Exceedingly Rare and Important Figural Stoneware Bank in the Form of a Top-Hatted Gentleman, New York State origin, circa 1825, salt-glazed stoneware coin bank in the form of a portly man wearing an applied top hat, the face with applied features and coleslaw hair and sideburns. The neck embellished with an upturned collar and bowtie, and the wheel-thrown body decorated with applied arms clutching the figure's belly. An applied coat adorns the torso, with incised buttons, rounded trim, and additional incised coat seams on reverse. Surface heavily-decorated with brushed cobalt highlights to hat, face, arms, and coat. Vertical coin slot along chest. Base with scalloped edge. Discovered recently at a Maine yard sale, this example is possibly the finest and most elaborately-decorated American stoneware bank known. Figural pieces rank as some of the most revered of all 19th century American stoneware items produced, and the profuse detail of this example outmatches that found on the highly-prized face vessels of the Remmey family. Indeed, the whimsical form and highly decorative nature of this bank validate it as one of the most significant recent discoveries in American stoneware, and a piece that transcends stoneware collecting into the realm of American folk art. The color of the clay and cobalt decoration are consistent with stoneware produced in New York State during the early decades of the 19th century. Loss to edge of coat, though salt glaze visible on the figure's body, underlying where the coat would have been, suggests much or all of this damage occurred during the firing. Chipping to hat brim. Two small chips to top of hat and edge of coat. A tight glued crack around the neck suggests the head was removed to retrieve the coins inside. H 5".
