STAMPED "H. SMITH & CO.", ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA DECORATED STONEWARE JAR, salt-glazed, "2" gallon capacity mark, ovoid form with rounded rim, a single lightly incised shoulder ring, and small applied tab handles. Brushed cobalt floral vine design to front, reverse featuring horizontal chain and seven three-leaf sprig "turkey foot" ornaments to shoulder, additional cobalt to handle terminals. Made for Hugh Smith (1769-1856), Wilkes Street pottery, Alexandria, VA. 1825-1830. 11 3/8" H, 6 1/4" D rim. 
Published: Wilder - Alexandria, Virginia Pottery, 1792-1876, p. 102, fig. HS011.
Literature: Wilder - Alexandria, Virginia Pottery, 1792-1876, stamp as p. 319, fig. Mk V.
Catalogue Note: Hugh Smith was born in Knutsford, England in 1769. Immigrating to America in 1795, he founded a successful china mercantile business in Alexandria that would include his nephew Thomas Smith and eventually his eldest son Hugh Charles. Smith built numerous relationships with a variety of businesses in the city including John Swann's Wilkes Street pottery. By 1817, the American economy began to wane and Swann's pottery began to struggle financially and by 1821, the Wilkes Street pottery was mortgaged to Smith for the sum of $500. In 1825, Hugh Smith became the sole owner of the business after Swann was jailed in debtors prison. Smith, never a trained artisan himself, hired skilled potters and decorators, both African American and white, to work for him at the Wilkes Street pottery including David Jarbour. By 1830, Smith relinquished managerial responsibilities at the pottery to his son Hugh Charles. Three years afterward, Hugh Charles left the pottery, returning full time to the family mercantile business. At this time, the senior Smith officially leased the Wilkes Street pottery to potter and employee B.C. Milburn and by 1841, had sold the business to Milburn. Hugh Smith died in 1856, at the age of 88.

Very good condition, having scattered chips to foot edge, and each handle with a chip(s) to ends.