Exceedingly Rare and Important Cobalt-Glazed Chocolate Pot with Painted Owl Motif, attributed to J.E. Jeffords and Company, Philadelphia, PA, circa 1868-1915, molded, semi-ovoid pot with applied tapering spout, the rim and angular molded handle embellished with circular beading, the surface covered in a cobalt glaze. Original finely-painted decoration of an owl flying towards another owl perched on a branch. Reverse with foliate motif. Original gilding throughout and original pewter lid. Underside with gilded mark, "B23." Only one other documented example of Jeffords pottery in this pattern is known to us, a coffeepot in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which also bears a "B23" mark on the underside. As the vast majority of this company's molded Rockinghamware, yellowware, and cobalt-glazed earthenware is void of hand-painted decoration, this extremely rare work ranks among its most ambitious and decorative pieces known. Chip to spout. A thin crack across underside, extending 3" up side of pitcher. Additional surface crazing to underside, not visible on interior. Some wear to lid. H 11".
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