Exceedingly Rare Painted Stoneware Face Jug attrib. Hewell Family, Gillsville, GA, c1920

Summer 2025 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 385

Summer 2025 Auction Catalog

Exceedingly Rare Painted Stoneware Face Jug, attributed to the Hewell Family, Gillsville, GA, circa 1920, ovoid jug with tubular spout, decorated with a hand-modeled and applied clay face including hollow eyes, incised eyebrows, ears, small nose, and open mouth. Much of the general structure of the face is formed by applying a large clay slab to the curved front of the jug, which was then sculpted to form the face's jawline and chin. Slightly-raised areas of applied clay create the figure's cheeks. A carved section at the forehead with additional applied clay above delineates a hairline for the head and heavy incising to the upper half of the jug forms the figure's hair. An Albany slip glaze applied to the upper half of the jug highlights the hair down to the sideburns. Yellow and red paint applied to the face suggest the figure may represent a Native American, a rarely-seen subject in American face vessels made prior to the late 20th century. Additional traces of yellow paint appear at the ears and neck. Possibly one of only two face jugs of this style known by the Hewells. Literature: A related face jug is illustrated in Wadsworth, Missing Pieces: Georgia Folk Art (1770-1976), p. 98, fig. 91. Missing handle. Chips to spout, ears, and nose. A few minor in-the-making flakes to hair. Paint wear. Some surface wear to jug on reverse. H 10 3/4".