Extremely Rare Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Presentation Flowerpot, Incised "MN" and Dated 1815, attributed to Nathan Clark, Sr., Athens, NY, 1815, flare-rimmed pot with concave rim molding and original drain hole in underside, featuring the finely-incised and cobalt-highlighted initials, "MN," within a brushed cobalt wreath. The brushed cobalt date, "1815," appears below. The initialed inscription on the flowerpot possibly refers to a member of the Nichols family; Clark married into this family and the well-known Poughkeepsie potter, William Nichols, apprenticed to Clark in Athens. A likely candidate for the flowerpot's owner is Mary Nichols, who was living in Athens during the time period and may have been the aunt of Clark's wife. Only a small number of examples of Clark's presentation work from this early period have survived, all inscribed with related finely-penned initials. This flowerpot is rare for the salt-glazed stoneware medium as well as extremely rare for its age, being among the earliest dated American stoneware flowerpots in existence. Provenance: Warren F. Hartmann Collection. A 1 3/4" in-the-firing iron ping/chip to rim on reverse. An additional 1 1/4" rim chip. Small chips to molding below rim. A few small base chips. Some surface crazing to underside, not visible on interior and likely in-the-firing. A small in-the-firing ping below date. Some as-made mottling to surface. H 7 1/2" ; Diam. (at rim) 7 5/8".
