Exceptional Five-Gallon Stoneware Crock with Cobalt Pecking Chicken Scene, Stamped "J. & E. NORTON / BENNINGTON, VT.", circa 1855, cylindrical crock with tooled shoulder, semi-rounded rim, and applied lug handles, decorated with a large and elaborate design of a pecking chicken, standing between a tree and stump, atop a stylized ground embellished with shrubs and grasses. Cobalt highlights to maker's mark and capacity mark. This crock is regarded as the finest Norton product known featuring the pottery's desirable pecking chicken motif. It is the largest Norton crock we have seen featuring this design, which covers the majority of the piece's front, spanning an area of 14" long by 11" high, when taking into account the curvature of the crock. The inclusion of a pine tree and stump flanking the bird is most unusual, as is the large and heavily-detailed ground below, and the entire design is executed in strong, vibrant cobalt slip. Provenance: Property of a New York State collector. Some scattered surface flakes to left of decoration and on the crock's right side. Two tiny surface flakes to reverse. One handle chip. A 5/8" rim chip and other minor rim nicks. An approximately 8" Y-shaped line on reverse, extending from shoulder to base area. H 13".
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