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Extremely Rare and Important Stoneware Jar with Incised Fish Decoration, James River Valley of VA origin, second quarter 19th century, ovoid jar with triply-tooled shoulder, rounded lug handles, and flaring, flattened rim, decorated with an incised and cobalt-highlighted design of a fish with triangular fins, diagonally-slashed scales, and open mouth, in pursuit of two smaller, open-mouthed fish. This jar's form is closely-related to the work of John P. Schermerhorn, active in Richmond and Henrico County, Virginia, circa 1817 to 1850, although with a more naive quality to the handle construction. To our knowledge, only two other incised fish designs are known in James River stoneware production. One is found on a sherd with partial fish depicted, excavated at the Stephen B. Sweeney pottery in Henrico County, Virginia, an operation active from 1838 to 1863. The second adorns a jar attributed to the Benjamin DuVal pottery of Richmond, circa 1811-1817, which depicts an incised bird and fish, and was recently sold at Mebane Auction in Mebane, North Carolina. Only a small number of incised stoneware objects from this region, drawing influence from New Jersey and New York potting traditions, are known. Furthermore, figural designs executed by any method were rarely produced, a trait characteristic of Southern-made stoneware in general. As a result, the decorative technique and subject matter of the design place this jar among the most significant discoveries in James River Valley stoneware of the past two decades. A 7/8" rim chip on reverse, adjacent to a shallow 1/2" rim chip. A minor chip to interior of rim. Surface with some typical in-the-firing contact marks and some light wear. Surface of reverse with scratches. H 11 3/4".
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