Thomas Ritchie (1825–1909), Lincoln County, North Carolina, signed alkaline-glazed stoneware jug of tall ovoid form with tooled neck, applied loop handle and warm brown-to-olive glaze exhibiting characteristic firing variation. Ritchie was an important nineteenth-century Catawba Valley potter whose surviving vessels include jugs, jars and other utilitarian forms. His pottery is recognized by distinctive impressed “TR” marks, often accompanied by a capacity number. 12" mint condition as fired from the aritst.