Important and Possibly Unique One-Gallon Stoneware Syrup Jug with Incised Fish Decoration, Stamped "C. CROLIUS / MANUFACTURER. / NEW-YORK", early 19th century, squat-shaped jug with tooled shoulder and spout, the front decorated with an incised and cobalt-highlighted design of a fish with large eye, fin details, and a scallop-edged tail. Brushed cobalt highlights to maker's mark and handle terminals. While a small number of unsigned Manhattan stoneware products have survived with incised fish designs, this jug is the first signed example from this city we have seen. AS such, it may serve as a rosetta stone of sorts for attributing unsigned pieces with fish decorations to the Crolius shop. The squat form of the jug, unusual in the Crolius family's work, suggests it may have been made to hold syrup, an idea corroborated by the smell of molasses emanating from the spout. To our knowledge, only two figural-decorated examples of signed Clarkson Crolius stoneware are known: this fish jug and a bird-decorated jug, sold as lot 49 in our November 3, 2007 auction. Provenance: Robert Meltzer Collection. Excellent condition with two small base chips, some minuscule base nicks, a smooth, glazed-over in-the-firing contact mark to front, a small piece of adhered clay to right side, and two small stone pings. H 10".
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