Extremely Rare Stoneware Jug with Incised Fish and Floral Decorations, Stamped "SH. ADDINGTON. UTICA", New York State origin, circa 1830-1838, approximately three-gallon, highly-ovoid jug with tapered spout and applied handle, decorated with incised and cobalt-highlighted designs of a fish and pinwheel with floral tips flanking the maker's mark of Samuel H. Addington of Utica, New York. Additional incised floral and foliate motifs to front. Large brushed cobalt tulip with spots below fish. Maker's mark surrounded by an impressed star border. Additional impressed star decoration to shoulder and surrounding the top of the spout. According to the book, Our County and Its People: A Descriptive Work on Oneida County, New York by Daniel Elbridge Wager, Addington would form a business relationship with potter, Noah White, and his son, Nicholas A. White, in 1838. The Whites would soon acquire Addington's pottery, and establish their long-standing Utica operation on this site. Attesting to the rarity of signed Addington stoneware is the fact that this jug is the first marked example of his work we have ever offered. While other signed pieces of this quality may exist, this jug is the finest we are aware of. Provenance: This jug includes a Sotheby's auction tag, listing it as lot #791. Its sale date is unknown. Excellent, essentially as-made condition. An in-the-firing recessed contact mark to side of jug. A shallow 1 3/4" flake to underside at edge, probably in-the-firing. Two minor spout nicks, one of which is glazed over. A few minor in-the-firing base nicks, most of which are glazed over. H 14 1/4".
