19th Century Stoneware Jug Great Form with Corncob

Whisky anyone? This wonderful utilitarian jug sports a dark elephant grey color and is very unusual as well because it has special marks. Jugs such as these usually held liquids such as corn whisky, water, cider, syrup, molasses and vinegar. They were certainly a main ~ stay back in the day as these storage vessels were impervious to liquid. They could also be used to preserve smoked, pickled, salted or candied provisions that would be crucial to get a family though the long cold winters. The form on this jug is simplistic sporting a gentle flared top that contours downward. The applied handle does have a wee bit of separation where it meets the body as shown in image 10 but this was a result of the makers handiwork. The three recessed straight indents found at the top of the jug were created when the piece was fired and then rested upside down to cure. See images 6, 7, 8 9 &10. They sure do seem to add character to this piece! There are a couple small "pops" caused by the firing p