Rare Three-Gallon Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Jar with Impressed Drape-and-Tassel Decoration, Stamped "COMMERAW'S/ STONEWARE / N. YORK / CORLEARS / HOOK," Manhattan, NY origin, circa 1805, ovoid jar with footed base, tooled shoulder, flared rim, and open loop handles, decorated on the front and reverse with an impressed and cobalt-highlighted drape-and-tassel motif. Front impressed with the cobalt-highlighted maker's mark, "COMMERAWS / STONEWARE." Reverse impressed with the cobalt-highlighted words, "N. YORK / CORLEARS / HOOK." Brushed cobalt highlights to handle terminals. A fine example from Commeraw's middle-period, this jar features a desirable complete stamp of the potter's maker's mark in a total of five lines on the front and reverse, a treatment seldom seen. Previously owned by noted American ceramics author and collector, Georgeanna Greer, this jar set a possible auction record price for a Commeraw jar when it sold at Harmer Rooke Galleries in January 1993 for $4,125. Combined with its outstanding provenance, this jar ranks as one of the finest of Commeraw's standardly-produced vessels that we have offered. Literature: Illustrated on the cover of Husfloen, Antique Trader Stoneware and Blue & White Pottery Price Guide. Illustrated in Greer, American Stonewares: The Art & Craft of Utilitarian Potters, pg. 34. Illustrated in Zipp, Commeraw's Stoneware: The Life and Work of the First African-American Pottery Owner, pg. 98. Provenance: Ex-Georgeanna Greer Collection. Glazed-over base chip and a few minor post-firing base chips. Crazing to surface, a small amount of which is visible on interior. Hairlines to underside, continuing onto base area of jar. A small rim chip and 3" hairline from rim on proper left side of jar. A minor chip to top of rim. In-the-firing contact marks to front. H 13".
