Even though this nineteenth century four-gallon stoneware jug did not sell at auction on Long Island recently, where it had a reserve and it was passed at $48,000, it is certainly a noteworthy object that was made at the M&T Miller Pottery in Newport, Perry County, Pennsylvania. The pottery was operated by Michael and Theophilus Miller, Jr.
According to Weiss Auctions on Long Island in Lynbrook, New York, "This cobalt-blue decorated stoneware jug bears the faces of three Civil War Union soldiers - three brothers - John, Michael and Theophilus. Hailing from Pennsylvania, as soon as the Confederates were on Yankee soil, the farms and townspeople dropped what they were doing and headed to Gettysburg, where there were rumors of a great battle and the Miller-boys were no exception. The oldest brother, John, was already serving as a soldier with Union forces at Gettysburg and the other two brothers, Michael and Theophilus rode to aid John and the Union cause. They responded to the plea that Union forces needed "every horse and every man" that could be spared. No sooner had the younger brothers arrived in Gettysburg than they found John severely injured, the glory of war suddenly dissipating. After the battle, the boys returned home with the body of their elder brother. In commemoration of the tragic death of John and the loyalty and valor of the other two brothers, this jug was crafted depicting the profiles of the three of them in uniform."
Furthermore, while it can be argued that the decoration on this jug is not as accomplished or it is in a different style, this object certainly reminds me of another example that sold to New York collector Jerry Lauren at Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland on July 19, 2014. That circa 1861-1865 five gallon stoneware churn was possibly made in Fort Edward, New York and it sold for $402,500, including the buyer's premium. The churn featured four highly skilled marching Union Civil War soldiers in cobalt blue. Both of these objects are important pieces of American history!
An Important Pennsylvania Stoneware Jug
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
No comments:
Post a Comment