Oyster jar from the Thomas Downing oyster house

This cylindrical stoneware jar is currently held at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. It is stamped with Thomas Downing’s label, reading: T. Downing / Pickled Oysters / No 5. Broad St. / New York.” Pickling oysters allowed the product to be safely shipped, which dramatically broadened the market available to oyster sellers.