SCARCE EARLY to MID 19TH CENTURY AMERICAN ANTIQUE ONE GALLON, OVOID SHAPED, WHEEL-THROWN, SALT GLAZED STONEWARE JUG, with SLAB CONSTRUCTED, ATTACHED HANDLE
& HAND PAINTED COBALT BLUE SLIP
HANDLE DECORATION
[There's no stamp & blue slip decorated sidewall maker's mark]
(Circa 1835-1855)
Early to mid 20th century American antique salt glazed & decorated stoneware jugs & crocks
DIMENSIONS:
11 1⁄2" Height x 8" Width
Weight: 4 lbs. 14 oz.
DESCRIPTION:
Only a small chip on the pouring spout and upside-down, 'V'-shaped, descending lines emanate from an old bruise, located at the top of this early to mid 19th century American antique, hand-decorated, salt glazed, one gallon stoneware jug, no doubt the result of a previous 'knock,' occurring long ago. The jug's still structurally sound and this old 'knock' and resulting slight ceramic material loss and small V-shaped cracks, only descend about and inch or an inch and a half from the small bit of ceramic loss at the top. This early, ovoid-shaped antique stoneware jug is otherwise in fairly well-preserved, overall antique condition for an early stoneware jug, realized from between 1835 to 1855, preceding the US Civil War and now about 145 to 165 years old. The ovoid form is an early New England stoneware form and is classic and points to it being a much older, early, pre-US Civil War piece. What's most notable about it, is not its lack of a stamped maker's mark on its upper sidewall but the cobalt blue slip, hand painted decoration at the top and bottom of the slab-constructed handle. There's also some minor to moderate glaze crazing and crackling right along the bottom baseplate along the lower sidewalls. The jug was wheel-thrown and shows the ribbed finger marks of the 19th century American potter from New England. It was found here in southern New Hampshire. It was only gently dusted, washed, cleaned and dried, using soft cotton cloths. It's otherwise unadulterated and remains as it always was, now 145 to 165 years later. Absolutely amazing and a wonderful early to mid-19th century New England primitive, cultural artifact. Very handsome.
CONDITION:
Good-Very overall antique condition.