Cox Point
The “Cox Point" motif is a relatively common design that has been recognized as an element of Rockport ceramics since the 1930s. It consists of a single, horizontal zigzag line that circles the upper part of the vessel’s exterior just below the lip. Unlike all other Rockport Incised motifs, the line that forms “Cox Point” is relatively wide, and falls in the medium category (between 2 and 4 mm). It also is particularly sloppy, and exhibits burred edges formed by incising in a wet paste. These characteristics serve to set the motif off from other horizontal zigzag lines that most likely are elements in more-complicated motifs. All “Cox Point” examples from Guadalupe Bay are unzoned; however, specimens illustrated by other researchers include zoned examples that may eventually be designated as a separate motif. There were seven rims and one body sherd of “Cox Point” in the Guadalupe Bay collection. Two of the rims fit together, while three other sherds almost certainly are from the same vessel. Thus, the entire collection most likely represents the remains of only one or two vessels.
As noted, this motif has been recognized as a Rockport design since the first ceramic studies were attempted, and it has been illustrated on several previous occasions. Only a few sherds exhibiting designs similar to the “Cox Point" motif have been reported in the Galveston Bay area, while no counterparts are known from the Louisiana coast or the Lower Mississippi Valley. This suggests that the “Cox Point" motif is principally confined to the central Texas coast, and probably is a true Rockport diagnostic.