Exceptional N. CLARK & CO. / LYONS / 1827 Stoneware Jar w/ Elaborate Incised Bird Decoration

Spring 2021 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 49

Spring 2021 Auction Catalog

Exceptional Three-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Large Incised Bird Decoration and Cobalt 1827 Date, Stamped "N. CLARK & CO. / LYONS," New York State origin, 1827, highly-ovoid jar with applied lug handles and tooling to shoulder and rim, decorated with a large incised design of a swell-bodied, preening bird with crest, turned head, and long tail, perched on a leaf. Decoration includes an oval flanked by impressed circles forming a ring on the bird's neck as well as an impressed circle forming its eye. The design features unusual cobalt-slip highlighting in the form of solid cobalt brushwork to the body, neck, and legs, overlain with bolder cobalt spots. A leafy branch, closely-related to Clark's well-known wreath designs from this period, appears to the right of the bird. The reverse features the cobalt date, "1827." Cobalt brushwork adorns the jar's handle terminals. The size, attitude, and dramatic cobalt spotting of the bird design, rank it among this finest incised designs from Lyons, New York that we have offered. Excellent condition with only minor flaws, including a semi-circular surface line to rim on reverse, a small rim chip on reverse, a minor glazed-over rim chip, minor wear to inner rim for lid, and a few minor in-the-firing iron pings. H 11".