Outstanding Glazed Redware Flask with Incised Decoration of an African-American Man's Bust, Fish, Bird, and Flower, Incised "Flow's Flask / sip/ me," American, circa 1790-1840, wheel-thrown, flattened form with tooled shoulder and semi-rounded spout, incised on one side with the inscription, "Flow's / Flask / sip / me." Decorated on the reverse with an incised decoration of an African-American man's bust in profile above an upswept tulip. This bust decoration faces a design of a chicken or other long-necked bird along the edge of the flask. The opposite edge of the flask features an incised design of a fish. Surface covered in a dark-brown, lead-and-manganese glaze. Exceptional subject matter, decorated in a manner more reminiscent of early Northeastern stoneware. This flask is the first example of American-made redware that we have seen bearing a drawn depiction of an African-American. Provenance: Ex-Norman C. Heckler & Company, Woodstock Valley, CT. A 5/8" chip to side of spout. Two in-the-firing contact marks to one side. A few minor base chips. H 5 5/8".
