Very Rare JOHN BRELSFORD / MAKER Philadelphia Stoneware Water Cooler

November 3, 2012 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 360

Price Realized: $2,645.00

($2,300 hammer, plus 15% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: This result is 12 years old, and the American ceramics market frequently changes. Additionally, small nuances of color, condition, shape, etc. can mean huge differences in price. If you're interested in having us sell a similar item for you, please contact us here.

November 3, 2012 Auction Catalog

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Very Rare Four-Gallon Stoneware Water Cooler with Elaborate Cobalt Floral Decoration, Stamped "JOHN BRELSFORD / MAKER / PHILADELPHIA," circa 1846-1857, cylindrical cooler with heavily-tooled shoulder, squared rim, and ribbed lug handles, decorated on the front with a large two-stemmed flowering plant design emanating from the bung hole. Shoulder of reverse decorated with two flowering plants. Underside of one handle decorated with a vertical flower, and underside of opposite handle decorated with chainlinks. The extremely rare impressed maker's mark of Philadelphia potter, John Brelsford, is impressed below the rim and highlighted in brushed cobalt. Made at John Brelsford's stoneware manufactory at New Market Street and Germantown Road, this cooler is one of only two stamped examples by this maker we have seen. Circular bung hole molding lost during the firing. Chip to one handle. Faint X-shaped line underneath same handle. Very tight H-shaped line in underside, possibly in-the-firing.