Extremely Rare Two-Gallon Stoneware Canning Jar with Cobalt Tree Decoration, Stenciled "J M LEAN," Stamped "A. MELCHER & Co. / MANUFACTURER S / LOUISVILLE, KY.," circa 1850, cylindrical form with rounded shoulder and narrow mouth with squared rim, featuring the stenciled cobalt name, "J M LEAN," above a freehand design of a tree with fruit. Salt-glazed exterior and Albany-slip-glazed interior, including some Albany slip spatter at shoulder on reverse. Few Melcher family stoneware pieces of this decorative quality are known. Interestingly, this work features a stenciled name and freehand cobalt decoration in a manner related to the work of Isaac Thomas of Maysville, Kentucky. Essentially as-made condition with the following in-the-firing flaws: a series of in-the-firing contact marks to right side of jar in the form of a surface chips and a smooth piece of adhered clay; a 1 3/4" in-the-firing base chip on side of jar; and a minor in-the-firing surface chip to front. H 14 1/4".