Outstanding Five-Gallon Stoneware Water Cooler with Profuse Cobalt Floral Decoration, Baltimore, MD origin, circa 1840, cylindrical form with tooled shoulder, squared rim, applied lug handles, and circular bunghole, the front exuberantly-decorated with a brushed flowering plant emanating from bulb-shaped brushwork surrounding the bunghole and extending onto the sides of the cooler. Bunghole decorated with a series of brushed spots and flanked by large vertical swags. Shoulder decorated on the front and reverse with a series of brushed flowers. Reverse decorated with a large flowering plant emanating from a horizontal stripe. Large cobalt highlights to handle terminals. This cooler is regarded as one of the finest floral-decorated examples of Baltimore stoneware known. Its freeform, top-to-bottom floral motif is exceptional in its style, size, and color. These factors, coupled with the form of the vessel, create a truly striking example of ceramic art. Professionally-restored cracks in underside, one of which extends several inches up left side of cooler and another, which extends diagonally onto base area of reverse, not affecting the decoration. Minor chips to bunghole and base. H 17 1/2".
