RARE JAMES RIVER MADE PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA MERCHANT'S DECORATED STONEWARE JUG, salt-glazed, approximately two-gallon capacity, ovoid form with distinctive double-ring mouth, two incised shoulder rings, applied strap handle with finger-impressed lower terminal. Incised "Myrick & Murt / Pebg" in script at shoulder. Brushed cobalt winged flower design repeated three times, additional cobalt highlighting inscription and to handle terminals. Attributed to Thomas Amos (1786-1822) and/or Samuel Frayser (c. 1787-1849), possibly working at the Richard Randolph Stoneware Manufactory, Four Mile Creek, Henrico County, VA. Circa 1820. 13 3/4" HOA.
Literature: See Jenkins, Ceramics in Virginia, p. 97, fig. 2.45 for a shard recovered from the 1820 Amos Pottery site that bears the exact decoration seen on the present jug.
Provenance: From a Richmond, VA private collection.
Crocker Farm, Spring 2020, lot 40.
Catalogue Note: The present jug represents one of the earliest pieces of advertising pottery recorded in Virginia. Merchant John Myrick is was located on Old St. in Petersburg as early as 1823. John Myrick was recorded as owning four slaves in the 1820 Federal census for Petersburg. The identity of his partner Murt has not been established.
Excellent visual condition having professional restoration to handle and mouth. Manufacturing flaws including indentations to shoulder and stone pop, as made.