J.D. CRAVEN Salt-Glazed Stoneware Milk Crock 1800s

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Jacob Dorris (J.D.) Craven (1827-1895), according to Quincy Scarborough in his book "The CravenFamily of Southern Folk Potters," was born in Randolph County, North Carolina and buried in Union Grove Baptist Cemetery in Moore County, NC. He was the third son of Anderson Craven, farmer and potter, and father of Daniel Zebedee (D.Z.) Craven who played a major role in the transition from utilitarian to art pottery in North Carolina. According to Scarborough, J.D. Craven trained to turn pottery Manly W. Owen, W.H. Hancock, William H. Chrisco, John Wesley Teague, Bryant Owens, William Henry Luck, and many others. His grandson Grady Craven said that J.D. Craven was "the daddy rabbit of it all." J.D. Craven and his brothers pioneered and popularized the "Craven Fold" strap handles, which quickly replaced the traditional-style jump handle. Thus, pottery with the J.D. Craven stamp was coveted even in the 1800s, greatly increasing the sales of pottery. Today, J.D. Craven stamped pottery is readily collected because of its quality and history, and because of the significance of the Craven potters, especially ("daddy rabbit of it all") J.D. Craven, to North Carolina pottery.Up for bid is a J.D. Craven 1-gallon salt-glazed stoneware milk crock or cream riser probably from the 1860s to 1870s. The crock is expertly potted and is signed with a very clear example of the J.D. Craven impressed stamp (photo 2). Of note is the wide flattened lip (photo 1), the strong potting grooves on the interior of the crock (photos 1 and 8), and the complex curvature to the sides of the crock (photos 3 to 6). The side walls flare out as they rise from the bottom and then curve back to meet the top rim, giving the crock a somewhat ovoid shape. The bottom of the milk crock up for bid shows the loops and radial lines that were produced when a wire loop was used to cut the potted milk crock from the potters wheel (photo 9).The J.D. Craven milk crock holds one gallon, stands 7.5 inches high and 9 inches wide across the rim, and weighs about 2.5 pounds. Milk crocks were used to settle the milk so the butterfat or cream could be poured off from the top. The narrower top portion of the J.D. Craven milk crock, besides being attractive, was most likely designed to have the butterfat form a thicker layer, which was easier to pour off without losing milk. In addition, this being before refrigeration, the milk crock was used to keep the milk cool. The deep, wide-flared construction allowed the crock to be placed in a cool stream; the wide flat rim could support a board or a cloth cover could be tied over the top to protect the milk.The J.D. Craven salt-glazed milk crock up for bid is in excellent condition considering its age and considering that milk crocks were heavily used and when not used were usually stacked on top of one another or thrown together. The salt-glazed milk crock up for bid has a beautifully warm oxidized-brown orange-peel patina that is consistent with its age and heavy use. The J.D. Craven salt-glazed milk crock has no cracks and no repairs. T are small dings around the inner and outer rim consistent with its use. T is a one inch long and 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep chip to the outer rim. The chip is slanted under the rim (photos 6, 7, and 8). The chip appears to be quite old - it is worn smooth and darkened by age. This is an excellent example of a J.D. Craven salt-glazed stoneware milk crock from the 1800s. I guarantee the integrity of the milk crock. If you win the milk crock and it is not as described and in the photos, you may return it for full refund minus shipping (as defined by return policy).The J.D. Craven salt-glazed stoneware milk crock is offered with no reserve and a extremely low starting bid. T will be a $15.50 charge for careful packaging, shipping, and insurance of this beautiful J.D. Craven salt-glazed stoneware milk crock. PayPal, money order and personal check are accepted methods of payment. I will email the winner after the auction. Good luck with bidding!Keywords: North Carolina pottery, s... read more

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