Extremely Rare and Important Stoneware Pitcher with Incised Floral Decoration, Stamped "J. REMMEY / MANHATTAN-WELLS / NEW YORK," Manhattan, NY origin, circa 1800-1810, approximately two-gallon ovoid pitcher, featuring a rounded foot, an early-style inwardly-tapering collar with tooling at base, and a high arching handle. Front decorated with a stylized flower blossom or foliate design highlighted in dark blue, purplish-flecked slip. Handle terminals brushed with large dark blue slip circles. The brushed slip on this example appears to be a combination of cobalt and manganese or iron, a scarce mixture of colorants found on some early stoneware from the Northeast. The impressed maker's mark is additionally highlighted in this slip mixture. This pitcher is one of a small number of the form known bearing the mark of Manhattan potter, John Remmey III. It is the only signed J. REMMEY pitcher we have seen with incised decoration. An important, recently discovered example of early Manhattan stoneware. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, which descended in a North Carolina family to the consignor. Sealed spidering cracks emanating from base. Chipping to base. Wear to rim. H 12 1/2".
