Outstanding Stoneware Folk Art Water Cooler with Incised Owl and Fish Decoration, Inscribed "S.D. Bockwalter", Ohio origin, circa 1850, approximately six-gallon, ovoid water cooler, flared collar, octagonal bung hole, and open strap handles including a scrolled flourish at the end of the right handle. Front of cooler decorated with two large incised designs of owls, each perched on a small tree, flanking a central incised fish. Owls include large pointed "horns" and impressed circular eyes, the right owl additionally decorated with impressed circular embellishments throughout the body. Fish includes linear incising, a pronounced dorsal fin and gill, and dashed incising surrounding the head. Cooler is incised at the shoulder "S.D. Bockwalter", with incised crosshatching and dashes on the interiors of the letters S, D, and B. Census research indicates this cooler was likely made for the Ross County, Ohio merchant, Samuel D. Buckwalter (c.1816-1898). This cooler exudes a wonderful folk art presence, not just in its incised figural decoration, but also in its sculptural cooler form with asymmetrical handles. Provenance: Descended in the family of legendary Ohio antiques dealer, Clark Garrett. A thin 9 1/4" crack from rim on reverse. Traces of old red paint to reverse and sides. Gold paint around interior of rim. A long crack on the cooler front, extending from the rim around the left edge of the left owl and over to the bunghole. This damage includes an old approximately 7/8" x 3/8" filled and colored spot to the tip of the left owl's left horn. H 18".
