Extremely Rare Three-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Incised Bird Decoration, Manhattan, NY origin, possibly Crolius Family, circa 1795, ovoid jar with footed base, heavily-tooled shoulder, and open loop handles, decorated on the front and reverse with a finely-incised design of a large bird with impressed circular eye and scalloped tail tip, perched on a leafy branch. The wing outline and stem are created from a three-pronged, fork-like stylus, a decorative treatment found on some of the finest examples of 18th century Manhattan stoneware known. A similar treatment was employed, for example, on the stems of designs on jars bearing Thomas Commeraw's earliest mark, "COERLEARS HOOK". It is also present on a floral-decorated jug with two-color slip decoration, attributed to Clarkson, Crolius, Sr., sold as lot #191 in Crocker Farm, Inc's July 18, 2015 auction. The interior of both incised designs are filled with a striking, black-colored slip, possibly created by mixing manganese and cobalt. The handle terminals are highlighted in bright-blue cobalt slip. Excellent form, color, glaze treatment, and decoration. One of the finest Manhattan bird-decorated pieces we have ever handled. Tight meadering spider cracks extending from base several inches up body of jar. Additionally, three short cracks on underside, which connect to these cracks. A glazed-over base chip and a few tiny base nicks. A tiny nick on interior of rim. H 12 1/2".
