Exceptional and Important Six-Gallon Stoneware Crock with Profuse Cobalt Floral Decoration, Stamped "F. STETZENMEYER. / ROCHESTER, NY," circa 1850, large-sized, cylindrical crock with tooled shoulder, squared rim, and applied lug handles, profusely-decorated with an oversized flowering plant in slip-trailed cobalt. Design features a three-petaled blossom, a fan-shaped blossom, and two spotted buds, emanating from a leafy base. Outstanding detail throughout, including heavily striped, spotted, and shaded accents throughout, and appealing "bulls-eye" centers to blossoms. Entire decoration features extremely fine, crisp slip-trailing, with an even salt glaze and no fry (a frequent flaw found on Stetzenmeyer stoneware), all set against a whitish clay background. Slip-trailed "6" above. Brushed cobalt highlights to maker's mark. This crock ranks as one of the greatest floral-decorated works by Frederick Stetzenmeyer known, as well as the finest example of stoneware by this iconic Rochester maker to cross the auction block in years. Sealed damage on underside and left side of crock. This damage includes three reglued pieces on left side base area of crock and a 2" x 1/3" sliver missing at base on left side of crock, as well as a crack that extends to the far left edge of the decoration without touching the cobalt. Additionally, a 5 1/2" hairline from rim on the right side of crock. A glazed-over, in-the-firing flake at base on front. Some light staining on reverse.
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