Pitcher, ca. 1840-50
Possibly by the Sables Pottery, Medford, Massachusetts
Stoneware with "Rockingham" style glaze
Lent by the Chipstone Foundation
Toussaint L’Ouverture was a former slave in Haiti who, through his leadership
of a slave revolt, became Assistant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the
island. An 1805 description of Toussaint captures his powerful persona: "Every
part of his conduct was marked by judgment and benevolence... In person, Toussaint
was of a manly form, above the middle stature, with a countenance bold and
striking, yet full of the most prepossessing suavity—terrible to an enemy,
but inviting to the objects of his friendship or his love."
Toussaint’s preference for military-style attire only enhanced his reputation:
"His uniform was a kind of blue jacket, with a large red cape falling
over his shoulders; red cuffs, with eight rows of lace on the arms, and a
pair of large gold epaulettes thrown back; scarlet waistcoat and pantaloons,
with half boots; round hat with a red feather, and a national cockade; these,
with an extremely large sword, formed his equipment." In the ceramic
portrait pitcher shown here, Toussaint is shown in a stylized tri-corner hat
complete with ornamental trim and a central feather.
