Sir Benjamin Stone
'"Black Jacks" preserved at Littlecote Wiltshire 1902'
Littlecote, Wiltshire, England
1902
Platinum print
Museum no. E.735-2001

Black Jacks are large pitchers made of one piece of leather with a base. They were tarred inside with pitch to make them waterproof (hence the name) and used as everyday vessels for serving beer. Examples are recorded as far back as the 14th century.