Unsigned Milwaukee Jar Bottom

These were made by an unknown potter, probably in Milwaukee. They are fairly plentiful and are found regularly in Milwaukee outhouses by diggers and at Milwaukee dump sites. They stand 5" tall and 4" in diameter at the top. They are earthenware dipped in glaze with an unglazed outside bottom. The glaze varies wildly with almost no two being exactly alike. Glaze colors vary from browns to yellow, with lots of specks and imperfections. The jars were probably used for product, and because they were inexpensive were re-used. There is one with an original paper label showing it to contail jam from a Milwaukee company, probably in the 1870's or 1880's. It was probably sealed with a cork or some other type of non-clay lid as no matching clay lid have been found.