Stoneware Spirit Barrel

Two large fragments of the bottom and sidewall of a brown ceramic barrel on a white background. The pale buff inside of the barrel is visible and is covered in smears of black dirt.

Identification

  • Object Type: Ceramic spirit barrel
  • Date: circa. 1800s
  • Origin: Unkown
  • Owner: Private
  • Maker: Unknown
  • Measurements:
    • 30 x Ø 27cm (widest point) x 1 cm
  • Materials: Stoneware ceramic, cork, boxwood  

Summary

A large stonenware ceramic barrel likely produced in the nineteenth century, or during the revival of Victoriana and hand production circa the 1970s. 

The barrel had no maker’s mark and although spirit barrels were originally mass produced for the storage of spirits in pubs, the groves spiralling upwards inside the barrel suggest that it was hand-pulled on potter’s wheel and produced by a skilled craftsperson. The uniquely mottled appearance of the salt glaze technique has also made it an aesthetically interesting and valued object to contemporary collectors. 

Behind the Scenes

Two large fragments of the bottom and sidewall of a brown ceramic barrel on a white background. The pale buff inside of the barrel is visible and is covered in smears of black dirt.
Two large fragments of the spirit barrel prior to conservation treatment.
A pale wood spigot on a black background.
Wooden spigot before assembly. 
Eleven brown ceramic shards with horizontal burgundy bands arranged in a square on a black background.
Fragments before assembly.
A view of the inside sidewall of two fragments of the ceramic barrel placed in their original positions side-by-side during cleaning. The fragment on the left has been steamed cleaned and appears pale buff, the fragment on the right has not been cleaned and is a dark grey colour covered in black and brown dirt.
Before (right) and after (left) steam cleaning.
A large fragment of the sidewall and bottom of the ceramic barrel during treatment to adhere a running crack on the top of the fragment. There is a small clamp on the top of the fragment aligning the crack edges, and a second large clamp squeezing the crack together. The large clamp is brassed with a vertical piece of wood that is held in place with nitril gloves filled with sand.
Aligning and adhering the fragments.
Fragments of the burgundy banded, mottled orange ceramic barrel assembled on a bench test assembled. The fragments are held together with numerous pieces of frosted tape that cross break-edge joins. In the centre of the barrel there are missing pieces from which the breaks spread outwards.
Ceramic barrel assembled, the fragments held together using tape.

The conservator who treated this object is Dafydd, click on the profile to learn more.

Note: All images were taken by the conservator unless stated otherwise.

Dafydd, a white man in his late thirties with long brown and grey hair. He is looking to his right, smiling and inclined slightly forward. He is wearing a dark coat over a light sweater and is holding a pair of reading and sunglasses. The photo is in black and white.

Related Objects

Click the image to learn more.

Decorative Artefacts Collection

A side by side image of the front and back of a shattered polychrome sheet of glass that depicts an infant St John in white robes leaning over the lap of a young seated St Elizabeth, robed in gold and blue, and is receiving an olive branch on a platter from and elderly St Zachariah, robed in green and red. The three figures are outside, there is a tree to their right, and mountain behind them. The fragments of glass are arranged in their correct position but with visible space between them.
Reverse Glass Mezzotint
A plaster-of-paris Nativity figure of Joseph, wearing a yellow robe and purple cloak on a black base. He is kneeling and looking down with his right arm extended. The figure is coated in a glossy varnish which is visibly yellowing. There is a break around the neck and several chips in the body.
Nativity Figure: Joseph
A pair of pale cream ceramic lamp bases, with varying intricate details, placed in a lab setting. On the left is a more rounded shape, decorated with a pair of mermaid figures, while the right is thinner and holds a pair of griffins.
Ceramic Lamps