Extremely Rare Trenton, New Jersey Redware Platter with Manganese "Oyster Shell" and Star Designs, Stamped Three Times "J. McCULLY / TRENTON," circa 1800-1850, oblong platter with rounded corners and coggled edge, decorated on the interior with a brushed design of eight "oyster shells" surrounding a central design of two "oyster shells" flanking a star. Clear lead-glazed interior. Impressed on underside three times "J. McCULLY / TRENTON". The use of a curvilinear, graduated line design resembling an oyster shell suggests this platter may have been used to serve oysters. Little is known of the redware products made at a Trenton, New Jersey, operation started by Joseph McCully (b. 1771- d. 1857), and few signed pieces are made available for sale. One surviving example is a yellow-slip-decorated plate in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This platter arguably ranks as one of the finest works of Trenton, New Jersey, redware known. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, purchased by the consignor twenty or thirty years ago. A shallow rim chip and two other spots of very minor rim wear. A 5" hairline from rim. Glazed surface survives in excellent condition with a minor flake to interior. L 19 3/4" ; W 12 1/2".
