Exceedingly Rare Six-Gallon Stoneware Cream Jar with Cobalt Standing Lion Decoration, Stamped "F. STETZENMEYER / ROCHESTER, NY", circa 1850, ovoid jar with tooled shoulder, squared rim, and applied lug handles, decorated with a slip-trailed design of a large lion with flowing mane, heavily striped and spotted body, and curled tail, standing atop a stylized ground with a pine tree to the animal's left and shrubs below. Slip-trailed "6" to shoulder. Brushed cobalt highlights to maker's mark. This restored jar combines one of the most highly-prized designs and makers in Northeastern American stoneware. The artistry of the design reveals the hand of a true master of slip-trailed decoration, and exemplifies why Stetzenmeyer stoneware is so admired. Figural designs by this maker are considered very rare, and, to our knowledge, this jar is the first Stetzenmeyer piece with lion decoration to come to auction in decades. Professional restoration to large cracks in front. Professional restoration to exfoliation on front associated with lion's legs and ground. Restoration involves touch-up to areas of decoration, primarily the lion's legs, tail, and the middle of the ground below the lion. An additional top-to-bottom restored crack on left side of jar. Additional significant restoration to base of jar. H 14 3/4".
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