| Object ID |
1989.63 a |
| Object Name |
Statue |
| Dimensions |
H-120 Dia-30.25 inches |
| Early Date |
1851 |
| Late Date |
1853 |
| Made By |
United States Pottery Company |
| Description |
In 1832, Christopher Webber Fenton (1806-1865), of an old family in Dorset, Vermont, married Louisa Norton of Bennington's well-known pottery family. After several years of involvement with the pottery, Fenton entered a brief partnership with his wife's brother, Julius in 1844 and 1845, manufacturing "Every Description of STONEWARE." While Julius Norton was dedicated to producing the more traditional, wheel-thrown, utilitarian, salt-glazed crockery that his family was famous for, Fenton was eager to mold the more ornamental glazed forms of yellowware. These ceramics had become popular in England and the United States, and were already being manufactured by potteries in South Amboy and Jersey City, New Jersey.
In 1847, Fenton broke off from Julius Norton and began producing, independently, Rockingham and flint enamel ceramics together with "white flint ware, earthen, and china." The United States Pottery Company, incorporated in 1853, was modeled after the huge yellowware manufactures in England. The Pottery became the largest and most successful yellowware producer in New England, and by 1858, employed over 150 workers.
In 1853, Fenton had an opportunity to exhibit his ceramics in New York City at the Crystal Palace Exhibition of America's first World's Fair. In a dramatic display, Fenton advertised the diversity of both utilitarian and ornamental wares produced by the pottery. The Monument illustrated here was the focal point of Fenton's exhibit and is made in four sections, illustrating a variety of clays and glazes: the base was of scroddled ware, or mixed clays, resembling variegated marble; the second section was of yellowware showing Fenton's famous flint enamel glaze as well as Rockingham glaze; the third section featured a parian bust of Fenton (not shown in this photograph) surrounded by corinthian columns of scroddled ware with flint enamel glaze. Finally, the monument was crowned with a parian statue of a woman, draped in robes, who held a Bible toward the child in her arms.
Fenton's display received rave reviews. Horace Greeley of the New York Tribune stated, "In the United States Department is an exhibition which is well worth the observation by all who delight in the progress of American art and skill . . ." and Gleason's Pictorial (published in Boston) featured the Pottery's display with a front page article and full page illustration. The favorable publicity drawn by the exhibit prompted many orders and was followed by a short-lived period of prosperity and expansion. Sadly, by 1855, Fenton was in financial trouble and although the Pottery had an established reputation and more orders than it could produce, it was forced to close its doors in 1858.
Following the exhibition, the Monument stood for over 100 years on the porch of a two-family home owned by Judge Luman Norton and his son-in-law, Christopher Webber Fenton. In 1897, the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art (known for its fine American pottery collection), attempted to acquire the Monument. However, they were unsuccessful and the Monument remained in Bennington. In 1968, it was given to the Museum where it is an impressive reminder of the United States Pottery's commanding position in the ceramic industry during the 19th century. |
| Credit |
Gift of Mrs. Mary N. Fillmore in memory of her husband Major D. Fillmore |
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