Extremely Rare Salt-Glazed Stoneware Jar, Stenciled "SOUTHERN STONEWARE POTTERY," attributed to the Parr Pottery, Richmond, VA, circa 1890, approximately one-gallon, ovoid jar with squared rim and Albany-slip-glazed interior, the front stenciled in cobalt within a circular cartouche "SOUTHERN STONEWARE POTTERY". This previously-undocumented mark would have been used during the final years of David Parr, Jr's pottery in Richmond, indicated by the Albany-slip-glazed interior and use of stenciling, both characteristics of late 19th stoneware moving toward mass production. A late 1850s to early 1860s newspaper advertisement states that Parr referred to his potting firm, established with merchant, Thomas W. Keesee, as the Southern Stoneware Pottery. This jar represents the first known example bearing this mark, and is to be considered an important new discovery in Virginia stoneware. Wide inverted Y-shaped crack on side of jar. Additional thinner cracks on underside and at base. Faint hairline from rim on reverse. Rim secured with wire. H 8 3/8".
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