Rare Eight-Gallon Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Water Cooler with Molded Eagle Decoration, Embossed "NE PLUS ULTRA," Ohio origin, circa 1860-1880, baluster-form cooler with tooled shoulder, applied lug handles, and large circular bunghole embellished with impressed screwheads, the front decorated with a large molded design of a spread-winged eagle flanked by cornucopias. A banner above the eagle reads "NE PLUS ULTRA", a slogan that roughly translates to "THE ULTIMATE", used by the maker to promote the quality of their ware. Various other 19th century American products, including clothing buttons and musical instruments, are marked with the same inscription. The applied design features wonderful brushed dashes and spots surrounding the eagle, forming a backdrop behind the image of our national symbol. Brushed cobalt "8" above, underscored and flanked by wavy lines. Bunghole decorated with cobalt spots and surrounded by a brushed cobalt band. The molded decoration on this cooler is one of the most elaborate sprig-molded and applied motifs we have seen on a piece of American stoneware, the entire design measuring 7 1/2" long and 5 1/2" wide. Excellent size, form, and decoration. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, recently found in Northwest Ohio. A 3" crack from rim on side of cooler, beside a short hairline in rim only. Shallow chips to interior of rim. A small handle chip. Some minor chipping to bunghole. H 17".
