Exceedingly Rare and Important Manganese-Decorated Redware Jar, Stamped "Jackson," William Jackson, Saugus, Essex County, MA, circa 1811, thin-walled, ovoid jar with flared rim and footed base, the shoulder and rim embellished with an incised wavy line between two straight lines. Surface lavishly-decorated with looping manganese strokes under a heavy lead glaze. Interior covered in a solid lead-and-manganese glaze. Underside impressed "Jackson." This jar's maker, William Jackson, arrived in Saugus (then Lynn), Massachusetts from Manchester, England in 1806. Short-lived in the pottery industry at his homestead, "Jackson's Meadow," he would eventually become involved in state politics. He was elected Town Moderator of Saugus in 1815 and later served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1827-1828. Combining refined potting, exuberant brushwork, and an exceedingly rare maker's stamp, this jar ranks among the most significant examples of signed New England redware to come to auction in years. Very nice condition. A 7/8" glaze flake to midsection. Light surface wear. Three rim chips. A short horizontal surface crack to top of rim and midsection of interior of rim. H 9".
