Lot 236: East TN Earthenware Jug, Attr. Cain Pottery

Sullivan County, Tennessee earthenware jug, attributed to the Cain pottery. Lead-glazed jug with extruded handle and double thumbprint to the handle terminus, sine wave and incised lines bordering the upper bulbous midsection, flaring rim with tapered edge, beaded foot. Underside of base unglazed and unmarked. 10 3/4" H. Note: This jug is illustrated in "Earthenware Potters Along the Great Road in Virginia and Tennessee", J. Roderick Moore, Antiques Magazine, September 1983, p. 531, figure 7. Additional note: Recognition of the prolific Cain pottery in East Tennessee was noted in published resources as early as 1909, wherein the publication "Historic Sullivan," Oliver Taylor states "Another factory which received national attention was the Cain pottery, located at Emanuel Church, and owned by two brothers, William M. and Abe Cain . . . It was operated about 1840 and, among other wares, souvenir jugs were made, many of which still exist."

PROVENANCE: Living Estate of JoAnn Newland, Arcadia, Tennessee.

CONDITION: A couple of chips to the underside of the rim, approx. 1/2" and 1/4", scattered shallow chipping to the base. The glaze crazing or alligator wrinkling is an in-the-making glaze defect seen on many Cain forms, possibly because of the use of lead carbonate instead of lead oxide for the glaze. Some wear and abrasions to the glaze,