Outstanding Six-Gallon Stoneware Pedestal-Based Water Cooler with Profuse Cobalt Floral Decoration, Stamped "HAMILTON / Greensboro / PA", William Leet Hamilton, Greensboro, PA, circa 1860, ovoid cooler with tooled accents, ribbed lug handles, and squared bunghole, attached to a tapered pedestal base. Front profusely-decorated with an undulating tulip vine design. Shoulder with stripe and dash designs. Stripe decoration to bunghole. Heavy cobalt circles surrounding terminals of right handle. Left handle terminals lack decoration. Pedestal decorated with diagonal swag designs between freehand stripes. Shoulder of cooler impressed with the large oval maker's mark "HAMILTON / Greensboro PA." above a six-gallon capacity mark. The pedestal-based water cooler remains the most coveted of all Western Pennsylvania stoneware forms. This example is one of a small number known bearing the mark of William Leet Hamilton. On this example, the large oval maker's stamp is used as a decorative device, forming the cobalt-highlighted center of a tulip blossom. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, purchased in the mid 20th century by the consignor's grandfather. Recent professional restoration to section on reverse side of base. A 4" long reglued piece ot base on left side of front, with associated chips. Minor chipping to bunghole. One handle reglued. A 5" hairline from rim on reverse, descending from a 1" chip. A 1" chip to reverse side of left handle. H 17".
