My goal in creating this website is to increase awareness and understanding of this uniquely American vessel type. While there has been at least one article by Ivor Noel Hume in the scholarly ceramics literature on the topic, it is by no means a complete telling of the story and in some ways is somewhat misleading with regard to specifics as to how the jars were sealed and also regarding what type of vessels were used after this early period (he includes wax sealers, etc.). And Brandt Zipp’s chapter on oyster jars in his book on Thomas Commeraw provides a detailed overview of the subject, including pictures of numerous jars (several of which are now in my collection) and the oystermen who used them. However, there is so much more to the story!
My journey began in 2015 when I obtained my first two marked Commeraw jars from Guyana and has continued since that time. From those first two jars I have gathered a collection of over 40 jars in my research collection ranging in date from 1773 to about 1850. These were acquired through auctions, antique shops, or other collectors and I am grateful for the assistance provided by so many individuals who either made these acquisitions possible or alerted me to upcoming sales, or auctions. While I am always looking for a new example to add to the collection, I am just as happy to be made aware of jars so that I can add them to my database. Please contact me if you think you have a jar and want me to see it!
My background and training in science has allowed me to approach the subject with what I hope is an objective and thorough manner. My research has involved countless hours gathering original source materials and collecting hard data on the jars, allowing me to better understand the methods used to produce them, what trends in the NY oyster industry may have influenced their use, and what overall conditions in shipping, trade and war may have affected distribution.
For those interested in planning exhibits, I am happy to share my collection for research and education purposes and have loaned jars to several significant exhibits in public institutions (see below). An upcoming show on the Hudson River at Columbia’s Wallach Art Gallery, opening Fall of 2024 will feature twelve of my jars. If your have interest in planning a future exhibit, do not hesitate to contact me!
In order to refine my thoughts and increase awareness, I have published and lectured on the subject in the archaeological, educational and collecting fields. My latest work includes a fairly detailed chapter in Chipstone’s Ceramics in America which will be published Fall of 2024. Once that article is in press, I will make an PDF available on this site.
