Very Rare Mobile, Alabama Stoneware Advertising Jug

Summer 2021 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 96

Price Realized: $1,560.00

($1,300 hammer, plus 20% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: This result is 3 years old, and the American ceramics market frequently changes. Additionally, small nuances of color, condition, shape, etc. can mean huge differences in price. If you're interested in having us sell a similar item for you, please contact us here.

Summer 2021 Auction Catalog

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Very Rare One-Gallon Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Jug with Mobile, AL Advertising, Stamped "WOODRUFF & WATKINS / DRUGGISTS MOBILE," Northeastern U.S. origin, second quarter 19th century, highly-ovoid jug with tooled, semi-rounded spout, decorated with a brushed oval surrounding the mark of Mobile, Alabama merchants, M. M. Woodruff and R. L. Watkins, who operated in the 1830's and 1840's. The first example of stoneware bearing this stamp that we have offered. Literature: For a closely-related jug, see Brackner, Alabama Folk Pottery, p. 48. The illustrated jug, the same maker as this example, is attributed in Alabama Folk Pottery to Baldwin County, AL. However, our opinion is that these pieces were made in the Northeastern U.S. for this specific merchant firm in Mobile. Excellent condition with some light staining to surface and a 1 5/8" line to underside. H 11 1/4".