Marshall Pottery Stoneware Pitcher

This vintage stoneware pitcher was hand thrown by Master Potter Edward James (E.J.) Humphries (1919-1999). E.J. was a third-generation potter and a lifelong resident of the East Texas town of Marshall, Texas. He worked for Marshall Pottery, founded in 1895, for more than 50 years. The Marshall Pottery Old World Store drew visitors from all over to watch the pottery being made and take home a piece or two. The store closed in 2015 and handmade pottery is no longer made there.

Bearing E.J.'s finger marks inside, the pitcher was made of a pale creamy white stoneware clay with a pulled spout and a pulled C-shaped handle attached to the body with his thumbprint. It was given two neatly drawn cobalt stripes, then a clear glossy overglaze inside and out, before being fired in the kiln. The dry bottom has a blue stamped mark consisting of "MARSHALL POTTERY" and in script "Master Potter E.J. Humphries".

The pitcher weighs about 3 pounds and is in like new condition, with no post-production damage or wear. There is a small lump of clay below the handle, left behind when E.J. smoothed the clay. It stands 7 1/2 inches tall, measures about 7 inches from spout to handle and has a base about 5 inches across. It's a great pitcher for flowers, fresh or dried or silk, and looks great displayed on its own.

>>>There is a documentary on YouTube, made in 1970, that features E.J. Humphries shown hand throwing his stoneware. The video was made by David Bradley, who also worked at the Marshall Pottery. It's so interesting to watch him on the screen while holding one of his pottery pieces!

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