Very Rare Two-Gallon Lidded Stoneware Jar with Cobalt Floral Decoration, Inscribed "OV. Lewis," Otto V. Lewis, New York State origin, mid 19th century, cylindrical jar with tooled shoulder, flared rim, and applied lug handles, brush-decorated with an open-petaled flower emanating from a leafy stem, flanked by two 2's. Inscribed "OV. Lewis" above in brushed cobalt. A churn similarly signed in script by Lewis is pictured in Broderick and Bouck, Pottery Works: Potteries of New York State's Capital District and Upper Hudson Region, 192. Lewis is notable for establishing, circa 1858, the titanic Fort Edward stoneware manufactory that traded under names such as Fort Edward Pottery Co. and New York Stoneware Co., and was operated all the way into the 1890's. Other New York locales at which this clearly influential potter worked include Bald Mountain / Greenwich (circa 1850-52); Galesville (circa 1852-1857); and Mechanicville (circa 1861). (See Ketchum, Potters and Potteries of New York State, 1650-1900, 238, 241, 243, 245, 248.) Includes fitting salt-glazed stoneware lid. A long, thin crack at base with a thin 4" crack ascending from it. A 3 1/4" Y-shaped surface line below proper right handle, not visible on interior. A thin 2" crack from rim on front. A small rim chip on reverse. A small base chip on reverse. A few small in-the-firing flaws to surface. Expected minor wear to inner rim for lid. Lid in excellent, essentially as-made condition. H (including lid) 12 1/2".
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