Exceedingly Rare and Important Stoneware Presentation Pitcher with Elaborate Cobalt Decoration, Incised "John Spuck / Aug. 8th / 1874," attributed to Richard C. Remmey, Philadelphia, PA, highly-ovoid pitcher with footed base and tooled collar, featuring the incised and cobalt-highlighted inscription, "John Spuck / Aug. 8th / 1874", flanked by bruhed tulips and surrounded by various foliate brushwork. Collar decorated with heavy brushed foliate designs. Handle incised with the cobalt-highlighted inscription, "J.S. / 1874". Underside incised in the fine script with the large inscription, "John Spuck / Aug. 8th 1874 / Phila.". This lot includes John Spuck's white ironstone occupational shaving mug, inscribed "John Spuck", with orange banding at the shoulder, depicting a blacksmith with apron, hammering a piece of metal upon an anvil. A fiery furnace is visible in the background with a metal rod being heated. Ahead of the blacksmith is a group of wagon wheels. John Spuck is listed in the 1880 Federal Census as a 37-year-old blacksmith living in Philadelphia. This pitcher's profuse incised inscriptions, ornamenting the vessel's front, handle, and underside, is noteworthy. The inclusion of Spuck's European-made shaving mug is most unusual and offers insight into where a household's different pottery forms were purchased. A phenomenal Philadelphia ceramic offering. Pitcher in very nice condition with a 1 1/2" in-the-firing chip to side of handle, a tiny rim chip, and a minor line at base. Mug in excellent condition with one base chip. H (of pitcher) 9 3/4" ; H (of mug) 3 3/4".
