Very Fine LIBERTY FOREVER (Warne & Letts, South Amboy, NJ) Stoneware Jar
Fall 2024 Stoneware Auction
Lot #: 50
Estimate: $4,000-$6,000.A Note About Estimates
Minimum Bid: $1,500.
Very Fine One-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Impressed Decoration, Stamped "LIBERTY FOREV / S.AMBOY.N.JERSY," Thomas Warne and Joshua Letts, South Amboy, NJ, early 19th century, squat-shaped, ovoid jar with heavily-tooled shoulder, squared rim, and open loop handles affixed to the rim; front impressed with a pointing hand and the inscription, "LIBERTY FOREV," all within a sawtoothed border, underscored by the town name, "S.AMBOY.N.JERSY." Midsection of jar decorated with an impressed scallop-edged drape motif, highlighted in cobalt. Heavy cobalt highlights to handle terminals. Among the best Liberty Forever jars that we have offered, this work features a desirable size and exceptional form—the first potted in this manner that we have offered—as well as an outstanding provenance of ownership by one of the great American stoneware collectors and researchers of the first half of the twentieth century. Provenance: Ex-W. Oakley Raymond Collection, including a handwritten label on the underside associated with his collection, inscribed "Warne & Letts / South Amboy-NJ." A minor base chip. Otherwise as-made condition with the following in-the-firing flaws: a 5/8" flake to top of rim, two small iron pings, and a 1 5/8" contact mark to reverse. H 7 1/2" ; Diam. (across rim) 7 5/8".
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