Fine and Very Rare One-Gallon Stoneware Jug with Cobalt Watchspring Decoration, attributed to Abraham Mead, Greenwich, CT, circa 1790, ovoid jug with grooved handle and wide spout, accented with a single tooled line, the front decorated with two slip-trailed watchspring motifs underscored by a spotted "fish scale" design. Additional watchspring decoration emanating from the base of the handle. Cobalt highlights to handle terminals and tooling around spout. Excellent form with classic Mead decoration. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, purchased by the consignor decades ago; previously purchased directly from the Mead family. Cracks in underside, extending up base of jug, the longest measuring 5" up jug's front. An area of shallow chipping to base on jug's front. Two typical, shallow in-the-firing chips to top of spout. A small glazed-over in-the-firing flaw to edge of spout. H 11 1/2".