‘Ugly face’ jug by renowned Southern folk artist found at Goodwill

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — An “ugly face” jug that was a hallmark of the celebrated Southern folk artist Lanier Meaders was recently uncovered at a Goodwill store in the Midwest.

The jug was recently listed on Goodwill’s auction site, where it sold for over $2,000. According to its listing, the jug was originally donated to a Goodwill store in Crystal Lake, Illinois.

Despite the grotesque visage molded into the jug, the piece is actually a small part of a highly-collectible ouvre of the late potter’s work. Originally from Mossy Creek, Georgia, Meaders was part of the family pottery business, which first began in 1893. In his work, Meaders would often form different faces into the jugs he made, often with jagged teeth, big eyes and a dyspeptic temperment.

Meaders died in 1998, but his work became a highly sought piece of Americana, even being featured in the Smithsonian Institute. In a 2023 auction, one “ugly face” piece sold for over $48,000. In recent years, other pieces have gone as high as between $3,000 to $5,000.

For more information, click here.