Important and Possibly Unique Three-Gallon Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Jug with Molded Eagle and Cornucopia Motif, Inscribed "The Best In the State", Stamped "J.M,.BURNEY / & SON. / JORDAN," New York State origin, circa 1855-1860, ovoid jug with tooled spout, decorated with a large molded and applied design of a Federal eagle perched atop a shield, flanked by two cornucopias brimming with grapes, apples, pears, and pumpkins. Decorated above with a molded banner, featuring the hand-incised inscription, "The Best in the State". Brushed cobalt highlights to molded design, accenting the incised inscription, and filling the impressed maker's mark and capacity mark. This outstanding jug features one of the finest and most-well-detailed, molded and applied designs we have seen on a piece of American stoneware. A number of Ohio stoneware products have survived featuring a closely-related design of a molded eagle with shield, cornucopias, and a banner bearing the embossed slogan, "NE PLUS ULTRA"; this term has a similar meaning to the incised words on this Jordan jug, roughly translating to "THE ULTIMATE (IN QUALITY)". In addition, the Jordan-type eagle motif found on Ohio pieces appear to lack the detail of the design on this jug, suggesting that a second generation mold was produced from the McBurneys' design and used by itinerant potters who traveled westward. Signed Jordan stoneware is considered scarce in its own right, and few examples of this decorative quality are known. Despite competition with larger, more successful potteries, it is interesting to note the McBurneys' pride in their work, as this jug touts their stoneware as the best produced in the state of New York. An important New York State stoneware product in both its artistic appeal and sentiment. Small chips to molded design. Spout chips, the largest maesuring 1 1/8". A few short, faint surface lines in spout. H 15 1/2".
