While to modern eyes, this piece may look like a vase one would use for flowers, it is act...

While to modern eyes, this piece may look like a vase one would use for flowers, it is actually a miniature white salt-glazed stoneware version of a bottle which accompanied a wash basin in the eighteenth century  The standard size bottle is shown with basin in Salt-Glazed Stoneware In Early America by Janine Skerry and Suzanne Hood (p. 158-159, Figure 30).  Even in this miniature size, the distinct qualities of clear white surface and fine orange peel texture are apparent. 

 

 

White salt-glazed stoneware was executed both by molding and throwing on a wheel.  Si...

White salt-glazed stoneware was executed both by molding and throwing on a wheel.  Simple pieces such as this were often wheel thrown.  Here, subtle irregularities in the profile coupled with a slight tool mark along the base at the foot reveal the hand of the potter. Of course throwing a delicately-walled bottle on such a tiny scale demanded considerable finesse.