Outstanding Four-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Extravagant Cobalt Deer Scene, Stamped "J. & E. NORTON. / BENNINGTON, VT," circa 1855, cylindrical jar with tooled shoulder, semi-rounded rim, and applied lug handles, decorated with an extensive slip-trailed pastoral scene featuring a reclining spotted stag, large tree, and series of houses. Stag is resting atop a hill flanked by pine trees with a split-rail fence in the foreground. To the right of the deer, also in the foreground, stands a large tree with stripe-accented trunk bearing leafy branches. Further to the right appears a grouping of houses atop a hill: a central Federal mansion with ten windows and a dormer, another mansion with four windows, a dormer, and a door, and a third structure to the right with five windows. In classic Norton fashion, the scene is embellished throughout with various stylized shrubs and grasses. Cobalt highlight to maker's mark and capacity mark. Displaying superb color and astonishing coverage of the design over the vessel's front--even extending onto the piece's right side--this work ranks among the most heavily-decorated Norton stoneware jars known. Small flecks of exfoliation to front and right side of jar. An area of heavier exfoliation to base on right side/reverse of jar. A 5" reglued wedge at base, which extends 2 1/2" onto underside. Small chips to interior of rim. Chips and wear to inner rim for lid. A 5 3/4" Y-shaped line and 4 1/2" Y-shaped line to reverse of jar, the larger line partially visible on interior. A very faint 1 3/4" Y-shaped line to reverse, not visible on interior. A faint 4" Y-shaped surface line on underside, not visible on interior. A 3 1/2" vertical surface line below right handle, not visible on interior. Streaks of staining to reverse / left side. H 14 1/2".
