Possibly Unique One-Gallon Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Jar with Coggled Designs, Stamped "MADE.BY / W. RICKETTS / SOUTH AMBOY", New Jersey origin, early 19th century, ovoid jar with applied lug handles and coggled decoration to rim and shoulder, featuring the impressed and cobalt-highlighted maker's mark, "MADE.BY / W. RICKETTS / SOUTH AMBOY". Brushed cobalt highlights to handle terminals. This previously-undocumented jar reveals the strong influence of potters Thomas Warne and Joshua Letts of South Amboy, New Jersey, in its distinctive signature and coggled decoration. Ricketts' role in the South Amboy, NJ potting tradition is currently unknown. He is not mentioned in M. Lelyn Branin's authoritative book, The Early Makers of Handcrafted Earthenware and Stoneware in Central and Southern New Jersey, and this jar is the first example we have seen bearing his maker's mark. Currently, no evidence can be found linking this maker to the Ricketts potters of Springfield, Ohio and Maysville, Kentucky. An outstanding example of early New Jersey stoneware. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, purchased by the consignor decades ago. Excellent overall condition with a faint 4" surface line on reverse, not visible on interior, and a 1/2" in-the-firing chip to top of rim. H 9 3/4".
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