Gallery

  • Decker Pottery

The Decker Pottery

Small decorated pitcher incised A Present and Made by C. F. Decker Nov 26th 1898. ai1.

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A lidded sugar jar. ai10.

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Handle view of lidded sugar jar. ai10a.

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Side view of a small decorated pitcher. ai11.

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Cobalt dots and band decorate a lighthouse-shaped pitcher. ai12.

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Cobalt decorated flower pot with a pie crust shaped rim. ai13.

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Flowerpot detail 1. ai13a.

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Detail view of cobalt decorated flower pot with a pie crust shaped rim. ai13c.

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Side view of A Present pitcher. ai14.

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Incised decorated pitcher with the initials F.D.H. aiI5.

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Decorated presentation ring bottle. ai16.

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Ring bottle detail. ai16a.

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Detail of the top of the ring bottle. ai17.

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Detail of the base incised inscription Samuel Davault. ai18.

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Detail of the base incised date June 25, 1896. ai19.

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Detail of the top. ai19b.

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A Present pitcher and jug with dot and line decoration. ai2.

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This jar, considered by many to be Charles Decker, Sr.’s masterpiece, is dated Sep. 16, 1884 and is 26 inches high and 55 inches in diameter. It won blue ribbons at regional fairs and served to advertise Decker pottery. ai20.

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The bottom of A Present pitcher signed in script. ai21.

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Cobalt decorated flower pot with crimped rim. ai22.

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Small slip covered crock. ai23.

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Small jug decorated with cobalt dots and lines. ai24.

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Detail of decorated jug 1. ai24a.

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View of handle on small decorated jug. ai25.

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Small dark slip covered jug. ai26.

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Two small jars of similar form. ai27.

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Top view of small decorated jug. ai28.

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Detail of decorated jug 2. ai28a.

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Small lighthouse-shaped decorated pitcher. ai29.

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Five gallon tulip decorated churn. ai3.

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Three gallon decorated jar. ai30.

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Handle of 3 gallon jar. ai30a.

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Jar detail 1. ai30b.

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Jar detail 2. ai30c.

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Slip covered pitcher with wavy line decoration. ai31.

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Small pitchers with similar forms but different decorations. ai32.

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Large Decker pitcher. ai33.

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Large pitcher detail. ai33a.

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Two small Decker pots. ai34.

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Medium sized Decker pitcher. ai35.

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Medium sized Decker pitcher and a small jar. ai35a.

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Handle view of Decker pitcher. ai35b.

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Pair of Decker flower pots which descended in the family. ai36.

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Another view of dot and line decorated Decker jug. ai37.

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Handle view of A Present Decker pitcher. ai38.

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A Present pitcher detail 1. ai38a.

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Small cobalt covered pitcher dated 1906. ai39.

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1906 pitcher. ai39a.

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Handle view small 1906 pitcher. ai39b.

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Churn detail. ai3a.

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Another view of A Present pitcher. ai4.

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Inkstand detail 3. ai40a.

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Inkstand detail 1. ai40b.

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Inkstand detail 2. ai40c.

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Inkstand detail 6. ai40d.

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Inkstand detail 4. ai40e.

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Inkstand detail 7. ai40f.

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Inkstand detail 5. ai40g.

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Inkstand detail 5c. ai40h.

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Inkstand detail 8. ai40i.

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A Present pitcher detail 2. ai4a.

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Small tulip and dot decorated pitcher. ai5.

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A Present pitcher beside a large decorated pitcher. ai6.

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Beverly Burbage c.1980. ai7.

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Medium sized presentation pitcher with incised line decoration and the initials F.D.H. ai8.

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Two similarly shaped pitchers. ai9.

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The Decker home and pottery buildings c 1895. Burbage1.

Burbage1

Pottery gathered from various locations on the Decker property c 1970. Burbage10.

Burbage10

More pottery from the Decker sheds c 1970. Burbage11.

