Outstanding Eight-Gallon Stoneware Water Cooler with Stenciled Floral Decoration, Stenciled "A. CONRAD / NEW GENEVA / POTTERY / NEW GENEVA, / PA.", circa 1875, large-sized, cylindrical cooler with tooled shoulder, semi-rounded rim, and applied lug handles, the base with rectangular bunghole embellished with faux screw heads at each corner. Front of cooler decorated with the large stenciled signature "A. CONRAD / NEW GENEVA / POTTERY" above a stenciled rose motif flanked by stenciled tulips. Base stenciled "NEW GENEVA, / PA." above the unusual Roman numeral inscription, VIII, for eight gallons, flanked by stenciled daisies. Brushed freehand stripe below rim. Cobalt highlights to handle terminals and bunghole. Cooler includes wooden spigot. An unusual form for this maker, featuring elaborate stenciling and unusual freehand capacity marking. Two chips to right handle, the larger chip measuring 1". A 6 1/4" crack from rim on reverse. A 3 3/4" Y-shaped line to body on reverse. An approximately 5 1/2" long fork-shaped line on left side of cooler, near reverse. A long thin spider crack on underside, part of which continues onto base on reverse. The crack at the base is curved and measures 5 1/4" tall from the base of the cooler. A small base chip to front. H 18 1/2".
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