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Outstanding Five-Gallon Stoneware Churn with Cobalt Cat Decoration, Stamped "J. BURGER, JR. / ROCHESTER, N.Y.," circa 1885, semi-ovoid churn with tooled shoulder, flared collar, and applied lug handles, decorated with a large slip-trailed design of a cat with heavily striped and spotted body, strutting atop a stylized ground with shrubs. Slip-trailed "5" to shoulder. Cobalt accent to maker's mark with unusual inverted impression. Includes Albany-slip-glazed lid, stamped "5," Northeastern U.S. origin. This extraordinary design, based on this pottery's iconic lion motifs, is the first of its kind that we have ever seen. Possibly representing a tiger or lioness this work is set apart from John Burger, Jr.'s lion designs by its omission of a mane and long hair on the end of its tail, as well as the inclusion of striping along the neck, back, and chest. An in-the-making fissure to underside, created when the churn was made. A sealed, curving 4 1/2" crack on underside, extending 5 3/4" diagonally up base on proper right side of churn, including some chipping to underside along crack. Additional tight lines on underside, one extending 2" up base and another extending 3/4" up base, both on proper right side of churn. A small rim chip to proper left side of churn. A minor chip to interior of rim. A few small chips to inner rim for lid. Some light staining to upper body. Lid in excellent condition with two minor rim nicks. H (including lid) 20 1/2".
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