Religion

One hallmark of the American experience captured in the Museum's collections is the nation's broad diversity of religious faiths. Artifacts range from Thomas Jefferson's Bible to a huge "Sunstone" sculpture carved for a Mormon temple in Illinois in 1844 to a household shrine from the home of a Pueblo Indian in the 1990s. Furniture, musical instruments, clothing, cooking ware, and thousands of prints and figures in the collections have all played roles in the religious lives of Americans. The most comprehensive collections include artifacts from Jewish and Christian European Americans, Catholic Latinos, Protestant Arab Americans, Buddhist and Christian Asian Pacific Americans, and Protestant African Americans. One notable group is the Vidal Collection of carved figures known as santos and other folk religious material from the practice of Santeria in Puerto Rico.

This large alkaline-glazed stoneware jar was made in 1862 by David Drake, an enslaved black potter working on Lewis Miles’ plantation pottery in the Edgefield District of South Carolina.
Description
This large alkaline-glazed stoneware jar was made in 1862 by David Drake, an enslaved black potter working on Lewis Miles’ plantation pottery in the Edgefield District of South Carolina. In a state that outlawed literacy among people who were enslaved, Dave defiantly proclaimed his ability to read and write by signing his name and sometimes inscribing poetry on the stoneware vessels he made.
One of the most distinctive aspects of ante-bellum Edgefield was the presence of a large number of skilled people who were enslaved working as potters. Edgefield was one of only two areas in the United States known to have relied heavily on enslaved labor to manufacture utilitarian stoneware in large-scale potteries. Edgefield potteries furnished the large local plantations with the vessels needed for the preparation and storage of food for the planters and for the thousands of enslaved people working as agricultural and skilled laborers.
While some of the enslaved people performed unskilled jobs in the potteries—such as digging and preparing clay and loading kilns—most were “turners,” performing the highly skilled work of forming ware on a potter’s wheel. At least 40 enslaved potters and pottery laborers are known to have worked in potteries in Edgefield between about 1815 and 1880. Some scholars believe over a hundred more may some day be identified.
David Drake is the only enslaved potter known to have signed and dated his work. He was educated by his first enslaver, stoneware maker and newspaper editor Abner Landrum, and may have worked at Landrum’s newspaper, the Edgefield Hive, as a typesetter. When Landrum left the Edgefield area in 1831, Dave was sold to Lewis Miles, another large-scale pottery owner.
Dave was a master potter, regularly producing massive storage jars and jugs that required enormous skill and strength. About twenty surviving Dave pieces are inscribed with Dave’s original two line poems—wonderful and sometimes cryptic ruminations on topics as diverse as pots, love, money, spirituality, life as a slave, and the afterlife. The poems reflect Dave’s intelligence, creativity, and wit.
The poem on this jar, “I made this jar all of cross, If you don[’]t repent you will be lost,” may be a reference to the Bible, Acts 2: 14-42, Peter’s speech at Pentecost in the temple of Herod at Jerusalem. This jar, the last known poem piece, emphasizes the importance of religion and the afterlife in the daily life of many slaves. John Michael Vlach highlights this jar in The Afro-American Tradition in Decorative Arts, conjecturing that its “highly poignant verse” reflects "Dave’s combined feelings about slavery and religion.” On the reverse side, the jar is inscribed “May 3, 1862/ LM Dave.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1862-05-03
maker
Drake, David
ID Number
1996.0344.01
catalog number
1996.0344.01
accession number
1996.0344
This albarello has a yellow baroque shield framing the image of a saint. In the saint’s left hand is a cross and a palm frond. In his right hand the saint is holding the leash of a dog (possibly a lamb).
Description
This albarello has a yellow baroque shield framing the image of a saint. In the saint’s left hand is a cross and a palm frond. In his right hand the saint is holding the leash of a dog (possibly a lamb). The palm frond symbolizes the saint was a martyr, and the inclusion of the dog or lamb points to a variety of saints associated with healing and animals including Saint Roch, Saint Hubert of Liege, Saint Catherine of Siena, or Saint Agnes.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0572
catalog number
M-05784
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 496
catalog number
1991.0664.0572
This cylindrical tin-glazed apothecary jar with a straight wall and a flat shoulder is divided into three sections depicting different religious scenes. One section portrays Saint Jerome dressed in magnesium colored robes praying before a cross, and human skull mounted on rocks.
Description (Brief)
This cylindrical tin-glazed apothecary jar with a straight wall and a flat shoulder is divided into three sections depicting different religious scenes. One section portrays Saint Jerome dressed in magnesium colored robes praying before a cross, and human skull mounted on rocks. In the second section Saint Jerome again? is seen with angles peering down from the heavens. The saint in kneeling before a table covered with a green cloth. Behind him is a balustrade with a vase of flowers. The third section depicts Mary and Joseph walking with Jesus as a little boy. Each section is divided by yellow and blue vertical bands and green leaves. Above the shoulder are several bands of interconnecting scroll designs.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1625 - 1675
ID Number
1991.0664.0524
catalog number
M-05736
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 448
This bulbous drug jar has a long neck and flared foot. The white tin glazed background is decorated with a cobalt blue cartouche created by C scrolls, swags, and the head of an angel.
Description
This bulbous drug jar has a long neck and flared foot. The white tin glazed background is decorated with a cobalt blue cartouche created by C scrolls, swags, and the head of an angel. Atop the cartouche are two angels flanking the mark, “IHS” with a cross above the H and three nails below.
