Very Rare Stoneware Pitcher with Elaborate Incised Floral Decoration, Manhattan, NY origin, probably Crolius family, late 18th century, highly-ovoid pitcher with short collar, the front decorated with an incised design, a stem bearing several leaves and a highly unusual scallop-edged blossom. Profuse incised wavy line decoration accents the interiors of the blossom, the stem, and the leaves. Brushed cobalt highlights to handle terminals. On this example, the decorator has cleverly chosen to embellish the large leaves at the base of the stem in opposite styles: one with cobalt bordering a "hollow" interior, and the other with cobalt highlighting the interior of the leaf, leaving a hollow border. Various characteristics of the design, including this use of incising within incising, as well as the employment of a two-pronged stylus to form the central stem, indicate a late 18th century origin. Among the earliest and most imaginatively-decorated Manhattan stoneware pitchers that we have seen, featuring excellent color typical of the period. Excellent condition with minor rim chips and shallow chipping to areas of pitcher's bottom edge. H 13".
