Very Fine Quart-Sized Stoneware Jug with Cobalt Watchspring Decoration, Manhattan, NY or Cheesequake, NJ origin, circa 1750-1780, ovoid jug with tooled spout and heavily-ribbed handle, decorated on the front with a thickly-slip-trailed "watchspring" motif including scalloped embellishments above and below. Slip-trailed watchspring decoration emanating from the base of the handle. Cobalt highlights to handle terminals. The color of this jug indicates a possibly Manhattan, NY origin. The form of the spout, which includes a long slender neck and tooling near the top, indicates this jug was made earlier than many of the surviving watchspring-decorated pieces known. This spout construction can be observed on the iconic "I. Havens" presentation jug, attributed to John Crolius, which bears the incised date, "1775. July 18.", and initials, "I.C.", and is currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan. The size, color, and condition of this example are noteworthy. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, purchased by the consignor decades ago. Base chips. A minor spout chip on reverse. Minor wear to lower handle terminal. H 9".