Lot #: 377
Price Realized: $2,875.00
($2,500 hammer, plus 15% buyer's premium)
PLEASE NOTE: This result is 8 years old, and the American ceramics market frequently changes. Additionally, small nuances of color, condition, shape, etc. can mean huge differences in price. If you're interested in having us sell a similar item for you, please contact us here.
Extremely Rare Three-Gallon Stoneware Water Cooler with Cobalt Floral Decoration, Stamped "COWDEN & WILCOX / HARRISBURG, PA", Incised on Underside "H", circa 1865, cylindrical form with tooled shoulder, squared rim, applied lug handles, and circular bung hole at base, decorated with a two-stemmed branch bearing leaves and tulip. Heavy cobalt daubs and banding to bunghole. Cobalt highlights to maker's mark, capacity mark, and handle terminals. This cooler includes a large cursive letter H, lightly-incised into the underside with a blunt tool, possibly the signature of the potter or representing the city of Harrisburg. Featuring strong decoration and brilliant color, it is one of a small number of Cowden & Wilcox water coolers known. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, purchased by the consignor decades ago. Long vertical crack from rim on right side of cooler, ending at base. This crack includes a 4" horizontal hairline that extends off from the crack at the shoulder, under the right handle. A minor worn spot on interior of rim. H 11".
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