The pot looks rather like the Martavan stoneware storage jars produced in
China and SE Asia. The only pictures I have are of C17 examples but the
tradition may have continued on.

paul courtney
----- Original Message -----
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To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, February 23, 2001 5:43 PM
Subject: Re: help with ceramic ID


> Dave:
>
> I did some archeological work in Sitka back in the early 1980's, so spent
a
> lot of time reading up on the Russians in Alaska. Following up on Ron
May's
> observation that your jar looks like a Spanish olive jar recycled as a
> water jar: the Russian American Company suffered throughout its tenure in
> Alaska from poor supply networks to Russia. My excavations in Sitka
yielded
> mostly British material culture, because the Russians depended heavily on
> the Hudson's Bay Company for supplies. They also had some trade agreements
> with the Spanish before the Mexican Revolution, and their settlement at
> Fort Ross in California provided much of the foodstuffs for the Alaskan
> outposts.
>
> It is very likely that your jar came to Alaska via the Russian American
> Company, through their Fort Ross settlement and trade agreements with the
> Spanish.
>
> Let me know if you need some specific references to follow-up. I know
Glenn
> Ferris, for instance, has done a lot of archeological work at Fort Ross,
> and may be able to steer you down that path, if you like.
>
>
> Cathy Spude
> (aka Cathy Blee)
> [log in to unmask]
>