This is a significant example of a four-gallon mid-nineteenth century cobalt decorated stoneware crock made at the Julius (1809-1861) and Edward Norton (1815-1885) Pottery in Bennington, Vermont, circa 1850-1859, seeing that the folk art decoration found on this object, depicting a bird and a floral scene is very similar to some of the decorative techniques used on some of the more intricate stoneware produced at William E. Warner's (1810-1896) business in West Troy, New York. However, Warner seems to have been working in some capacity in the pottery industry in Albany, New York before he arrived in West Troy, where his company produced a wide variety of stoneware from the circa 1840-1860 period. The most iconic example of this company's production is perhaps a six-gallon crock that is elaborately decorated with a heavily detailed scene of a lion standing in a jungle, owned as part of Adam Weitsman's Collection at the New York State Museum in Albany.
Interestingly, Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland sold a very similar probably related bird in 2013 from West Troy that was three-gallons in size, where they noted, "This same treatment of heavy spotting and vining to the body can be observed in some of the best examples of J. & E. Norton stoneware from Bennington, Vermont, indicating the itinerance of a decorator from the Warner shop to the Norton factory:" https://www.crockerfarm.com/stoneware-auction/2013-11-02/lot-214/Outstanding-WM-E-WARNER-WEST-TROY-Stoneware-Bird-Crock-w-Elaborate-Design/.
The decorator is believed to be James Reiley, which according to New York historians Tim Bailey and Warren Broderick, "Is known for his quirky birds; his signature design elements are dots, dashes and fronds." Reiley worked in Lansingburgh, Troy and West Troy in New York, as well as in Bennington.
I could be wrong, although I cannot find another example of this exact cobalt decorated bird drawn on any form of stoneware from Bennington in a museum collection or published in a book, suggesting that this may be the only bird of this style known from this decorator with the "J. & E. Norton / Bennington VT" mark. Nevertheless, this 1850-1859 period of production in Bennington is also known for its exceptional quality of production and accomplished cobalt decorated designs.
Furthermore, as I have already noted in previous posts, this rare crock will be included as part of a very good single-owner private collection of 40 or so pieces of stoneware that will soon be available through Antiques Associates at West Townsend in Massachusetts. This particular crock was actually recently discovered in an estate in Maine before it was later acquired by the present-owner.
Outstanding Folk Art Crock Depicting a Bird and a Floral Scene in Cobalt
Four-Gallon 19th Century Folk Art Stoneware Crock Depicting a Bird and a Floral Scene
Made at the J.E. Norton Stoneware Factory in Bennington, Vermont
Likely Decorated by James Reiley
This is Perhaps the Only Bird Known Like this from Bennington
Circa 1850-1859
Stands 11 1/2" Tall
See Article for More Information
Additional Views of the Crock
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Antiques Associates at West Townsend in Massachusetts
(Left) The Crock Shown and Discussed Above
(Right) 19th Century Folk Art Stoneware Crock Depicting a Bird and a Floral Scene
Made at William E. Warner's Factory in West Troy, New York
Likely Decorated by James Reiley
The Decorator Appears to be the Same Person on Both Objects
Circa 1850
This Crock Measures Three-Gallons in Size
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: AAAWT and Crocker Farm
Six-Gallon 19th C. Folk Art Stoneware Crock Depicting an Eagle with an American Flag
Made at the J.E. Norton Stoneware Factory in Bennington, Vermont
Likely Decorated by James Reiley
Circa 1850-1859
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: David Wheatcroft
No comments:
Post a Comment