Rare One-Gallon Stoneware Pitcher with Folky Brushed Manganese Decoration, Inscribed "G.N. Fulton," George Newman Fulton, Alleghany County, VA origin, circa 1875, finely-potted pitcher with bulbous body, footed and heavily-tooled base, and additional heavily-tooled banding at the below a flared collar. Front decorated with a brushed manganese tulip plant bearing large leaves, culminating in an open blossom. This vertical tulip with splayed leaves is reminiscent of designs on products of the Parr Pottery in Richmond, where Fulton was previously employed. This floral motif is additionally flanked by dashed blossoms or leaves on the left and right. The pitcher's base is inscribed in manganese "G N Fulton". The collar is decorated on each side with brushed flowers. The spout is decorated with a vertical series of dashes flanked on each side with vertically-brushed stripes overlaid with spots. Pitchers produced by Fulton are considered rare, and relatively few examples of the form have been sold in the past several years. When considering the form, decoration, and condition of this pitcher, this example is arguably the finest example of Fulton stoneware to be sold in the past decade. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, which descended in a Georgia family. Very nice condition with a minor base chip, some overfiring to decoration, primarily on the right side of the leaves on the floral design, and a very minor rim nick, which appears to be in-the-firing. H 9 3/4".