Burbage11

Mrs. Sarah Decker is seen standing in front of the old Decker home. The 1884 yard ornament is minus its top, which was reportedly broken by a grandson. Burbage12.

Burbage12

Family owned cobalt decorated crock c 1970. Burbage13.

Burbage13

Family owned cobalt decorated jar c 1970. Burbage14.

Burbage14

Two of the original seven Decker Pottery buildings left standing c 1970. Seen in the Tennessee Conservationist. Burbage15.

Burbage15

David Miller and his mother, Irene. Mrs. Miller was named Tennessee’s Mother of the Year for 1971. David authored one of the articles in the Tennessee Conservationist November 1971. Seen in the Tennessee Conservationist. Burbage16.

Burbage16

Another view of the Decker property c 1895. Burbage17.

Burbage17

Marketing distribution map from an early exhibit. The caption reads: This map shows the location of the Keystone Pottery and the pottery distribution points for the upper Tennessee area during the period of May 1886 – September 1889. Burbage18.

Burbage18

Unusual cobalt decorated pitcher with inset strainer. Burbage19.

Burbage19

The now famous 1904 Decker Pottery photograph staged outside the pottery showing tools on the wall and finished pieces of pottery. Left to right: William Decker (Uncle Billy), William Duncan, Charles Decker, Jr., a grandson, Charles Sr. at the wheel and two more grandsons. The grandsons, sometimes referred to as apprentices, worked at carrying the pieces to drying racks and other chores. Seen in the Tennessee Conservationist and elsewhere. Burbage2.

Burbage2

Photograph from an early exhibit showing Charles, Sr.’s wheel, tools and pottery. Burbage20.

Burbage20

Display of Decker pottery wooden tools, largely from Paul Fink’s collection. Burbage21.

Burbage21

Potter rolling pin used by the Deckers for slab constructed pieces. Burbage22.

Burbage22

Back cover of the Tennessee Conservationist November 1971. Burbage23.

Burbage23

Large jar incised C. F. Decker Chucky Valley Tenn 1891. Burbage24.

Burbage24

An example of Charles Decker, Sr.’s handwriting. Burbage25.

Burbage25

A photograph of Charles Decker, Jr. Burbage26.

Burbage26

Lawn ornament made by Charles Decker, Jr. Jan. 15 1885. Photograph c 1970. Burbage27.

Burbage27

Another view of the lawn ornament made by Charles Jr. in 1885. Burbage28.

Burbage28

Lawn ornament made by Charles Decker, Sr. May 5, 1884. The photograph, c 1970, was taken prior to restoration of the top and bird. Burbage29.

Burbage29

One of Beverly Burbage’s favorite photographs showing Mrs. Judy Derby and Charles Sr.’s 30 gallon jar which is owned by the Carroll Reece Museum c 1970. Seen in the Tennessee Conservationist. Burbage3.

Burbage3

Another view of Charles Sr.’s 1884 lawn ornament prior to restoration. Burbage30.

Burbage30

Charles Decker, Sr’s 1884 lawn ornament after restoration sometime in the 1980s. A certain amount of “artistic license†was taken in the restoration of the top as can be seen by comparing illustration 16c with this image. Burbage31.

Burbage31

One of the Beverly Burbage note pages. Burbage32.

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Frederick Franklin Decker. Burbage33.

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Three pieces of pottery seen in the group of ten on the grass. The small pitcher is basically covered with cobalt and dated on the bottom 1906. Burbage34.

Burbage34

Earthenware flowerpot with pedestal-type foot and small jar. Burbage35.

Burbage35

Foot marker for a grave. Burbage36.

Burbage36

Richard Henry Decker is the tall one second from the left. Burbage37.

Burbage37

William Decker (Uncle Billy) and his older brother Charles, Jr. Burbage38.

Burbage38

Underside of the gatepost ornament showing the signature and date. Burbage39.

