Very Fine Early Manhattan Stoneware Jug with Incised Bird Decoration

November 3, 2018 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 96

Price Realized: $2,478.00

($2,100 hammer, plus 18% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: This result is 6 years old, and the American ceramics market frequently changes. Additionally, small nuances of color, condition, shape, etc. can mean huge differences in price. If you're interested in having us sell a similar item for you, please contact us here.

November 3, 2018 Auction Catalog

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Fine and Scarce Two-Gallon Stoneware Jug with Incised Bird Decoration, Manhattan, NY, late 18th century, ovoid jug with heavily-tooled spout, decorated with a large incised design of a bird perched on a stylized branch. Decoration includes a large incised eye to the bird and incised feather details to the body, wing, tail, and rump. Additional incised slashes appear on the stylized branch below. A brushed, tassel-shaped cobalt design appears to the bird's right and cobalt brushwork highlights the handle terminals. The incised decoration is highlighted in two types of slip: cobalt to the majority of the bird and branch and an unusual light blue-green slip to the bird's wing and top of the branch. The form, color, and spout construction of this jug, indicate it was made in Manhattan, NY during the late 18th century. A relatively small number of Manhattan stoneware pieces with incised bird decorations are known, and most or all, based on their forms or maker's marks, were made in the early 19th century. This jug is, therefore,among the earliest documented bird designs known on an example of Manhattan stoneware. Its use of two-color slip decoration is modeled after 18th century Westerwald stoneware. Such treatments would essentially end in Manhattan shortly after the first decade of the 19th century. A restored area to right of bird. A long crack extending from reverse onto front shoulder of jug, over bird, and towards midsection on right side of jug, where it forms a fork. A tight horizontal crack through handle. Minor in-the-firing crazing to base. A 1 1/8" in-the-firing flake to spout.