Extremely Rare and Important Five-Quart Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Jug with Incised Bird and Floral Motifs, attributed to Chester Webster, Randolph County, NC, mid 19th century, ovoid jug with squared spout, grooved handle, and incised straight and wavy line treatment to shoulder, decorated on each side with an incised design of a bird flanking a central incised floral motif, each highlighted in cobalt slip. One bird is depicted on a branch with upward gaze (as if staring at the jug's spout), depicted with a crest, ringed neck, fine wing detail, and heavily-feathered body; the other is depicted with forward-facing stance crest, ringed neck with vertical striping, heart-shaped wing treatment, and heavily-feathered body, standing on a grassy mound. The central floral motif depicts a frill-edged blossom with delicately-incised interior or possibly a group of conjoined leaves. The base of the handle features an incised border with vertical and horizontal slashes within. Both terminals of the handle are brushed over in cobalt slip. Wonderfully-decorated with two different bird motifs, this jug is elevated by its use of cobalt slip decoration, rarely seen in Webster's work. The quality of craftsmanship of this jug and its decorative appeal led it to be chosen for the cover of Quincy Scarborough's definitive work on the Webster family's stoneware production in North Carolina. Literature: Illustrated on the cover of Scarborough, North Carolina Decorated Stoneware: The Webster School of Folk Potters, first edition; illustrated in Scarborough, second edition, p. 56, fig. 56. Professional restoration to most of spout. Reverse of spout intact with no restoration involving its juncture with the handle. A 1 1/8" flake to underside at edge. Two minor chips to underside at edge. H 11 1/4".
