Rare Two-Gallon Stoneware Jug with Incised Bird Decoration, Manhattan, NY origin, late 18th or early 19th century, highly-ovoid jug with footed base and heavily-tooled spout, decorated with an incised and cobalt-highlighted design of a standing bird with wing detail, circular eye, and unusual cere (bump) at the base of the beak, an anatomical trait found on pigeons, birds of prey, and other avian species. Cobalt highlights to handle terminals. This design is related to a number of other pieces with incised bird decoration, typically attributed to members of the Crolius and Remmey families, and all considered scarce. Interestingly, this jug includes period contents inside, being partially filled with a solid, dark, and sweet-smelling substance, presumably molasses. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, from a small Northeastern U.S. collection assembled during the 1950s-1990s, consigned to this auction. Large crude repair to spout. Glazed-over chipping to base. A very faint 5" line extending up from base on side of jug, possibly in-the-firing.