ironsmith who made this East coast jug more functional

The small hole at the bottom is where a wooden spigot would have been inserted to dispense the wine

A similar jug shows what the applied handle would have looked like

Photo courtesy of Prock’s Crocks

American brown glazed stoneware bean pot with lid, measures 5-1/2″ high and is 8-1/2″ wide from handle to handle.

A mismatched lid from another piece has been “married” to this pot.

The lid has an incised number “2” on the top right edge.

This was most likely made in Ohio or Pennsylvania in the late 1800’s.

When the single applied stoneware handle broke off, twin metal handles and straps were attached to “improve” upon the original design. The small, lightweight handles are out scale with the heavy pot and have become misshapen from use.

A metal support strap around the top has a bolt and nut to insure a tight fit.

This pot still has its original single handle.

Photo courtesy of Cyber Attic