I like the idea of memory jugs but it's not very often I come across one that really love as a thing. This dark and densely packed and super visceral one won me right away though, including for the fact of it having been sealed up tight long ago, and feeling as if holding all sorts of histories and mysteries (and what sounds like sand or maybe even ashes inside.) It appears to me that over time it has seen additions in response to losses; included on its surface is an 1826 half cent, which I would think well precedes its origin, but perhaps marks the birth year of its maker? Shells, chains, a mirror, a locket that opens, and a variety of buttons and bits of hardware appear likely original to it, while there are a couple of white buttons and a mid 20th century German 10 Pfennig that certainly came later.
I know that the Maryland-based seller I purchased it from purchased it from the estate of a family who had passed it down through multiple generations--and they sent along several bits and bobs that had fallen off and been saved, which I will send along too.
8 5/8" t x 5 1/2". Overall good condition, stoneware/redware visible from the underside, with a few bits lost here and there as evident--a handful of which the seller included, as pictured. I opted not to try to glue them back, but will include them should you wish too.