Exceedingly Rare and Important Stoneware Flask with Profuse Incised Bird and Flowering Urn Decorations, attributed to the Webster Family, Hartford, CT, early 19th century, wheel-thrown flask with flattened sides and tooled spouts, decorated on one side with a skillfully incised bird perched on the stem of a tulip plant. Bird is embellished with a large crest, neck ring, and heavy feather detail to the tail and body. Tulip plant is embellished with incised strokes within the blossom and leaves, as well as numerous small strokes along the stem. Small X-shaped strokes above the blossom probably represent insects on which the bird is feeding. Reverse side of flask decorated with a large incised design of a tulip plant extending from an urn with scrolled handles. Leaves detailed with incised veins, blossom and stem accented with short incised strokes, and urn embellished with incised crosshatching. Edges of flask decorated with incised and cobalt-highlighted vines. Neck decorated with incised drape and dot designs underscored by incised crescents. The striking similarity of details seen in this bird design to those found in the work of prolific Hartford-trained potter, Chester Webster, during his later years in North Carolina make an attribution to the Webster family possible. One of the finest stoneware flasks known. Purchased from a house in the Northeastern U.S. approximately thirty years ago, and never before offered for public sale. We believe this is one of the most important examples of early American stoneware to be offered at auction in the past few years. Mint condition. H 6 1/2".
