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Exceptional Six-Gallon Stoneware Presentation Churn with Elaborate Cobalt Decoration of a Grouse with Banner, Inscribed "AKRON OHIO," Inscribed "D.S. ALEXANDER," John Park Alexander Pottery, Akron, OH origin, circa 1870, semi-ovoid churn with tooled shoulder, semi-rounded rim, and arched lug handles, decorated with a large slip-trailed design of a crested grouse with spread wings, perched on a leafy branch, carrying a banner or speech bubble in its beak, inscribed "AKRON OHIO." The decoration includes remarkable detail throughout, including spotted ovals in the tail resembling peacock-eye feathers, additional dotted scalloping to the neck, heavy scalloping throughout the body, and stripes in the tail. Slip-trailed "6" above with flourish below. Inscribed with the slip-trailed name, "D.S. ALEXANDER," within a rectangular border below rim. Includes salt-glazed lid of Ohio origin. This masterwork of Ohio stoneware is noteworthy for the size, detail, and subject matter of the decoration, and addition of the name of its owner. Its grand design features excellent coverage over the vessel's front, spanning 12 1/2" tall by approximately 11" around the curve of the vessel's front. In addition, the depiction of the bird with both a sense of motion, alighting the branch with raised wings, and carrying a banner in its beak emblazoned with the name of its city of origin, are rarely-seen treatments. The name, "D.S. ALEXANDER," refers to David Alexander, a farm implements dealer and older brother of Akron pottery owner, John Park Alexander. A monumental jug-form cooler with bird likely by the same hand, bearing the inscription, "HARLEY & CARLL / AKRON / O / ALEXANDER / STONEWARE / MANUFACTURER / 1876 / CENTENNIAL," was famously featured on the PBS series, Antiques Roadshow, in June 2004, appraised by folk art dealer, Allan Katz. Among the finest examples of Ohio stoneware that we have ever offered. Literature: Illustrated in Treichler, A History of Northeast Ohio Stoneware, pg. 55. Provenance: Originally found circa 1974 among household goods that were to be discarded from the home of an Akron, Ohio woman moving into a nursing home; Blair Auctions, Ohio, May 2004; Waasdorp Auctions, Clarence, New York, September 2004, lot 209; Garths' Auctions, Delaware, Ohio, May 18, 2012, lot 74. Churn with two cracks from rim on reverse, measuring 7 1/2" and 5". A few minor chips to interior of rim and one minor chip to inner rim for lid. A large Y-shaped surface line to underside, not visible on interior. Proper right handle with a 5/8" chip and minor nick. Minor fry to cobalt. Lid with one chip to opening. H (excluding lid) 18".
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