Rare and Fine Small-Sized Stoneware Presentation Pitcher with Profuse Cobalt Freehand Decoration, Dated "August 1870," attributed to Richard C. Remmey, Philadelphia, 1870, ovoid pitcher with footed base, and narrow collar, featuring the incised and cobalt-highlighted inscription, "Fred.Fritz / August 1870," surrounded by extravagant cobalt brushwork including two tulips and a leafy plant emanating from a stylized ground and numerous horizontal, heart-shaped foliate devices. Leaf decoration to collar and accent to spout. Cobalt highlights to handle terminals. Handle incised with the cobalt-highlighted initials, "F.F." Fred Fritz must be the same Frederick Fritz who appears as a Philadelphia potter in both the 1860 federal census and 1861 Philadelphia city directory. At that time he was living near the later location of Richard C. Remmey's stoneware manufactory, the site at which this pitcher was surely made. We feel this pitcher was fashioned as a gift for Fritz--who had probably left Philadelphia by this time--as a token of affection from one Philadelphia potter to another. A number of attributes, including its size, extensive brushwork, unusual vase-like form, and inclusion of the owner's initials on the handle, make this work an outstanding example of its type. Among the most heavily-decorated Remmey presentation pitchers that we have seen. Restoration to spout. Otherwise excellent condition. H 7 1/2".
