Exceptional Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Presentation Bank with Elaborate Stepped Finial, Inscribed "S.B. 1828", Baltimore, MD origin, 1828, ovoid bank with footed base, featuring an ornately-formed stepped finial, embellished with chip-carved decoration throughout. The slotted tier of the bank includes impressed asterisks encompassing the entire tier and surrounding the slot. Body of bank decorated with a cobalt swag and hanging flower motif, surmounted by an incised chain link design. Additional cobalt highlights appears on two of the bank's upper tiers and the top of the finial. Midsection of body incised with the cobalt-highlighted inscription, "S.B. 1828". This bank, featuring an exceptionally early date, is one of the most ambitiously-decorated examples of the form we have seen. Its overall style is closely-related to another Baltimore bank with 1828 date, sold in Crocker Farm, Inc.'s July 18, 2015 auction, which was attributed to Henry Remmey, Sr., based on its distinctive floral motif. Restoration to top of finial. A 1/2" in-the-firing ping to side of bank. A 5/8" glazed-over base chip. H 7 1/4".
