H70.142.24

• california gold rush

Container/lid. Description: Brown glazed earthernware food storage jar with lid. Brownware. a: Crock. b: Lid. From the History Information Station: This storage crock with a lid is made of red earthenware, or redware, glazed brown. Lots of inexpensive redware dishes were made in large quantities all over the U.S., so a settler might have brought the crock from another part of the country, or bought it from a California potter. Crocks could be closed with wax, or with wood or ceramic lids sealed with wax. In California pioneer kitchens most food was stored in ceramic crocks or pots. Crocks mostly held foods like honey, sugar, corn, and beans, or pickles and preserves, but they also occasionally held leftovers. Few leftovers were kept because there was no refrigeration, and most foods didn't last long unless they were pickled or boiled in sugar. But at least the heavy crocks sitting in dark cupboards kept food cool and safe from mice.

Used: crock