Extremely Rare and Important Early Manhattan Advertising Jug, attributed to Thomas Commeraw, Lower East Side, NY, circa 1810, highly ovoid jug with rounded foot, heavily tooled neck, and ribbed handle, impressed with the cobalt-highlighted advertising "ASHMORES. GENUIN / CORDIALS PREPAIRD / BY. W. FIELD. ONLY." Large, cobalt-filled clamshell decorations, characteristic of the work of Thomas Commeraw, are impressed below the spout. "W. FIELD" refers to William Field, who, according to New York city directories, began working as a distiller circa 1802 at the corner of Bowery and Prince Streets. Circa 1809, Field moved to Catherine Street, where he is listed specifically as a "cordial distiller." Sometime between then and 1812, Field appears to have abandoned distilling to produce hernia trusses. This jug represents one of the earliest examples of American stoneware advertising known. It offers rare insight into one of the specific products that African-American potter Thomas Commeraw's stoneware was designed to hold. Meandering cracks on front of jug, continuing around sides and reverse of jug, including 2 1/2" and 1 1/2" restored sections on side of jug and reverse of jug, both near base. H 11 3/4"