Exceptional Anna Pottery Stoneware Snake Jug, Incised "Little Brown Jug / by / Anna Pottery / 1885," Wallace and Cornwall Kirkpatrick, Anna,
IL, ovoid jug with Albany-slip-glazed surface, rare chip-carved base, and tooled spout. Handle in the form of a large and well-detailed snake, featuring elaborate scaling, incised eyes and mouth, and deeply-carved poison glands. Animal's head incised with the word "Pizen," a colloquial for "poison," made all the more evident by the snake's well-defined poison glands at the rear of the head. Body of jug incised in fine penmanship "Little Brown Jug / by / Anna Pottery / 1885".
The Kirkpatrick brothers' fascination with snakes is evidenced by the great realism with which this creature is portrayed in their jugs from the 1870s and 1880s. Wallace was known to have created a "snake pit" on the pottery site, which housed a collection of venomous snakes for viewing. At other times, the creatures were carted to fairs for display. This close interaction with the animal allowed the brothers to represent the subject in clay with a sense of anatomical accuracy. One can note the life-like depiction of the snake on this jug. Its raised head and coiled body, heavily-filled with air, are all accurate characteristics of a poisonous snake taking a defensive stance.
One of two jugs of this particular style we have offered, the other being lot #1 in our November 1, 2008 auction. Both feature the very rare "Pizen" inscription, and are potted in a larger size than most little brown jugs known by the Kirkpatrick brothers. This example is possibly the finer of the two. The overall height is slightly taller, the color is arguably better, and the snake appears to be of a more robust form. Likely one of the finest Anna Pottery little brown jugs known. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, consigned from the Southwestern U.S. Excellent condition with minor base wear. H (including snake) 5 5/8".
