Lead tobacco jar, circular with detachable lid and finial in the form of a black person's head, moulded decoration, English, 1780-1850

Containers for tobacco were traditionally known as jars, whatever material was used to construct them. The lid of this lead tobacco jar is decorated with the head of an enslaved African-American. This type of decoration was common and is a direct connection to the plantations where tobacco was grown and harvested by enslaved workers. (Shown here with a similar example, A66576).