Name/TitleBeer jar
About this objectEarthenware jar made for the storage of beer, etc.
Richard Hall, Research Volunteer:
This two-gallon storage jar was made by Pearson of Chesterfield in Derbyshire.
Pearson Potteries began life in 1800 when it was established, at Whittington Moor, by Joseph and Catherine Pearson, advertising itself as ‘manufacturers of valuable fine ware pottery’. It appears to have had a relatively difficult period in the 19th Century, during which time the family argued over an inheritance, causing the pottery business to be sold in 1810. The business was bought by William Johnson, who ran it, alongside members of the original Pearson family, successfully until his death in 1838.
The Pearson family, continued to act in a litigious way, and Rhodes lists several High Court cases involving factions within the family, ultimately leading in 1884, to one brother (James Pearson) setting up his own Pottery business ‘London Pottery’, in nearby Brampton, specialising in earthenware filters and purifiers. The businesses continued successfully, growing, acquiring, smaller potteries, land and the coal mines to fuel the potteries, which somehow managed to function as a group.
Working in the potteries was a hazardous business for employees. Several accidents were recorded in the local press where employees were maimed or killed. For employees too, working conditions and pay, seem to have been a constant concern.
Pearson Potteries was to survive well into the 20th Century, before it finally closed its doors in 1994.
As we know, the jar is marked up with the customer’s name, G.F. Keysell. Keysell, no longer exists, but appear to have been wine and spirit importers and merchants whose business was in in Ludlow.
I came across a single mention of them in the history of the Wine Merchants, Tanners. From their account, it seems that G.F. Keysell and Co, who were established in 1780, were bought out by William Pulling and Co. However, they continued to trade under the Keysell name in Ludlow, indicating that the name was well respected by their customer base. William Pulling, were themselves bought in 1978 by Tanners and consequently the Keysell name has been lost and we may never know, what they supplied in our jar.
MakerPearson
Place MadeChesterfield
Medium and MaterialsEarthenware
Inscription and MarksStamped on the shoulder: G.F. KEYSELL
WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANT
LUDLOW
2 GALL.
Also stamped: PEARSON, CHESTERFIELD
MeasurementsHeight: 1 foot 3 inches
Diameter at shoulder: 9 inches
Diameter at base: 8 inches
Object Typejar
Object numberSTMEA:A.954
Copyright LicenceAttribution - Non-commercial (cc)