Accession Number

1986.008.0844

Alternate object names

Jug

Creation Date

circa 1620

Description

An earthenware pitcher from the 1622 galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha reflects the simple elegance of Spanish-colonial shipboard tableware. This tin-glazed vessel, just over 18 centimeters tall, was most likely made somewhere around Seville.

Exhibition Label

Case Caption (2023):

HOUSEHOLD CERAMICS

Pottery in all its forms was made throughout South America since pre-historic times. It was often painted or decorated with incised designs, but glazing was unknown. Archaeological evidence indicates that Indigenous potters adopted glazing from European artisans once they learned the process. They also freely adapted European designs for their own ceramics while producing dinnerware and other basic forms useful to the colonists.

Most of the ceramics found on the 1622 fleet were made in Spain. However, in the colonies, Panama became particularly known for its production of majolica (tin-glazed ceramics), and there was also a major pottery in Lima.
Object Caption (2023):

Pitcher
Majolica (c.1620)
Gift of Jamestown Inc.
1986.008.0844