Extremely Rare Two-Gallon Stoneware Jug with In-the-Round Cobalt Ship and Lighthouse Scene, Northeastern U.S. origin, probably NJ, circa 1850, cylindrical jug with semi-squared spout, decorated with an artistically-rendered, brushed design of a sailing ship at sea, situated between a rock island and a lighthouse. The entire design is depicted in a realistic style, as if the decorator copied the scene from a printed image. The ship features three masts with numerous sails, the central mast flying a flag, a bowsprit with additional sails, and a smaller flag flying at the stern. The lighthouse, which stands atop a trapezoidal base with fence, features a doorway, four windows, catwalk, and flag at its peak. Cobalt highlights appear at the capacity mark and handle terminals, the lower terminal's brushwork forming a stylized flower. Sealed crack around midsection of jug, including a few chips along the crack. A thin crack ascends from this crack and stops at the jug's shoulder. Two other thin cracks emanating from the central crack on the reverse. While not entirely clear, it appears that the jug was probably broken into two sections and reglued. Two shallow in-the-firing chips to underside at edge. A minor base chip on front. A thin crack across underside. A few in-the-firing chips to underside. H 13 1/2".
