Exceptional Two-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Large Cobalt Lion Decoration, Stamped "A.O. WHITTEMORE / HAVANA, N.Y., " circa 1870, ovoid jar with tooled shoulder, semi-squared rim, and applied lug handles, decorated with a very large slip-trailed design of a lion with heavy mane, spotted body, and upswept tail, reclining atop a stylized ground with shrubs. Cobalt highlights to maker's mark and capacity mark. The solid-cobalt face of the lion relate it to several deer decorations with similarly-depicted faces, found on pieces bearing the mark, "J. NORTON & CO. / BENNINGTON, VT." The lion differs in the depiction of its face from the typical lion designs created for the Nortons by itinerant artist, John Hilfinger; however, the overall style of the body and tail, as well as the face's connection with Norton deer motifs, suggest the design may have been executed by an itinerant artist who worked in New York State and Bennington, Vermont. This design ranks as one of the finest depictions of a lion we have ever offered. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, from a long-term private collection. Exfoliation to surface, not affecting decoraton, most prominent on reverse. One handle restored. A tight Y-shaped crack on underside, continuing 6" up reverse and 3" up front of jar. A small rim chip and short line from rim on side of jar. A partially-filled base chip on reverse. H 9 7/8".
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