Extremely Rare att. William Pecker, Merrimacport, MA Stoneware Jar w/ Impressed Bird and Fish

October 22, 2016 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 69

October 22, 2016 Auction Catalog

Extremely Rare and Important Two-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Impressed Bird and Fish Motifs, attributed to William Pecker, Merrimacport, MA, early 19th century, ovoid jar with heavily-tooled shoulder, flared rim, and large-sized, semi-lunate handles; decorated on one side with a large impressed and cobalt-highlighted design of a bird with turned head, perched on a leafy branch. Reverse decorated with impressed and cobalt-highlighted design of a codfish with upward attitude. Impressed "2" on each side. The jar's form and distinctive figural designs are indicative of the work of William Pecker, the famous Merrimacport, Massachusetts potter, most well-known for his finely-glazed redware pieces. Few signed or attributed Pecker stoneware products are known. This jar, important from an historical and decorative standpoint, is the first Pecker example we have seen depicting a bird and fish on the same piece. Arguably the finest example of William Pecker stoneware to come to auction in the past many years. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, purchased by the consignor decades ago. Heavy chipping to rim and base. A small handle chip. An in-the-firing iron ping to shoulder. Some light exfoliation to surface. H 13".