Rare and Exceptional Eight-Gallon Stoneware Churn with Slip-Trailed Cobalt Lion Decoration, Stamped "J. BURGER, JR. / ROCHESTER, N.Y.," circa 1870, tall, narrow churn form with handles, cobalt-decorated on the front with a very large prancing lion and tree on ground. Lion artistically slip-trailed with great attention to detail, decorated with flowing mane and tail, whiskers, goatee, spotted body, and numerous shaded regions. Behind lion is a large, multi-branched tree with ringed, curving trunk. Lion and tree positioned on a ground with shrubbery. Slip-trailed cobalt "8" above decoration. One of a small number of Burger lion churns known. Figural decorations of this size and quality are unusual for American stoneware. Made at the pottery of John Burger, Jr. in Rochester, New York. Some fry to tree and small areas of lion. 7 1/2" crack on reverse. 3" crack above one handle. Y-shaped crack at base, measuring 2 1/2" with each branch of the "Y" measuring 2" diagonally. Crack extends onto underside 5". Rim chip above one handle. Height 22 1/2".
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