Exceptional Three-Gallon Stoneware Jug with Impressed Decoration, Stamped "COMMERAWS / STONEWARE / CORLEARS / HOOK / N. YORK," Thomas W. Commeraw, early 19th century, highly ovoid jug with footed base, heavily tooled spout with broad, semi-rounded mouth, and heavily ribbed handle, decorated at the shoulder with two conjoined rows of impressed and cobalt-highlighted drape-and-tassel motifs, referred to as Commeraw's "clamshell motif," flanked by additional vertically impressed drapes. Impressed below with the cobalt-highlighted maker's mark, "COMMERAW.S / STONEWARE / CORLEARS / HOOK / N. YORK." Brushed cobalt highlights to handle terminals. This jug is among the largest documented examples of Commeraw's stoneware featuring his coveted five-lined maker's mark. Relatively few examples of his work are known with this elaborate stamped signature. The jug exhibits the fine, whitish-gray coloring associated with a small group of extravagantly stamped three-gallon jugs, regarded as Commeraw's masterworks. The beautiful clay used may have been reserved for the potter's more ambitious creations. Provenance: Purchased decades ago from Samuel Herrup, Sheffield, MA. Heavy chipping to foot. Tight lines to underside, forming a thin crack, which diagonally ascends base of jug approximately 4 1/2". Some typical in-the-firing flaws to surface, including a 3" slightly recessed in-the-firing contact mark to reverse. H 16 1/2".
