Very old "looking" terra cotta? jug found off Long Island, NY

Ovoid1

Greenie
May 13, 2015
14
10
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Hello All,

I'm new to the site, but you guys came highly recommended. I'm hoping you can help with ID on object.

A friend brought this jug into work today for me to ID and I have no idea what it is and whether it is even authentic.

Two years ago this jug was found buried in sand/mud up to its neck, although it has obviously spent some time just laying on the bottom based on the evidence of growth, in sheltered waters off the East End of Long Island, NY. This is not a spot where one would expect to find a wreck as it is very sheltered from the prevailing direction for seasonal storms and no other debris or objects were found nearby. Basically this jug just rolled into a muddy depression and got buried, exposed and reburied, etc.

I know local colonial and later pottery, but this is obviously not that and it also is not Native American for a number of reasons. Looks to be Mediterranean? This pieces was obviously hand thrown, is very light for its size, no glaze inside or out, thin bodied and was high fired as it almost rings when struck. I do not have a good pic of the base but you can see from the angled profile pics that is it rounded there is no foot, no indication of being thrown on or cut from a wheel or molded. I also do not believe that any of these marks were once there and are now worn off from weathering.

If you look close at some of the pics you can see where shallow grooves where the makers fingers were used to form the body, etc.

Sorry no dimensions. You'll just have to use my hand as a scale.

Can anyone help ID this piece? Place and date of manufacture? Usage?

Thanks!

image1.JPGimage2.JPGimage3.JPGimage4.JPGimage5.JPGimage6.JPG
 

The more I look at it, it appears to be a "Pi-- pot" and there has to be somewhat of a base since in one of the photos its standing upright. So in my opinion, its either a well worn water pitcher or a "Pi-- Pot".
 

Upvote 0
The more I look at it, it appears to be a "Pi-- pot" and there has to be somewhat of a base since in one of the photos its standing upright. So in my opinion, its either a well worn water pitcher or a "Pi-- Pot".

Although I'm not blind to your sarcasm; from a practical point of view it wouldn't hold a liquid very well as it isn't glazed inside... It is sitting in mulch so the round bottom works just fine.
 

Upvote 0
Upvote 0
Hi Hitndahed,

Another forum member suggested I post this here (see the last reply to my previous post). I'm just following this suggestion...
 

Upvote 0
Because the first post was mistakenly placed in Today's finds, and there is a better chance of an ID in this forum. Sorry, can't be of any help on the ID though. Welcome to T-Net.

Thanks BosnMate, I appreciate your explanation, understanding and warm welcome...
 

Upvote 0
a jug like that is hard to throw, at least it is for me and I have some experience with that. So what I am saying is whoever made that and when, knew how to do it and did it a lot. Being that it is utilitarian, plain, unglazed and obviously made for liquid, I would guess that it is more than likely pretty old. As for the circumstance of how and where it was found....a lot of "stuff" is found "out of place" all the time...just read the pages of T-net!
 

Upvote 0

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top