Barrell Family pitcher
Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Item 9993
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Ceramic pitcher made for the Barrell family around 1804 by an English ceramic works. This is one of twin pitchers that may have served as wedding gifts to the two daughters, Sally Sayward Barrell Keating Wood (1759-1855) and Ruth Barrell Sewall Arnold (1765-1848). Two scenes appear on either side of the pitcher to commemorate the life and moral philosophy of the family. One appears to show father Barrell with his three sons and mother Barrell with her six daughters. The inscription reads,
"Here books and work employ each moments time,
Unconscious both of folly or of crime
The wise directions of parental love
Rout out each vice and every month improve."
The scene on the side shown includes a young sailor embracing his love with a ship in the background, and to the side is an older couple near their home, It, and the verses that go with it, are meant to remind us that a new marriage means both independence and a fear of separation,
"While married love its varied days impart
Still anxious wishes fill a daughter's heart
And though to gayer scenes she now may rove
Her mind oft hovers around her native grove."
Other Information
- Title: Barrell Family pitcher
- Creation Date: circa 1804
- Subject Date: circa 1804
- Town: York
- County: York
- State: ME
- Media: Ceramic
- Dimensions (cm): 28 x 30
- Local Code: 2003.176
- Object Type: Physical Object
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society
489 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822
http://www.mainehistory.org
Cross Reference Searches
LC Subject Headings
Pitchers
Authors, Maine
Authors, American
Barrell, Nathaniel, 1731-1831
Wood, Sally Sayward Barrell Keating, 1759-1855
Barrell Family
Arnold, Ruth Barrell Sewall, 1765-1848
Barrell, Sally Sayward, 1737-1805
People
Wood, Sally Sayward
Barrell, Nathaniel
Barrell, Sally Sayward
Arnold, Ruth Barrell
Other Keywords
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