Farrar Geddes, NY Stoneware Incised Bird Jug

Item Description

Very Rare Ovoid Stoneware Jug with Incised Bird Decorations, Stamped “W.H. FARRAR & Co. / GEDDES, NY,” circa 1860, finely potted ovoid jug with tooled spout and applied handle, decorated on the front with a large incised bird perched on a flowerhead. Bird is depicted with long, upswept tail and ringed neck, further embellished with incised feather strokes. Design is filled with bright cobalt blue. A second, similarly-styled bird with long tail and ringed neck appears on the left side of the jug holding a leaf in its beak. The quality of the incised designs on this jug suggests the decorator was quite familiar with this technique, and may have been previously employed at another New York State pottery, which incised its ware more frequently. Farrar stoneware with incised decoration is considered extremely rare. A very fine example of New York State stoneware. Stone ping to right of maker's mark. Small stone ping on front of jug. Otherwise mint condition. H 11 1/4".