When visiting the McKissick Museum I was engrossed by the...

When visiting the McKissick Museum I was engrossed by the American Folk Art, ceramic Face Jugs, also known as ugly or grotesque jugs. There are gaps in the history in regards to how the face jugs were made, what they were used for, and the meaning of the face vessel pottery. However it is believed that these vessels were original, useful, creative expressions of the African slave culture of the time created as early as the seventeenth century. Few artists of face jugs have been identified and their inspirations for producing the vessels are not completely known. According to Hirst, it is believed that this art form originated in Edgefield County South Carolina, from African slaves who worked on the plantations as potters. They worked on†¦show more content†¦Face Jugs have become more imaginative and peculiar as they became marketable. Today, either you love them or hate them. I personally find these jugs intriguing. There is a mystery surrounding them which make them extrem ely interesting to me. Because South Carolina is a big tourists attraction face jugs have attracted the attention of tourists. Replications of face jugs are made for tourists. They are not used as much for functional use today, as they are more of a decorative or aesthetic art form. The jugs come in all shapes and sizes with a variety of facial features and expressions. Many of the faces that I like have a symmetrical balance which, throughout this course, has caught my attention. The glaze used makes the face jugs shiny and smooth. Ceramic Face Jugs are different, unique, mysterious, and good conversational pieces. In summation, face jugs are representations of folk art by African-American slaves. There is a lot that we do not know and will never know about the history of face jugs but they are interesting pieces of art. These jugs are unique and different no matter if they are used for