07/26/2026
Don't miss this exhibit, and if you'd be interested in learning more about this unique art form, or starting or adding to a collection, please contact us.
Introducing our new Ugly Mugs, inspired by the iconic Southern Ugly Jugs, to the museum's gift shop!
Originally made by enslaved African American potters in the Edgefield District of South Carolina during the 1800s, ugly jugs are some of the most recognizable pieces of Southern folk pottery.
Some historians believe they were made to keep children away from whatever was inside, often liquor. Others point to African spiritual traditions, suggesting they were placed on graves to guard the dead or ward off evil spirits, which is especially meaningful because many enslaved people were denied proper burials.
These mugs are handmade by Bauern Malerei by Trish, who ensures that each one is entirely unique. Stop by the McDuffie Museum and adopt your own Ugly Mug!
