Brown-glazed Stoneware Face Jug

Description:

Brown-glazed Stoneware Face Jug, southern United States, third quarter 19th century, with applied finger handle, hand-modeled facial features, and eleven individually placed kaolin teeth, ht. 7 in.

Note: A copy of a typewritten and undated note that has remained with the piece for some time reads, "The little brown "Rum Jug" with a face was found on the Harrison-Hamilton Plantation, 12 miles to the South of Fernandina Beach, Florida about 1950. The Plantation was a Spanish land grant to the Harrison-Hamilton families during the 1700s and maintained until 1860 approximately 500 slaves. Charles Engles, of Bushnell, Florida sets an age of 200 years and states that 'without doubt it came to the plantation either with a slave trader from the Carribbean [sic] or in the possession of a slave. The present glaze is the origional [sic].'" While the Harrison-Hamilton family provenance is likely accurate, recent scholarship puts the year of origin of this jug somewhere closer to 1870, made in the tradition of other, slightly earlier jugs known to have been made by slaves.
Estimate $2,000-3,000

Repaired chip to the mouth of the jug, tiny chips on high points of ears, the inside of the proper right eye, left nostril, and left corner of mouth. Light soiling overall.


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

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