Whelchel Lanier Reggie family MEADERS Southern Folk Art Pottery Whiskey Face tobacco Jug

Cool tobacco spit whiskey jug purchased from the family circa ~ 2014. Like new. Came with the corn cob stopper. Signed Whelchel Meaders Mossy Creek Pottery

~ 5” w x 9” tall

Whelchel Meaders (1931-)

Only son of L.Q. Meaders (https://pottery.fandom.com/wiki/L.Q._Meaders) and cousin of Lanier Meaders (https://pottery.fandom.com/wiki/Lanier_Meaders) (whose father was Cheever Meaders (https://pottery.fandom.com/wiki/Cheever_Meaders), L.Q's only younger brother).

Made ash-glazed face jugs and also utilitarian wares, but according to "From Mud to Jug" it would seem not full time.

As of 2016, owner of one of 6 Meaders (https://pottery.fandom.com/wiki/Meaders) family pottery studios on the Folk Potters Trail in North Georgia (https://pottery.fandom.com/wiki/Georgia).

Reportedly officially retired from turning at age 86 in 2018, but as of April 9, 2018 was still active enough to be getting clay from Mike Craven of the Craven (https://pottery.fandom.com/wiki/Craven) family of potters and Craven Family Pottery.

As with many from folk pottery families (including others in the Meaders family) he did not take up potting seriously until 1991 when he retired from full time work (though he learned as a child). Interestingly, he built his shop to teach his daughters the craft, but

took it up himself when they left to pursue other careers.

Along with

Mildred Meaders (https://pottery.fandom.com/wiki/Mildred_Meaders)

and Annette Meaders Boswell, helped teach Rex Hogan (another well known folk artist and face jug creator) the basics of the craft, and also loaned him the wheel he started turning on.