History Of Catawba Valley Area Pottery

The Catawba Valley area of North Carolina includes Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Lincoln, and a few other counties in this region. When migration began to bring new settlers into this region, they were mostly of German descent, and brought many of their traditions with them including the art of pottery making. They also found large deposits of pottery quality clay in the area. A potter must have clay, and these large deposits prompted potters to settle in the immediate area to utilize this resource. These potters built kilns fired with wood in a tunnel or trough lined with brick in the ground. This type of kiln is now known as the groung hog kiln. Most "old timey" potters of the Catawba Valley were trained to make up to a couple hundred pieces a day. These potters are considered production potters, turning as many pieces of pottery as they could every day.

footwarmer ................................spiton.................................................ring jug.............

pottery pieces by MD Flowers

Pottery crocks, churns, and storage jars were used every day by people to store their food over the winter or hold food unitl it was to be used. Preserving food in glass jars was not present at that time, because glass jars had not been made in production. Clay pottery was the primary container used in preserving food and drink until the glass jar. Even after the glass jar was made affordable, many families still used their pottery crocks and churns to make pickles, butter, saurkraut and other food items. Once it was made, it was put into glass jars. So the pottery pieces were still in demand somewhat. Before electric blankets, pioneers would use footwarmers to keep their feet warm during the winter. Men and women used pottery spitons for the disposal of tobacco snuff or chew. During the civil war a woman potter known as Sara Michael made pottery pipes and sold them to soldiers. She is one of only a few independent female potters producing her wares without aid from a husband or male figure. Soldiers would also carry ring jugs to hold their water or wine in while walking to war. A ring jug could also be put over the saddle horn while riding a horse to battle. Buggy jars were used while riding on a wagon . It's short, fat shape made it difficult to tip over while riding on the old pot-holed dirt roads. The rebecca pitcher has ancient links to the Bible with the reference of Rebecca at the well. The rebecca pitcher was produced by the Catawba Indians of North Carolina a little later. Pottery families such as the Cole family of Seagrove, NC have produced this form for generations. Nell Cole Graves was quite known for her graceful interpretation of the rebecca pitcher. Other items such as candle holders, candle sticks, pitchers, plates, bowls, flower pots, and whiskey jugs were made during the course of pottery production.

...................Rebecca pitchers......candle jug...........................candleabra............................................

pottery pieces by MD Flowers

Potters with names such as Seagle , Craven, and Hartzog were the some of the first known potters of thearea. The Reinhardt, Kennedy, Hilton, Weaver, Goodman, Ritchie and Donkel families were early arrivals in the pottery community of Catawba Valley. Potters of the Catawba Valley are still to this day, utilizing their available resources.Woodfired kilns, the green alkaline glaze, and local hand-dug clays, are still present in the pottery produced in the Catawba Valley area. All of these things are more labor intense than what a studio potter may do to make their pottery. A studio potter will most likely use manufactured clay and glazes, and fire their pottery in kilns powered by electricity . A studio pottter will not likely produce many pieces in each turning session.

FACE JUGS : The whiskey jug was widely used during the prohibition era of the 1920's in the US. Local potters were facing a declining need for pottery and the jug boosted production for the local potter. Many tales of the origination of the face jug are told. One such tale states the face jug was made for african american burial totems. Superstious families would place these face jugs at the foot and head of a deceased person to rid evil spirits from the burial site. Another belief on the origination were face jugs were a mere whimsey made while drinking intoxicating "white" liquor, and making pottery at the end of the day. When these jugs made it to the moonshiner to be filled. They were then put on a horse-drawn wagon and transported to the purchaser. These original faces were bought and may have helped the parents to keep small children out of the contents by the scary face on the jug. Their popularirty grew and a demand was started.

MD Flowers Catawba Valley Potter

Catawba Valley pottery of today is almost identical to the traditional Catawba Valley pottery. Perhaps the only difference would be the addition of electrcity to power the potter's wheel. As a Catawba Valley potter, tradition is most important. A dedication to maintain this tradition is reflected in each piece of pottery produced. Burlon Craig was the last potter trained in the traditions of old and he is now accredited with the rejuvenation of Catawba Valley pottery. All of the older potters had died and he was the only potter in the Catawba Valley area practicing these traditions sometime between 1979-1989. Today he has inspired several new additions to the Catawba Vallety tradition. Today's Catawba Valley potters in full time pottery production are Charles Lisk, Steve Abee, Richard Kale, Michelle D Flowers, Kim Ellington, Joe Reinhardt, Garrou, Bolick, Hog Hill Pottery, and Burlon Craig. Several other potters including Roger Hicks, Don Craig, Gary Mitchell, Walter Fleming, Vance Lowery, Dedmond&Crotts, Kathy Richards, Richard Wright, Ron Philbeck, and Hamilton Williams are making pottery in the region.

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