Mug

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Extending from Pennsylvania to Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley was a prime area for ceramic production due to its abundance of red clays. Made in Strasburg, Virginia, this mug is part of a rich history of pottery in the region; the Bell family of potters originated in the late eighteenth century. S. Bell and Sons was a maker of both stoneware and earthenware. On this mug, manganese and copper glazes produced green and brown mottled shades, which gave Shenandoah Valley pottery its distinctive aesthetic.

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