Exceedingly Rare and Important Stoneware Jar with Scalloped Rim and Cobalt Floral Decoration, Incised "J.Q. Adams / Wm. A. Gay," Stamped "[W] * GAY / UTICA," NY State origin, circa 1828, ovoid jar with tooled shoulder, applied lug handles, and outstanding scallop-carved rim, the front decorated with a brushed leaning floral motif surrounded by numerous dashes of cobalt. Incised above with the cobalt-highlighted inscription, "J.Q. Adams / Wm. A. Gay." Impressed on the rim with the maker's stamp, "* GAY / UTICA," lacking the "W" due to the shape of the rim. This jar was made to commemorate the sixth President of the United States, John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), who served from 1825 to 1829. Son of founding father, John Adams, he began his political career as a Federalist, but won the presidency as a Democratic-Republican and was later affiliated with the Whig Party. Based on the dating of Gay's work (see Ketchum, Potters and Potteries of New York State [1987], pp. 287-289), this jar was probably made during the run-up to the 1828 presidential election, in which Andrew Jackson defeated the incumbent Adams. Relatively few examples of American stoneware with president's names have survived, this example produced relatively early in the country's history. Provenance: Crocker Farm, Inc., Fall 2021 Auction, lot 90. Excellent condition with a 1 1/2" vertical line at base, a tiny nick to interior of rim, and minor wear to interior of rim. H 9".
