Rare and Important Glazed Stoneware Face Jug with Quartz Eyes and Teeth, attributed to the Meaders Family, probably Cheever Meaders, Cleveland, GA, first quarter 20th century, cylindrical form with heavily-tooled shoulder and flaring spout with semi-squared mouth, decorated with a hand-modeled and applied clay face including eyelids with large pieces of quartz forming the eyes, a long nose with pinched ends, and an open mouth with thin quartz teeth. Painted red pupils to eyes and details to teeth. The left and right sides of the jug are depressed to allow the vessel to be held easily. Surface covered in a mottled, dark-brown glaze. This work follows the style of later works by Cheever Meaders in the shape of the nose and use of large quartz pieces for the eyes and thin pieces of quartz for the teeth. It is most likely an exceptionally early example of his work made during the first few decades of the 20th century at the shop established by his father, John Milton Meaders, in Cleveland, Georgia. Other possible makers include one of Cheever's several brothers who were also active at John Meaders's shop or nearby. Among the earliest face jugs that we have offered by this Southern potting dynasty, featuring the family's prized rock tooth treatment. Exhibited: Previously loaned to the York County, South Carolina Historical Society. Missing handle. A typical in-the-firing loss to each eyelid. Two chips to spout, measuring 3/4" and 3/8". A possible in-the-making loss to a fourth tooth, the end being painted red along with the midsections of the other teeth. H 6 1/2".
