Two-Gallon Cobalt-Decorated Salt-Glazed Stoneware Jar
Ceramic vessel/Decorative art • Likely American, Mid-Atlantic or Northeastern school (potential attributions include makers from New York, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey such as Cowden & Wilcox or Remmey)
Style & Movement
American Folk Art / Utilitarian Stoneware
Medium & Technique
Salt-glazed stoneware with hand-painted cobalt blue slip decoration
Creation Period
Mid-to-late 19th Century (c. 1860-1880)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 10-12 inches in height; cylindrical format with slightly flared rim and lug handles.
Subject Description
Utilitarian storage crock featuring a free-form floral or foliate cobalt slip motif. The design consists of stylized leaves and blossoms, a common decorative element in 19th-century American ceramics to increase aesthetic value for domestic use.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair - Functional but showing significant wear consistent with age and domestic use.
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $350 USD
Auction Estimate
$100 - $250 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; likely passed through domestic private collections or rural estates. Lack of visible maker's mark limits specific genealogical tracking.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the peak of American domestic craft before mass production. Such jars were essential for food preservation and reflect the vernacular aesthetic of the 19th-century agrarian lifestyle.
Notable Features
Prominent blue cobalt decoration; hand-applied lug handles; classic salt-glaze 'orange peel' texture; notable firing flaw (the large chip) which occurred during the manufacturing process.
Condition Issues
Large 'kiln kiss' or surface pop on the right side of the decoration where clay has chipped away; visible localized surface pitting (kiln specks); darkening/staining from storage; possible hairline crack near the base; 'fry' (bubbling) of the cobalt.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning to remove embedded grime; stable indoor environment with low humidity; display on a felt pad to prevent base abrasion; do not use as a functional planter due to moisture risk to the clay body.