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Extremely Rare Salt-Glazed Stoneware Face Jug, attributed to John A. Roberts Pottery, Cookeville, TN, Dated 1901, semi-ovoid form with individually-thrown applied pouring spouts on the front and reverse, the handle modeled in the form of an assymetrical cut branch embellished with impressed faux screw heads. Front decorated with a hand-modeled and applied clay face with pierced eyes set within almond-shaped lids, eyebrows, a small nose with curved nostrils, a wavy mouth, and small C-scroll ears. Depressions in the jug formed while the vessel was still pliable add structure to the face. Base impressed with the date, "1901." This face jug survives as one of a small group made at the John A. Roberts pottery of Cookeville, Putnam County, Tennessee during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Most notable among this body of work is one bearing the inscription, "The Hon. Fred. Dougless (sic)," and dated 1895, made to commemorate America's famous abolitionist who died the same year, setting a world auction record for Tennessee pottery in Crocker Farm, Inc's. January 2025 Carole Carpenter Wahler Collection sale, lot 5. Among several differences between this jug and the Frederick Douglass jug is the omission of an initial Albany slip coating on this example, creating a gray to light-brown color to the fired surface of the local clay. To our knowledge, this 1901 face jug and Wahler's Frederick Douglass jug are the only two examples by this maker to come to market in quite some time. A significant, recently-surfaced work in both Tennessee ceramics and American face vessels. A very thin curving crack extending from shoulder on reverse, through proper right ear of figure and stopping below proper right eye. An in-the-firing fissure to top of jug. An in-the-firing contact mark to shoulder on reverse. H 11 3/4".
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