Rare Stoneware Canning Jar with Cobalt Floral Decoration and 1861 Date, Shenandoah Valley of Virginia origin, 1861, cylindrical jar with rounded shoulder and flared collar, decorated on the front with a brushed triple-stemmed tulip motif and on the reverse with the large brushed date "1861". The interior is coated in an Albany slip glaze; this coating is also visible underlying the cobalt date on the reverse and is additionally smeared on the underside. The entire surface is covered in a clear salt glaze. The boldly-brushed date, "1861", is consistent with pieces produced in Rockingham County, Virginia, and the form follows canning jars produced under the partnership of John D. Heatwole and Joseph Silber. The decoration, however, is not consistent with Rockingham County stoneware, and appears more closely-related with pieces made at the Stonyman Pottery over a decade later. A rare example of Shenandoah Valley stoneware, appealing in its size, form, decoration, and Civil War period date. Very nice condition. A small rim chip and minor rim nick. A minor base nick. Some roughness to decoration. A smooth in-the-firing contact mark to one side. H 7 1/2".