Rare and Important Four-Gallon Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Jar, Stamped Twice "S. LOY", Solomon Loy, Alamance County, NC, circa 1830, narrow, ovoid jar with concave rim molding and heavily-ribbed, open-strap handles with depressed terminals, each side of jar impressed on the shoulder with the maker's mark, "S. LOY". Brushed cobalt highlights to maker's marks and handle terminals. This jar exhibits an outstanding and rare form with open handles closely-related to those seen on redware sugar jars from the St. Asaph's school in which Loy was trained. Typical signed or attributed Loy jars feature thick lug handles attached completely to the body of the vessel. Additionally, this jar is one of a small number of stoneware pieces by this potter known with cobalt decoration. The vast majority of his pieces lack any slip application, instead relying on ash and salt drips from the firing to accent the vessels' surfaces. A few different impressed maker's marks were used on Solomon Loy's stoneware products. While his stamps were typically made from printer's type, this stamp features cruder letters carved by hand. The early-style form of the jar and simple craftsmanship of the stamp strongly suggest this jar was made in the formative years of Loy's stoneware operation. An important work by one of North Carolina's most admired potters, known for his artistry in both stoneware and redware mediums. In-the-firing contact marks to surface. Rim chips. A shallow and narrow 1 1/8" handle chip. Light wear to opposite handle. An approximately 4" surface line to shoulder, not visible on interior. A 1 1/8" hairline in rim. A 3" in-the-firing hairline on underside, continuing a few inches onto base. H 15 1/2".
