Exceptional Four-Gallon Stoneware Jug with Elaborate Incised Bird-and-Floral Decoration, Stamped "JACOB CAIRE & CO. / POUGHKEEPSIE, NY", circa 1843-1845, highly-ovoid jug with semi-squared spout, decorated with a large incised and cobalt-highlighted design of a crested bird perched on a flowering vine. Decoration includes heavily-incised details to the bird's wing and artistically-executed scalloping along the vine's leaves. Cobalt highlights to maker's mark, capacity mark, and handle terminals. According to George H. Lukacs' Poughkeepsie Potters and the Plague, this particular Caire family maker's mark was only used for roughly a year and a half, from August 1843 to February 1845. During this time, the pottery involved Jacob, John B., and George Caire, as well as Philip Riedinger (Lukacs, p. 125). Few Pougkeepsie incised bird designs are known. The size of this jug and its decoration, measuring 9 1/2", are exemplary. Provenance: Property of a New York State collector. Two sections of handle reglued. A small spout chip adjacent to a small, in-the-firing spout chip. Two short, minor hairlines to spout on reverse. A recessed area on left side of jug. A minor, in-the-firing chip to underside at edge and a second small, in-the-firing chip to underside. H 17 3/4".