Johanna Brown
A Recently Discovered Moravian Turtle Bottle

Ceramics in America 2010

Full Article
Contents
  • Figure 1
    Figure 1

    Turtle bottle, Salem, North Carolina, 1800–1820. Lead-glazed earthenware. L. 8 1/2". (Courtesy, Old Salem Museum & Gardens; unless otherwise noted, photos by Gavin Ashworth.) Rudolph Christ, the second master potter of the Moravian settlement at Salem, North Carolina, began making press-molded figural bottles about 1800, the year “turtles,” first appear on the annual pottery inventory.

  • Figure 2
    Figure 2

    Turtle bottle, Salem, North Carolina, 1800–1850. Lead-glazed earthenware. L. 7 1/4". (Courtesy, Wachovia Historical Society.)

  • Figure 3
    Figure 3

    Detail of the back of the bottle illustrated in fig. 1.

  • Figure 4
    Figure 4

    Detail of the bottom of the bottle illustrated in fig. 1. 

  • Figure 5
    Figure 5

    Turtle bottle, Salem, North Carolina, 1800–1820. Lead-glazed earthenware. L. 8 1/2". (Private collection.)