Image 1

Emmett James

American (life dates unknown)

untitled (memory jug), after 1965

mixed media

Gift of Merle Glick 2009.21

Memory jugs are decorative pieces made by placing small everyday objects such as keys, screws and nails, glass vials, shells, nuts, marbles, buttons, and jewelry on the surface of ceramic jugs using putty, cement, or other adhesive material. There are several explanations for why these vessels were created. One theory is that they originated in Southern Black communities where they were used as grave markers. The vessels were covered with objects that had belonged to the deceased. Another theory is that the jugs were part of the “scrapbook mentality” that marked the Victorian era, in which decoration was abundant, and saving mementos of loved ones had universal appeal. Finally, some believe that creating memory jugs was simply a fun bad weather activity to while away the time.

This memory jug (Image 1) was constructed by putting various objects on a jug encased in concrete. Some identifiable objects include marbles, a spigot, a saltshaker, a penny, a metal chain, pins, keys, buttons, ceramic, porcelain, glass decorative objects, and a small metal.

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