Outstanding Three-Gallon Stoneware Jug with Profuse Cobalt Floral Decoration, Stamped "M. & T. MILLER / NEWPORT, PA," circa 1870, cylindrical jug with tooled, semi-rounded spout, and applied handle, the body of the jug lavishly-decorated with a brushed cobalt flowering branch design. Composed of approximately ninety-five individual brush strokes, the decoration includes four large spitting tulips and a spotted blossom interspersed with leaves. Cobalt highlighs to maker's mark, capacity mark, and handle terminals. This decoration typifies Michael and Theophilus Miller's best brushwork, and demonstrates why the brothers' products remain some of the most desirable from Central Pennsylvania. No expense or time is spared in decorating this example, and the size and profusion of the design appears too large for the jug to contain. The decoration begins on the left side of jug and continues onto the right side of the jug's front, measuring approximately 12" vertically and 15" horizontally around the curve of the jug's body. One of the finest examples of M. & T. Miller stoneware to come to auction in years. Thin horizontal crack near base of handle, with a small chip along crack. 3/4" x 7/8" chip off of side of spout. H 14 3/4".
