Outstanding Small-Sized Stoneware Presentation Jar with Incised Bird Decoration, Inscribed "R. MORFORD," attributed to Nicholas Van Wickle, Old Bridge or Manasquan, NJ, circa 1820's, ovoid jar with squared rim and ribbed lug handles, decorated with an incised and cobalt-highlighted design of a bird with turned head, perched on a leafy branch. Shoulder incised in large, cobalt-highlighted letters, "R. MORFORD," with incised slashes within the lettering. The "R. MORFORD" on this jar may refer to Rebecca West Morford, of Shrewsbury, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Born in 1782, she married Thomas Morford in 1801 and died in 1858; notably, her daughter, Meribah West Morford, married a Jacob Van "Winkle," and while no immediate familial link to Nicholas has been found, there could be family ties between the Van Wickles of Old Bridge and the Morford family. Featuring exceptional size, strong decoration, and a rare presentation inscription, this jar is among the finer examples of early New Jersey stoneware that we have offered in recent years. Excellent condition with the following minor flaws: a glazed-over 1" flake to one handle, a glazed-over 1/2" chip and small chip to opposite handle, a faint 1 1/8" surface crack to exterior of rim, and a minor glazed-over base nick. H 7 3/4".
