Rare Stoneware Political Crock, possibly Smith, Norwalk, Connecticut

July 19, 2014 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 174

Price Realized: $575.00

($500 hammer, plus 15% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: This result is 10 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.

July 19, 2014 Auction Catalog

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Rare Stoneware Jar with Cobalt Political Inscription, Connecticut Origin, possibly A.E. Smith & Sons, Norwalk, CT, circa 1866, two-gallon cylindrical jar with rounded shoulder and flared rim, the front inscribed in cobalt "A. HAWLY / ELECTED / APRiL / 1866". Joseph Roswelll Hawley (1826-1905) was a Civil War general, and the 42nd governor of Connecticut, serving from April 1866 to April 1867. He was not reelected, but later achieved notoriety as a popular Connecticut newspaper editor, after merging the Press with the Hartford Courant. He would eventually serve two terms in the United States House of Representatives and four terms in the Senate, active in the Republican and Free Soil parties. Also of note is Hawley's service as President of the Centennial Commission, which operated the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. An unusual political piece, this jar bears similarity in form to pieces bearing the mark "A.E. SMITH & SONS / MANUFACTURERS / 38 Peck Slip / N.Y.", which were made at the pottery of Asa E. Smith and his sons in Norwalk, CT. Excellent condition with two tiny, in-the-firing iron pings to left side of jar, minor rim wear, and an in-the-firing stone ping to middle of date at base.