Outstanding Twelve-Gallon Alkaline-Glazed Stoneware Jar, Inscribed "Lm / Aug 18 - 1857 / Dave," David Drake at Lewis Miles's Stony Bluff Manufactory, Horse Creek Valley, Edgefield District, SC, 1857, ovoid jar with broad, semi-rounded rim and long, flattened handles, incised across the front in large script, "Lm / Aug 18 - 1857 / Dave." Reverse incised with two large slash marks, a hallmark used by Drake, flanked by two rows of six punctates, denoting twelve gallons. The jar's impressive handles, produced from flattened, curved, and grooved slabs of clay, measuring roughly seven inches long each to account for the monumental size of the vessel. The surface is covered in a reddish-brown alkaline glaze with darker runs and raised, gray-green accents. Its dynamic, tactile surface was likely created from pouring the alkaline glaze over the pot as opposed to dipping the vessel, a treatment seen in other Drake vessels of exceptionally large size. Compounding the appeal of this jar is the remarkable clarity, depth, and size of its inscription, spanning the majority of the front shoulder. Elevated by its exceptional size, large inscription with signature, and wonderful striated alkaline glaze, this work ranks among the better examples of David Drake stoneware to come to auction in recent years. Exhibited: "Edgefield Pottery from the Ferrell Collection," Morris Museum of Art (Augusta, Georgia), 2012. Provenance: Originally found at the Tupper Barnett House in Washington, Georgia; The Ferrell Collection; Wooten and Wooten Auction of the Ferrell Collection, January 25, 2014, lot 20. Two large rim chips, measuring approximately 3 1/2" and 3 3/8". An approximately 9" hairline from rim. H 19 1/4" ; Diam. (at opening) 12 3/4".
Special Note: Due to this object's large size, we are unable to ship it using our normal in-house shipping service. It must either be picked up by the high bidder, or special arrangements must be made by the high bidder for pick up and / or shipping by a third party. If you have any questions, please contact us; we are certainly able to recommend options for third party shippers ahead of time that you can contact for a quote.
