Rare Four-Gallon Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Jar with Portland Station Advertising, Western PA origin, probably Beaver, circa 1875, cylindrical jar with tooled shoulder, semi-rounded rim, and applied lug handles, the surface coated in a whitish slip and decorated with a series of graduated freehand stripes above the stenciled signature "FROM / J.T. HODGENS / MERCHANT / PORTLAND STATION". Freehand cobalt number 4 at base. Impressed number 4 at shoulder. This jar is the first example with Portland Station advertising we have seen. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, recently discovered in Ohio. A tight 3 3/4" Y-shaped surface line on front, not visible on interior. An approximately 4" long spidering surface line to reverse, not visible on interior. Both of these lines may have occurred in the firing. Small bubbles to slip coating on left side of jar, which were created in the firing.
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