Outstanding Four-Handled Alkaline-Glazed Stoneware Jar with Iron Slip Foliate Decoration, attributed to Thomas Chandler, Edgefield District, SC, circa 1845, ovoid jar with wide mouth, thin, semi-rounded rim, and four arched lug handles applied around the shoulder; decorated with slip-trailed iron slip foliate motifs four times around the shoulder and further decorated with upswept iron slip swag motifs below each handle, all against an olive-colored, alkaline-glazed ground. Measuring roughly eight gallons in capacity, this jar is elevated by its rare four-handled construction, a treatment typically found on vessels somewhat larger than this example. According to Philip Wingard in his Ceramics in America 2013 article, "From Baltimore to the South Carolina Backcountry: Thomas Chandler's Influence on 19th-Century Stoneware," the decoration around its shoulder is associated with earlier-period pieces produced by Chandler in Edgefield, prior to working with Reverend John Trapp and prior to the use of his iconic "CHANDLER MAKER" stamp. A closely-related jar illustrated in fig. 30 of this article is dated to 1845. Variants of these motifs can even be traced to slip-trailed cobalt designs produced in 1820s Baltimore, Maryland, where Chandler learned the trade. A significant recent discovery of this famous Southern potter's work, distinguished by its wonderful form, strong decoration, and exemplary condition. Literature: For more information on Chandler and his production, see Wingard, "From Baltimore to the South Carolina Back Country: Thomas Chandler's Influence on 19th-Century Stoneware," Ceramics in America 2013. Provenance: Recently surfaced in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. Excellent condition with a few minor base chips. The survival of this jar without a single crack or a chip to the rim or handles is noteworthy for pieces of this origin. H 15" ; Diam. (at rim) 11 5/8".
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.
