Rare Thomas Commeraw Stoneware Oyster Jar, G. W. & CO. / WARTER STREET / N. YORK

July 16, 2016 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 5

Price Realized: $1,150.00

($1,000 hammer, plus 15% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: This result is 8 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.

July 16, 2016 Auction Catalog

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Very Rare Stoneware Oyster Jar, Stamped "G.W. AND. Co. No. 202 / WARTER STREET / N. YORK", attributed to Thomas Commeraw, Manhattan, New York, circa 1805, cylindrical form with recessed rim, featuring the deeply-impressed advertising for "G.W. AND. Co. No. 202 / WARTER STREET / N. YORK". The oyster merchant advertising, "G.W. AND. CO.", is a decidedly rarer mark than the already-rare "Daniel Johnson" stamp, a few examples of which we have sold over the years. This jar, the first example bearing this particular merchant mark we have ever offered, carries an interesting provenance, which indicates Commeraw oyster jars once traveled the Atlantic on ships to South America. (Note the misspelling of Water Street.) A wonderful example of Manhattan stoneware with a great history, made by the African-American stoneware potter, Thomas Commeraw. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, collected in Guyana, South America, in the 1970's. A curving crack from rim on front, ending near base on right side of jar. A few post-firing rim chips and two minor, glazed-over rim chips. A 5/8" base chip and a few other lesser base chips. H 5 1/2".