The center of the cartouche is marked, “A: HYSSOPI:.” Hyssop is a plant native to the Mediterranean and is used as an expectorant, and a stimulant, and for pulmonary disorders. Hyssop was often administered as an infusion or tea.
Apothecary jars were produced in many towns and cities throughout the Netherlands. The Dutch containers in the Bristol Myers Squibb Collection are decorated with cobalt blue over a white tin glaze. Among the most common decorative motifs found on Dutch apothecary jars are peacocks, stags and angels.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1991.0664.0835
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-06047
collector/donor number
SAP 759
catalog number
1991.0664.0835
This blown glass urn-shaped drug jar has a long neck and applied foot. Containers of this shape were called "noennchen" or, little nuns. The white circular baked enamel label is surrounded by a blue border with a bow at the top. The label reads OL RUTHAE in black text.
Description
This blown glass urn-shaped drug jar has a long neck and applied foot. Containers of this shape were called "noennchen" or, little nuns. The white circular baked enamel label is surrounded by a blue border with a bow at the top. The label reads OL RUTHAE in black text. The jar would have contained Oil of Rue, which was oil from the common rue plant (also known as Herb-of-Grace) which was prescribed for its antimicrobial properties and as an abortifactant.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th-19th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0403
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05552
collector/donor number
SAP 264
catalog number
1991.0664.0403
This yellow, cobalt blue and green waisted drug jar has an oval medallion with a white robed saint is surrounded by foiliage and bands of geometric designs at the shoulders.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This yellow, cobalt blue and green waisted drug jar has an oval medallion with a white robed saint is surrounded by foiliage and bands of geometric designs at the shoulders.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1600
ID Number
1991.0664.0547
catalog number
M-05759
accession number
1991.0664
collector/donor number
SAP 471
catalog number
1991.0664.0547
This albarello has a flared foot and is painted with decorative blue, yellow, and green flowers, and leaves and vines. In the center of the jar is a portrait of the Madonna holding the infant Jesus. Mary wears a gold dress with blue mantle and a gold crown on her head.
Description
This albarello has a flared foot and is painted with decorative blue, yellow, and green flowers, and leaves and vines. In the center of the jar is a portrait of the Madonna holding the infant Jesus. Mary wears a gold dress with blue mantle and a gold crown on her head. In her left hand Mary holds two cords attached to two squares. Just below Mary are the heads of three females engulfed in the flames of hell. George Urdang attributes this jar to 18th–century Castelli.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0571
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05783
collector/donor number
SAP 495
catalog number
1991.0664.0571
This 18th century pitcher from Pesaro, Italy, has a pinched spout and an applied strap handle with a green glaze. The bottom of the pitcher is marked"T. M.
Description
This 18th century pitcher from Pesaro, Italy, has a pinched spout and an applied strap handle with a green glaze. The bottom of the pitcher is marked"T. M. The image on the jar depicts the Biblical story of the Annunciation, when the Archangel Gabriel told the Virgin Mary she was to give birth to Jesus.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0581
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05793
collector/donor number
SAP 505
catalog number
1991.0664.0581
This ovoid drug jar has a grayish white glazed background. In the center of the jar is a blue wreath circling a brown double-headed eagle. Above the bird's heads is a brown crown and scepter with two blue hands extending downwards from the bottom of the crown.
Description
This ovoid drug jar has a grayish white glazed background. In the center of the jar is a blue wreath circling a brown double-headed eagle. Above the bird's heads is a brown crown and scepter with two blue hands extending downwards from the bottom of the crown. An oval shield in the center of the eagle has a blue intersecting key and feather. The foot of the bird on the left clutches a sword. Above the wreath is a blue escrol which has been left blank. An illegible paper label is on the back of the jar. George Urdang attributes this jar to 18th-century Nuremberg and the St. Emeran Episcopal Court Pharmacy.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0723
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05935
collector/donor number
SAP 647
catalog number
1991.0664.0723
This square blown and molded glass jar has a flared circular collar with a wooden and cork lid. The container is decorated with a baked white enamel cartouche framed by stylized blue leaves and red and yellow flowers . It is marked CIN JOVIS.
Description
This square blown and molded glass jar has a flared circular collar with a wooden and cork lid. The container is decorated with a baked white enamel cartouche framed by stylized blue leaves and red and yellow flowers . It is marked CIN JOVIS. According to George Urdang, author of The Squibb Ancient Pharmacy Catalogue this bottle was made in the last third of the 18th century.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
1991.0664.0200
accession number
1991.0664
catalog number
M-05348
1991.0664.0200.01
1991.0664.0200.02
collector/donor number
SAP 57
This tall urn-shaped drug jar has a grayish-white glaze, straight neck and a round, domed-shaped foot and finial. At the center of the container is a label, created by brown, yellow and green lines.
Description
This tall urn-shaped drug jar has a grayish-white glaze, straight neck and a round, domed-shaped foot and finial. At the center of the container is a label, created by brown, yellow and green lines. The frame is surrounded at the top by a yellow and green vine and swags of beads and is marked Sem.Anis.et. Coriandr
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
18th Century
ID Number
1991.0664.0561
catalog number
1991.0664.0561.01
1991.0664.0561.02
collector/donor number
SAP 485
catalog number
M-05773
accession number
1991.0664

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