Very Rare and Important Half-Gallon Stoneware Jug with Elaborate Cobalt Watchspring, Stylized Grape, and "Fish Scale" Decorations, attributed to Abraham Mead, Greenwich, CT, circa 1790, squat-shaped, ovoid jug with distinctive, wide-mouthed spout and grooved strap handle, the front decorated with an undulating vine in the form of three conjoined watchsprings, surmounted by two clusters of stylized grapes, and underscored with stylized fish scale motifs. Reverse with large watchspring motifs emanating from the handle. Spout decorated with a cobalt highlight around its incised band. Mead stoneware remains some of the most coveted and rarest of all Connecticut stoneware products, and few pieces have come to market in the last several years. A small number of surviving Mead family pieces represent some of the earliest dated American stoneware objects known. This example, potted in a pleasing small size, is excellent in all respects. It is the finest of the very few Mead stoneware pieces we have offered over the years. A few small, in-the-firing contact marks, typical of pieces of the age. A small flake to front. Some short lines to surface, most or all of which appear to be in-the-firing. A long horizontal line near base on reverse, possibly in-the-firing. H 8 3/4".
