TidesNet—Online Collections Entry Detail

DescriptionAn early 19th century mochaware mug that was pieced back together from a number of shards.The mug dates to about 1820. This mug was unearthed four years ago during the excavation of a six foot deep 19th century household “dump” in this region that was filled with thousands upon thousands of beautiful, but broken early 19th century ceramic and glass shards. The “dump” was on the site of a large house built in 1824 and torn down in the early 1960s. The house underwent considerable renovation in the mid-19th century. During this renovation, the existing house pantry full of ceramic and glass ware was likely cleared out and thrown in the “dump.” Some ceramic and glass shards came into the institute’s collections during this initial excavation, but much was also taken out of the region to Portland, Maine and to North Dakota. The institute sought the return of what was removed from the area. All that went to the Portland area is now back in the institute’s collections. Nearly all (including this piece), with the exception of two pieces, that went to North Dakota is now back in the institute’s collections. Two summers ago, another excavation of the same household “dump” was undertaken and several hundred more ceramic and glass shards were found, some of which perfectly matched shards unearthed two years before. About 100 ceramic and glass pieces have been put back together, either entirely or nearly entirely. Photo caption: An early 19th century mochaware mug that was pieced back together from a number of shards.The mug dates to about 1820.