Extremely Rare Stoneware Snake Flask, Incised "Harper's $500.00" and "Little Brown Jug / 1883," Signed and Dated "Anna Pottery 1884," Wallace and Cornwall Kirkpatrick, Anna, IL, large-sized flask with pinched sides, elaborately-tooled spout, and applied handle in the form of a snake coiled around the flask's spout. Incised details to snake's face and heavy raised scale detail to body. Surface covered in an Albany slip glaze, the shoulder incised with the inscription "Harper's $500.00" and "Little Brown Jug / 1883". Underside covered in an Albany slip glaze and incised with the signature and date "Anna Pottery / 1884". The slogan "Harper's $500.00" and 1883 date refer to Illinois's Harper High License Law of 1883. Inspired by the High License Temperance Movement, Harper's Law placed a minimum annual license fee of $500 for the sale of liquors, thereby drastically reducing the presence of saloons and other liquor establishments in the state of Illinois. While consistent with the temperance-related themes associated with much of their work, this flask is the first example by the Kirkpatrick Brothers we have seen bearing this particular inscription. The rarity of this example is compounded by the unusual pinched flask form and large size. A fine and historically significant example of Anna Pottery, carrying an excellent provenance. Provenance: Found in the early 20th century on an Indian Reservation in Wewoka, OK. A fresh-to-the-market example, purchased by the consignor over thirty years ago. Literature: Appears in the June 1933 issue of The Magazine Antiques (pg. 204). Wear to left side of snout and left eye. Minor wear to right eye. Spout chips. Minor base chips. H 8 3/4".
