Rare Elsiha Lemmon Tompkinsville KY Stoneware Jug

Circa Mid 19th Century: When Kentucky stoneware collectors hear the name Elsiha Lemmon mentioned in conversation, their ears perk up, and their heads turn because work by this elusive early Tompkinsville potter is incredibly scarce. Tompkinsville is the Monroe County seat and is tucked in the south central section of Kentucky close to the Tennessee border. Amazingly, this beefy 16" tall 170-year-old-jug three gallon blue decorated jug has survived almost completely unscathed save two miniscule nothing nicks on the lip. There are many salt drips on the jug's back side, which means that the jug was positioned high in the kiln and close to where the liquified salt condensed on the ceiling and dripped as the temperature began to fall. This handsome jug is typical of Lemmon's work in that the capacity mark is freehand incised rather than stamped and that the cobalt decoration is off center. Also, there are other extant examples of Lemmon's work in which the cobalt capacity mark is flanked by squiggly lines. The color and consistency of the clay also match other extant pieces of stoneware attributed to this great Monroe County potter. This is a mouth watering hunk of fine Kentucky clay, and it will be nearly impossible to find a piece of Lemmon's work in better condition.