STAMPED "H.C. SMITH / ALEXA / D[C]", ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA STONEWARE JAR, salt-glazed, "2" gallon capacity mark, ovoid form with rounded rim, double incised shoulder ring, and applied arched tab handles. Brushed cobalt horizontal foliate decoration to one side and chain six-link design to shoulder extending from handle to handle on reverse, additional cobalt at handle terminals. Made for Hugh Charles Smith (1804-1854) at the Wilkes Street Pottery, Alexandria, VA. 1831-1847. 10" H, 6 1/4" D rim.
Literature: Parallels Wilder - Alexandria, Virginia Pottery, 1792-1876, p. 141, figs. HCS020 and HCS020a.
Catalogue Note: Wilder states in his book Alexandria, Virginia Pottery, 1792-1876, that the chain link decoration was said to have been applied by enslaved workers at the pottery.

Very good condition, having a flake and a minor chip to foot edge, one handle with elongated chip, and remaining handle with flake.