{"product_id":"antique-albany-slip-stoneware-jug-19th-c-merchant-tag-formosa-oolong-tea-suffield-ct","title":"Antique Albany Slip Stoneware Jug 19th C Merchant Tag Formosa Oolong Tea Suffield CT","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOffered here is an exceptional, authentic piece of late 19th-century New England merchant history: a wheel-thrown, semi-ovoid brown stoneware jug complete with its highly rare, original brass holder and paper merchant label.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe jug features a classic, rich \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlbany slip glaze\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, producing a variable deep chocolate and metallic brown surface with authentic firing characteristics, including slip runs and localized iron spotting along the lower third of the body. It maintains its tight-fitting, heavily oxidized, original cork plug.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe primary historical significance of this piece lies in its preserved ephemeral hardware: a wire-wrapped brass merchant tag holder stamped \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"UNIFORM GRADES \/ LIGHT OF FORMOSA \/ OOLONG TEA CO.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e which houses a rare, double-sided paper merchant label. The label documents local commerce in Hartford County, identifying the retailer as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eH. M. Hackett\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuffield, Connecticut\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The \"Light of Formosa\" brand represents the late Victorian fascination with high-grade imported Taiwanese (Formosa) Oolong teas, which were frequently distributed to rural merchants in durable stoneware vessels.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; Age\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGeographic Origin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e United States, locally retailed in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuffield, Connecticut\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduction Era:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Late 19th Century (circa 1880–1895)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBody \u0026amp; Base:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The structural integrity of the jug is excellent, with a solid, stable base showing a clean, unglazed bottom face typical of kiln-sitting positions, with a chip as seen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpout\/Rim:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Shows historic, expected chipping along the upper outer edge of the rim (visible in detail photographs), confirming heavy period use. No active structural cracks or spidering present.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHardware \u0026amp; Label:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The original brass tag holder is intact with a dark, authentic, untouched green-and-brown verdigris patina. The paper label shows heavy stabilization, browning, and losses consistent with age, but remains completely legible for geographic and commercial attribution.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSurface:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Offered in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"as-found,\" untouched condition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e with original patination and minor historic surface grime. It has not been mechanically cleaned or restored.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthenticity Assessment\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis piece is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eunequivocally authentic\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and dates precisely to the late 19th century. Evaluation of the key diagnostic markers confirms its period status:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGlaze Character:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The Albany slip application shows typical late-Victorian industrial\/domestic variation, featuring characteristic pooling, subtle surface orange-peel texture, and an unglazed bottom rim displaying direct kiln-floor wire marks and slight structural imperfections from firing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEphemeral Hardware:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The brass holder exhibits natural, layered atmospheric oxidation (verdigris) that cannot be replicated synthetically without leaving signature chemical halos.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLabel Wear:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The paper insert demonstrates uniform silverfish degradation, fiber browning from tannin migration from the adhesive layer, and historic grime trapped \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ebeneath\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e the brass retaining tabs, verifying that the label has remained undisturbed within its fixture for over a century.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReference\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBook Title:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEarly New England Potters and Their Wares\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u0026gt; \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Lura Woodside Watkins\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePage Reference:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e See discussions on late-period local distribution and the transition to commercial slip-glazed merchant jars on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003epages 232–237\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003eShipping calculated by eBay\/USPS\/UPS based on your ZIP code.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003eItem Description and Condition Disclaimer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003eWe take great care in researching, identifying, and describing each antique item to the best of our ability, drawing on available resources and hands-on examination. However, as dedicated enthusiasts rather than professional appraisers or certified experts, we cannot offer guarantees on authenticity, age, origin, or precise valuation. We strongly recommend that buyers perform their own due diligence, including consulting reference materials or experts, and thoroughly examine the accompanying photographs. These images are an essential component of our listing and depict the item's actual condition, including any visible flaws, wear, or imperfections consistent with its antique nature. It is the buyer's responsibility to inspect each lot and form their own assessment on condition, description and authenticity before purchasing. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll items have signs of wear commensurate with age and usage. The lack of statement regarding condition does not imply that the item is in perfect condition or free from any and all defects. If you have any questions regarding the condition of the items, please ask and we will be more than happy to answer and\/or provide additional photos as requested. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003eCustomer Service Commitment\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: large;\"\u003eWe truly value our customers and prioritize building lasting relationships through exceptional service. If you'd like additional photos or have questions about an item, we're more than happy to provide them promptly upon request. In the event of any concerns after purchase, please reach out to us as soon as possible--certainly before submitting feedback--so we can work together to resolve the matter swiftly and fairly. Our utmost focus is on customer satisfaction, and we'll do everything in our power to ensure every transaction is smooth, transparent, and positive for you.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Light and Legacy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44147177488427,"sku":"902","price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/5379\/5371\/files\/20260528_213027.jpg?v=1780334772","url":"https:\/\/thelightandlegacy.com\/products\/antique-albany-slip-stoneware-jug-19th-c-merchant-tag-formosa-oolong-tea-suffield-ct","provider":"Light and Legacy","version":"1.0","type":"link"}