Six-Gallon B.C. Milburn (Alexandria, VA) Stoneware Crock

November 2, 2013 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 260

Price Realized: $2,415.00

($2,100 hammer, plus 15% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: This result is 11 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 2, 2013 Auction Catalog

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Extremely Rare Six-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Elaborate Cobalt Floral Decoration, Stamped "B.C. MILBURN / ALEXA," Alexandria, VA origin, circa 1850, ovoid jar with tooled shoulder, squared rim, and large applied tab handles, decorated on the front with a slip-trailed vine bearing alternating styles of flower blossoms. Slip-trailed row of chainlinks and two rows of wavy lines above. Decorated on the reverse with four slip-trailed tulips below a row of chainlinks and two wavy lines. Excellent decoration with some of the best color we have seen on an example of Milburn stoneware, with vivid cobalt against a very light gray ground. Impressed with B.C. Milburn maker's mark below rim. Of particular significance is the jar's extremely rare six-gallon size. Vessels of such large capacity were not typically produced at the Wilkes Street Pottery; this fact is further indicated by the hand-incised "6" below the maker's mark, as Milburn did not have a stamp for this size. This jar is the first slip-trailed Milburn jar we have seen. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, recently discovered in North Carolina. Literature: Three other six-gallon examples produced by Milburn are pictured in Eddie L. Wilder, Alexandria, VA Pottery 1792-1876, a slip-trailed J.P. Smith jar, p. 90; a brush-decorated B.C. Milburn jar, p. 272; and a slip-trailed B.C. Milburn water cooler, p. 287. Cracks around base area with a large crack extending from base to shoulder on reverse. An additional crack on underside with other cracks extending off from it onto base. Shallow 2 1/4" rim chip to right side of front. H 18".