A Rare Decorated 1850s Stoneware Crock From Bennington Vermont Sells Yesterday in Maine

A few days ago, I posted an article to this website that recapped some of the stoneware that had just sold at William Smith Auctions in Plainfield, New Hampshire. Those objects included a nineteenth century crock stamped ”J. & E. NORTON / BENNINGTON, VT," which was decorated in a cobalt scene that featured a deer beside a pine tree with a split-rail fence in the foreground, along with a hill, a pine tree, and a split-rail fence in the background.

Another example of stoneware bearing this same maker's mark sold yesterday at Casco Bay Auctions in Freeport, Maine, where this four gallon crock is decorated in cobalt with a rare freehand design of possibly a rooster or a chicken. This is a rare decoration to find today with this mid-nineteenth century maker's mark; in fact, I cannot recall having seen this decoration before from this manufacturer in either a museum or private collection.

The crock sold for $6,250 plus the buyer's premium.

Note: Here is a link to the auction catalog that includes other examples of stoneware, as well as red earthenware: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/296743_american-art-and-antiques-august-2023/

A Rare Decorated 1850s Stoneware Crock From Bennington Vermont

19th Century Four Gallon Cobalt Decorated Stoneware Crock 

Decorated with Possibly a Rooster or a Chicken

Stamped J. & E. NORTON / BENNINGTON,VT

Circa 1850s

Stands 11 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Casco Bay Auctions

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