Outstanding att. Jonathan Fenton (Boston) Stoneware Jug w/ Impressed Fish and Incised Seaweed, late 18th century

Fall 2025 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 105

Price Realized: $10,200.00

($8,500 hammer, plus 20% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: The American ceramics market frequently changes, often dramatically. Additionally, small nuances of color, condition, shape, etc. can mean huge differences in price. If you're interested in having us sell a similar item for you, please contact us here.

Auction Highlight: Fall 2025 Auction | New England Stoneware | Incised Stoneware | Massachusetts Stoneware

Fall 2025 Auction Catalog

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Outstanding Stoneware Jug with Impressed Fish and Incised Seaweed Decoration, attributed to Jonathan Fenton, Boston, MA, late 18th century, highly-ovoid jug with tooled shoulder and semi-squared spout, decorated with an impressed and cobalt-highlighted design of a detailed fish above a large incised and cobalt-highlighted seaweed motif, accented with hollow impressed circles on each leaf. Incised decoration is exceedingly rare in Fenton's work, the potter favoring his various impressed motifs to freehand images. This jug is the first example of Fenton stoneware that we have seen combining one of his classic impressed designs with hand-incised decoration. Arguably the most important Fenton fish-decorated piece that we have ever offered. Crazing to jug's neck. A long horizontal crack around much of base with a 6" Y ascending from it on front along with several small vertical cracks ascending from it. Base was not reglued. A small spout chip. Some in-the-firing flaws to surface. H 14 1/2".