Very Rare Four-Gallon Double-Handled Stoneware Jug with Alkaline Glaze, Inscribed "July 10. 1852," attributed to David Drake at Lewis Miles's Stony Bluff Manufactory, Horse Creek Valley, Edgefield District, SC, 1852, highly-ovoid jug with tooled spout and open strap handles, incised diagonally at the shoulder with the date, "July 10.1852," beside four incised punctates, denoting four gallons, and an incised horseshoe, a distinctive Drake hallmark. Surface covered in a gray-green alkaline glaze. Underside with large smeared fingerprints of Drake or another pottery worker, left when the jug was dipped in its glaze. The double-handled jug form is among the most prized in all of Edgefield stoneware production. Few examples by David Drake are known. Professionally-restored cracks to body of jug, primarily relegated to the vessel's upper half. Restoration to spout on jug's inscribed side. A small unrestored chip to molding at midsection of spout on reverse. Handles are original. One handle has a restored crack to midsection. The other appears to have restored surface line at its midsection, which is not visible on the underside of the handle. H 16 1/2".
