Extremely Rare Six-Gallon Shenandoah Valley of Virginia Redware Cooler with Multi-Glazed Surface, Stamped "J. EBERLY & CO. / STRASBURG, VA.," late 19th century, large-sized cooler with keg form, circular bunghole, and tooled banding throughout, the surface covered in a yellowish slip and decorated with streaks of heavy copper and light, amber-colored manganese under a clear lead-glazed surface. Impressed on top of rim with the maker's mark of J. Eberly & Co. of Strasburg, VA. Few redware coolers produced in the state of Virginia have survived. This example features a striking glaze reminiscent of the iconic Solomon Bell cooler with Daniel-in-the-Lion's-Den motif, which is on display at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester, VA. It is the only signed redware cooler produced by the Eberlys we are aware of, and is also believed to be one of the largest pieces known featuring the popular Strasburg "multi-glaze" or "polychrome glaze". Moreover, the keg form, while popular among potters in the Northeast, is exceptionally rare from the state of Virginia. We are aware of only one other keg-form cooler produced in the Strasburg or Winchester area, a heavily-decorated stoneware piece with applied busts of Jesus and John the Baptist, which was made by members of the Bell family. With appealing form, size, and glaze scheme, this Eberly keg is possibly the only example of its kind in existence today. Provenance: Purchased by the consignor in the Strasburg area over a decade ago. Expected wear to bunghole. A 1 1/4" rim chip, a few other minor rim chips, and other expected wear to rim. A shallow chip on inner edge of inset rim. An approximately 5" x 3 3/4" area glaze loss on reverse. Other smaller areas of glaze loss to left side of front and reverse. Some expected wear to base, high points of circumferential banding, and underside. H 17 1/2".
