Exceedingly Rare and Important Large-Sized Redware Presentation Jug, Inscribed "M A CAIN / Jug Maid(sic) / by A B CAIN 1869," Abraham B. Cain at the Cain Pottery, Sullivan County, TN, circa 1840-1880, highly-ovoid jug with footed base, wide, tooled mouth, ribbed handle with triply-depressed terminal, and shoulder decorated with incised with wavy combing between two horizontal lines. Incised in script below the handle with the presentation inscription, "M A CAIN / Jug Maid(sic) / by A B CAIN 1869." Surface covered in a sporadic lead-based glaze, possibly tinted with iron. One of only a few signed examples of Cain pottery known, this iconic work was made by Abraham B. Cain for his nephew, Martin A. Cain, possibly as a wedding gift for the latter's marriage in October of 1869. Its highly unusual inscription places it among the most significant examples of Sullivan County, Tennessee pottery to be documented. Exhibited: Made in East Tennessee: Pottery, Museum of East Tennessee History, 1996; Tennessee Turned, Earthenware and Stoneware Made in East Tennessee 1800-1900, Museum of East Tennessee History, May 16-October 30, 2011. Literature: Illustrated in Great Road Style: The Decorative Arts Legacy of Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee, p. 134. Illustrated in Wahler, Tennessee Turned, Earthenware and Stoneware Made in East Tennessee 1800-1900, Part One, p. 150, fig. 164 and p. 220, fig. 164. Provenance: In her notes, Wahler states the following about this jug: "Another great messenger from the past. I believe this jug was made for Martin on the occasion of his marriage." A note written by Wahler that is attached to the jug reads, "Brian Cullity bought this Presentation Jug on his way out of Tennessee years ago. He sold it and a small Cain jar to the Stradlings. He was able to buy them back for me for the 1996 pottery exhibit. It is a very rare piece of TN pottery. I had the rim repaired and the crack around the base minimized in 2009. Exhibited again in 2011 in Tennessee Turned. Should probably be in a museum on(?) restoration. 'M A CAIN jug Maid[sic] by A B CAIN 1869.' " Profuse spalling and/or wear to glaze. The glaze was applied in an incomplete, splashed fashion, leaving unglazed areas to surface, as-made. A small amount of professional restoration to spout. Professional restoration, primarily only coloring, to a long horizontal crack at base. A few minor base chips. H 15 1/2".
