Rare and Important Alkaline-Glazed Stoneware Face Harvest Jug, Edgefield District, SC origin, third quarter 19th century, ovoid form with arched horizontal handle on top, the reverse with tubular pouring spout with semi-rounded mouth, decorated with a hand-modeled and applied clay face including pierced kaolin eyes set within oval lids, a Roman nose with depressed nostrils, flattened ears with applied tragi, and open mouth with numerous incised kaolin teeth. Surface covered in a streaky, olive-green alkaline glaze accented with iron flecks. Featuring a lesser-seen harvest jug form, desirable large size, and immaculate condition, this recently surfaced work is among the finest Edgefield face vessels to come to market in recent years. Of interesting note is the remarkably small hand print in alkaline glaze on the underside, suggesting that children were involved at the pottery where it was created. Provenance: Recently found in California, while the consignor was cleaning out her parents' home. The consignor's grandparents were third generation antiques dealers and collectors from New Jersey, and are believed to have acquired the jug in the 1950s or 1960s. Excellent, essentially as-made condition, remarkably surviving without any chips or cracks. H 9".
