Exceptional Large-Sized Stoneware Torso Jug with Elaborate Inscription, Dated "July 31, 1866," Rock Mills, AL, late 19th or early 20th century, wheel-thrown, semi-ovoid form with rounded top surmounted by a cylindrical spout and decorated with a hand-modeled and applied clay face including incised circular eyes, nostrils, and mouth. One remaining handle, the other being lost prior to the glazing process, is applied at the shoulder and forms the figure's arm with the lower terminal incised to produce a hand with fingers. The front of the vessel features applied shirt buttons, a crossed necktie, and incised, curving strokes forming the lapels of the figure's coat. Surface covered in a brown Albany-slip-type glaze with greenish accents of ash or salt and incised across the front with the date and inscription, "July 31, 1866 [or 1846] / I am all ways full of / the Best old Ry(sic) whiske(sic) / i'm for free herein." Reverse bears the beginning of an inscription, which is likely the same as that on the front. It appears the jug's maker began to incise the reverse, and then decided to glaze the piece first and inscribe the front into the slip, thereby making the inscription more visible to the viewer. This large-sized work, named "Big Boy" by Wahler, survives as one of the finest later-period Alabama face vessels known, made extraordinary by its prodigious size and wonderful inscription describing its use. The overall style of the jug, including the shape of the head and its features, are related to those found on torso jugs made at the J.L. Matthews pottery in Rock Mills, Alabama, during the early 20th century. This jug was either made there or at a nearby shop clearly influenced by this maker. Its date is likely commemorative and not contemporary to the object's manufacture, possibly referring to the date of the manufacture of the whisky it held or the founding date of a local distillery. One handle lost prior to glazing. Two glazed-over spout chips and a minor post-firing spout chip. H 16 1/4".
