Rare Two-Gallon Baltimore Stoneware Jar with Cobalt Date "Dec th 22 1827"

November 3, 2018 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 193

Price Realized: $2,360.00

($2,000 hammer, plus 18% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: This result is 6 years old, and the American ceramics market frequently changes. Additionally, small nuances of color, condition, shape, etc. can mean huge differences in price. If you're interested in having us sell a similar item for you, please contact us here.

November 3, 2018 Auction Catalog

◀︎ Back to Catalog

▶ Login

Rare Two-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Cobalt Date "Dec th 22 1827", Baltimore, MD origin, possibly Thomas Chandler, 1827, ovoid jar with footed base, semi-squared rim, decorated with the large brushed date, "Dec th 22 1827". Reverse decorated with a large scrolled foliate design in the shaped of the number "2". Curved cobalt line decoration underneath each handle, with one handle inscribed "2" in cobalt underneath. Heavy cobalt highlights to handle terminals and tops of handles. Several factors offer the possibility that this jar was made by Thomas Chandler, the well-known Edgefield, SC potter, who began his career in Baltimore. The penmanship of the jar's date appears similar to the 1829 date on the highly-important stoneware churn with incised farm scene, inscribed "Thomas M. Chandler / maker / Baltimore August / th 12/ 1829". In addition, Chandler's signed Baltimore churn employs a curved cobalt line with flower above as a decorative element under each handle; this jar features a freehand "2" above a curved line in a similar manner. The use of a large cobalt highlight above the handle, extending to the handle terminals, is identical on both the churn and jar. The jar's multi-lined tooling at the shoulder follows similar treatment on the churn as well. Lastly, the form of the jar closely relates to the style of those that Chandler would be potting on a regular basis, years later in South Carolina. This jar survives in remarkable, essentially as-made condition.