TOBACCO BOX

CulturePrince Edward Island

Dimensions17 x 24 x 17 cm (6 11/16 x 9 7/16 x 6 11/16 in.) (Base, .a)

Object numberHF.2023.33.1a-c

DescriptionAn earthenware tobacco box, brown with clear glaze made to resemble a log which sits on a base. The hollow log (19cmx8cm) has notches to look like branches which look as if they were trimmed and features a lid (.b) with a short handle which looks like a cut branch. The base (24cmx11cm) is trimmed with 5 small, horizontal logs with four legs underneath, which also look like short stumps. A hollow cup (.c), which similarly looks like a stump. A rectangular stamp is present on the top-front of the base with "P.E.I. Pottery" within the center.
Narrative

The PEI Pottery Company was established in 1880 by Frederick W. Hyndman on an eight acre parcel of land located on the present day Charlottetown Experimental Farm. The company competed with available imported ceramics such as preserve jars, milk pans, and liquid jars while also producing stove pipes, chimney pots, and miniature earthenware items. The company hired Oswald Hornsby who was experienced in the Atlantic pottery industry to oversee production. Hornsby purchased the company from Hyndman in 1886 and began creating ornamental items, such as decorative tiles manufactured for St. Paul's Anglican Church in Charlottetown, which can still be seen today.

This tobacco box was inherited by the donor whose grandmother, Camilla Hornsby, was the daughter of Oswald Hornsby.

Associated objects: HF.2017.27.32a-b & HF.2017.27.33a-b.

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