This is an unusual object (or at least it is based on what I have handled through the years)! The likeliest scenario is that it is European made, although in my brief research, I have not been able to find anything comparable. I have checked a number of online databases from museums in Germany and England.
Nonetheless, this cobalt decorated stoneware mug or tankard with a pewter mounted lid has resided in New England for a number of years, and previous owners thought it was made in Germany (and that is certainly where it may have been made). But the majority of eighteenth and nineteenth century German stoneware that I have handled seems to be much more refined and sophisticated in production than how this wonderful object appears.
This tankard was heavily (or thickly) thrown by the potter, whereas whoever applied the cobalt may have been somewhat careless in a couple of areas, seeing that the cobalt runs in a few places.
There also seems to have been some firing issues with this piece inside of the kiln, perhaps caused from salt. There may have also been ash used in the firing process, and that is why this mug takes on somewhat of a greenish color in parts of the glaze (tough to photograph), perhaps caused from wood used in the firing process, but a potter could explain that better than I can.
However, what also caught my attention about this object is the pewter lid. The underside is impressed with three hallmarks, two of which are the same and are possibly a court jester, a style of mark also applied by some silversmiths in the eighteenth and nineteenth century. Furthermore, the top of the lid is inscribed with initials and a date, possibly from an early or original owner, reading, "E.D.F. / 1816."
I had asked in a private Facebook group last night whether there is any chance that this could be American made, and it was very nicely suggested by a few people that maybe it was worth looking into the Charles and William Wingender Pottery in Haddonfield, New Jersey in the late 1800s. The brothers produced stoneware in Germany before migrating to America in 1881. However, the dated feature on this tankard suggests it is much earlier in production. I have also handled a number of Wingender stoneware that descended through the family, as well as some of the actual tools used at the business, which are owned by Robesonia, Pennsylvania antiques dealer Greg Kramer, and those couple of dozen pieces (or so) closely resemble wares made in Westerwald, Germany. In fact, one of the pieces that descended through the family is a jardinière missing its separate pedestal, which is identical to a complete pair owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
So with all of this said - does anyone reading this have any ideas?
Note: I have also included pictures of a similar inscribed lid on a metal tankard formerly owned by antiques dealer Nathan Fisher.
Cobalt Decorated Stoneware Tankard with an Inscribed Pewter Mounted Lid
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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