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Very Rare Ten-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Elaborate Freehand Cobalt Decoration, Inscribed "M.S. Knotts. / Maker," Stenciled "R.T. WILLIAMS / NEW GENEVA, PA," circa 1880, cylindrical crock with tooled shoulder, semi-rounded rim, and applied lug handles, featuring elaborate vining to the shoulder and base, the midsection with R.T. Williams maker's stenciling surrounding a stenciled flourish, applied between a wavy stripe and a freehand "10" with flourishes, all flanked by graduated slashes. Inscribed at shoulder with a very rare freehand potter's signature, "M.S. Knotts. / Maker," referring to local potter, Minor S. Knotts (1861-1931), who made stoneware in Greensboro and New Geneva during this time period. Growing up and certainly training in the Greensboro area, Knotts would go on to make pottery in Clarion County and York, Pennsylvania, where he appears in the 1900 and 1910 censuses, respectively. (In the latter location he was almost certainly working at the well-known Pfaltzgraff pottery.) Notably, Knotts appears in the 1880 federal census as a potter living in the household of fellow stoneware manufacturer James Hamilton. Freehand stripe below rim. Cobalt highlights to handle terminals. Among the finest examples of R.T. Williams stoneware that we have offered, combining desirable size, strong decoration, and rare insight into its specific maker. Very nice condition with two chips to proper right handle. H 17 5/8".
Special Note: Due to this object's large size, we are unable to ship it using our normal in-house shipping service. It must either be picked up by the high bidder, or special arrangements must be made by the high bidder for pick up and / or shipping by a third party. If you have any questions, please contact us; we are certainly able to recommend options for third party shippers ahead of time that you can contact for a quote.
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