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Janus Bowl, White Ironstone, S.S. Central America [159092]

Currency:USD Category:Artifacts / Shipwreck Artifacts Start Price:150.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 USD and UP
Janus Bowl, White Ironstone, S.S. Central America [159092]
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A white ironstone rectangular bowl, marked // Ironstone China / Barrow & Co. // on the bottom (1853- 1856). Called a "Janus" bowl because of the two human faces on opposite sides. Janus, the Roman God namesake of the month of January, represented time because Janus could see into the past with one face and into the future with the other. Some references online suggest Janus pieces were used for marriage events. The Janus bowls may have been purchased for the outfitting of the S.S. George Law (the original name of the S.S. Central America) for her maiden voyage in October 1853. These may have had significance for the United States Mail Steamship Company since they provided two-way service in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. This piece is in near-pristine condition, with no chips, cracks, or staining on the ceramic. There are calcareous marine worm (serpulid) casts on this one, on each end, adding their touch to this rescued item. Two of these Janus pieces were recovered from the stern area of the S.S. Central America shipwreck in 1991, as well as a single lid, which does not quite fit either example. Dimensions 6in.x 4.5in.x 3.5in.

Date: 1857
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Provenance: SS Central America Collection