Exceptional Four-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Profuse Two-Color Slip Floral Decoration, attributed to Collin Rhodes, Edgefield District, SC, circa 1850, highly-ovoid jar with tooled shoulder, semi-rounded rim, and applied lug handles, decorated on one side with a large, slip-trailed kaolin design of a two-stemmed flowering plant with broad leaves and fan-shaped blossoms, heavily-highlighted in iron slip. Reverse with a different, two-color-slip design of a flower with broad leaves and fan-shaped petals emanating from a daisy-shaped blossom. Decoration is applied against a gray-green to olive alkaline glaze with attractive glaze runs throughout. Incised under one handle with four vertical slash marks, presumably indicating four gallons. This jar is noteworthy in its lavish, oversized slip decoration, which extends nearly top-to-bottom on the front and reverse. The visual appeal of the jar is compounded by its wonderful, rotund form. Arguably the most strikingly-decorated example of alkaline-glazed stoneware that we have ever offered and one of the finest examples of Collin Rhodes pottery to come to auction in recent years. Provenance: Purchased by the consignor several years ago at an estate auction in Virginia. Very nice condition. Hairlines to underside, some of which continue as faint, barely visible lines extending partway up body of jar. These include one line visible on interior and partially visible on exterior, which extends from underside to shoulder of jar. Opposite side of jar with a 4 1/2" hairline from rim. Some additional surface lines to interior, not visible on exterior. Some wear to slip. H 13 1/2".