Burbage39

Decker family, pottery workers, William’s dog Shep and “Stretch†c 1895. Burbage4.

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The large low flowerpot found in Lutora’s yard wired back together prior to restoration. Burbage40.

Burbage40

Decker face jug Burbage41.

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Right side view Decker face jug. Burbage42.

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Left side view Decker face jug. Burbage43.

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Handle attachment Decker face jug. Burbage44.

Burbage44

Acknowledgements. Burbage45.

Burbage45

Charles, Jr., Shep, William (Uncle Billy) and possibly William Duncan c 1895. Burbage4c

Burbage4c

Charles Decker, Sr.’s wheel as seen c 1970. Burbage5.

Burbage5

Harry Decker, a grandson of Charles, Sr. with his favorite piece of Decker pottery, the decorated pig bank. It is believed to have been made while Decker was still in Philadelphia. Seen in the Tennessee Conservationist. Burbage6.

Burbage6

The Decker face jug which was in Paul Fink’s collection. It is now in the Tennessee State Museum. Burbage7.

Burbage7

Utilitarian wares found in sheds on the Decker property. Many had incised decorations or inscriptions c 1970. Burbage8.

Burbage8

Mary Decker, a great, great granddaughter of Charles Sr. holding a utilitarian jug behind a pyramid of Decker jars c 1970. Seen in the Tennessee Conservationist. Burbage9.

Burbage9

Ten pieces of pottery gathered from the property and displayed on the grass. illus1.

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Lutora Decker Barnes holding the bank bearing her name and birth date, Lutora Nov. 20 1901. illus12siBB.

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Uncle Billy’s double spouted jug among other pieces of pottery. illus12siBBc.

illus12sibbc

Dick Decker’s hunting horn. illus14siBB.

illus14sibb

Gatepost ornament with cobalt decoration and marbles for eyes. It is incised Made By Wm Decker July 1887 inside the base. illus15.

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The famous Decker front yard photograph c 1900. Seen in the Tennessee Conservationist. illus16.

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The front yard photograph cropped and enlarged c 1900. illus16c.

illus16c

The bottom of Uncle Billy’s pipe showing the signature and date. illus17.

illus17

Uncle Billy’s pipe signed Made by Wm Decker Jan 1888 with an image of a Catawba Indian pipe above it. illus18.

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Cobalt decorated bowl with spout. Incised under the spout Made Aug 9th 1884 By Wm Decker. Seen in the Tennessee Conservationist. illus19.

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Small bowl with delicate crimped rim. illus2.

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The reverse of the cobalt decorated bowl with spout. Incised Chucky Valley Tenn. Seen in the Tennessee Conservationist. illus20siBB.

illus20sibb

Small cobalt decorated mortar incised on the base Made Dec 4th 1897 By Wm Decker At the Keystone Pottery of Chucky Valley Washington Co Tenn. illus23.

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Shep’s cobalt decorated dish incised on the bottom Made by Wm Decker Nov 1st 1906. illus25si.

illus25si

Dick Decker holding Uncle Billy’s grafting knife and leather punch. illus27.

illus27

Iron cistern cover. The mold was signed and dated W Decker Aug. 12. 1900. illus28.

illus28

Flowerpot base formed to resemble a tree stump. C. F. Decker is applied in letters made to look like bark covered limbs. T. B. Fleet is incised in script on a flat area which simulates a limb having been cut away. illus29.

illus29

Another view of the flowerpot base which resembles a tree stump. Keystone Pottery Chucky Valley Tenn Sept 10. 1889 is incised on a flat area which simulates a large limb having been cut away. illus30.

illus30

Large low flowerpot with four applied rings around the sides after restoration by Andrew Hurst. illus33.

illus33

Detail of Charles, Sr., son Charles and two grandsons. illus3siBB.

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Unglazed earthenware flower pot. illus4.

illus4

Osker Johnson jug. illus7si.

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Opposite side of Osker Johnson jug. illus8si.

illus8si

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