Exceptional Ohio Stoneware Harvest Jug w/ Elaborate Applied Designs

March 14, 2015 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 350

Price Realized: $10,350.00

($9,000 hammer, plus 15% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: This result is 9 years old, and the American ceramics market frequently changes. Additionally, small nuances of color, condition, shape, etc. can mean huge differences in price. If you're interested in having us sell a similar item for you, please contact us here.

Auction Highlight: March 14, 2015 Auction | Ohio & Midwest

March 14, 2015 Auction Catalog

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Exceptional Stoneware Harvest Jug with Profuse Applied Animal and Human Decorations, Incised "E.A.H," Ohio origin, circa 1880, domed form with Albany-slip-glazed surface, the handle in the form of a hand-modeled and heavily-incised alligator devouring a frog. One side decorated with a molded eagle between cornucopias, below a banner inscribed "NE PLUS ULTRA", loosely translating to "THE ULTIMATE (IN QUALITY)". Opposite side with large hand-modeled and applied figure of a tippling man with hat, raising a jug to his lips, followed by an elaborate molded and applied design of a grape vine with large grape cluster. The wide and narrow spouts of this jug are molded in the forms of a large snail shell and heavily-scaled fish, with the fish's mouth forming the narrow spout. A small molded grape cluster design forms the finial. Incised in script "E.A.H." on side of jug, representing the owner or maker. This imaginative example of American ceramic folk art is one of the most ambitiously-decorated stoneware objects with applied work we have seen. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example purchased approximately 30 years ago at Garth's Auction, where it was featured as a cover lot for the catalog. Possible restoration to end of alligator's snout. Some relatively minor chips to applied decoration. H (to top of handle) 11 1/2".