The estate of Marshfield, Massachusetts antiques dealer and collector Matt King is in the process of being sold by Flying Pig Auctions in Westmoreland, New Hampshire. However, due to the size of the collection and dealer inventory, it is being offered in several sales, which included part of Phase 1 that sold today.
There were a number of examples of American red earthenware and stoneware, although the most sought after piece of pottery was a nineteenth century three-gallon stoneware butter churn adorned with incised soldiers, possibly maneuvering a cannon, and highlighted with cobalt. The churn retains a wooden dasher and lid, although it is unmarked, only bearing a stylized impressed "3" for the gallon capacity.
Some of the soldiers are seen raising their guns in the air, while the largest soldier is dressed in a striped uniform and carries an American flag with nine stars. All of the soldiers are also adorned with hats; the grouping may represent a small artillery crew. It may also represent a commemorative Civil War depiction. The best-known example of a Civil War grouping is most likely a cobalt decorated jar that sold at Crocker Farm in Maryland in 2014 for over $400,000: https://www.crockerfarm.com/stoneware-auction/2014-07-19/lot-1A/Exceptional-Stoneware-Churn-w-Detailed-Decoration-of-Four-Civil-War-Soldiers/.
With this particular decoration, it is unclear if this was a fantasy scene drawn by a potter/decorator or if it actually depicts an historical event in nineteenth century American history, seeing that there has never been an official 9-star national flag of the United States. But the first national flag of the Confederacy during the Civil War, known as the "Stars and Bars," briefly featured nine stars in May 1861. This version represented the first nine states that seceded from the Union (South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, and Arkansas). The stars were typically arranged in a circle pattern rather than a grid. This version was official for only a few days before more states joined and stars were added. Post-war reunion flags also often used nine stars to symbolize the initial wave of seceding states.
Overall though, the decoration appears to suggest a Civil War affiliation or a patriotic post-war commemorative theme; the churn sold for $33,000 plus the buyer's premium: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/227748092_wonderful-important-and-rare-stoneware-3-gal-butter-churn-w-incised-and-cobalt-soldiers-american-flag-westmoreland-nh.
19th Century Civil War Themed Stoneware Butter Churn
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