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Rare & Exceptional 2 Gal. Blue Decorated Stoneware Pitcher
Signed, "L.D. FUNKHOUSER & CO./ STRASBURG VA"


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Item #SFP01

Description:

This 2 gallon, decorated stoneware pitcher is deeply stamped at the collar,

L.D. FUNKHOUSER & CO.
STRASBURG
VA

2

According to Comstock, Luther D. Funkhouser was a merchant in Strasburg who hired various potters to make his ware. Although he was active in Strasburg for several years, his mark is quite rare, particularly on decorated examples of pottery, and even more so on rare forms such as pitchers. Funkhouser's stamp is unique to Strasburg in its ornamentation. The mark, which is quite large, features the merchant's name in a banner-like arc, with scrolled ends, and is underlined with opposing diagonal lines and a dashed horizontal line. Between "FUNKHOUSER" and the word "STRASBURG" is a detailed rising sun design. In addition to the 2 gallon capacity mark, two hand-incised hash marks at the right of the stamp were incised by the potter to indicate the capacity. (These hash marks are difficult to see in the photos, but are clearly seen in person.)

This pitcher is decorated with four sets of cobalt swags around the midsection, vertical swags at the spout, dashes around the collar, and circles at the handle terminals. It is impressive in its size and shape, with a tall, bell-shaped body that ends in a wide foot, a thick drooping spout, and pronounced beading around the midsection. Signed pitchers, particularly of this size, are very rare. The signature on this pitcher, as well as its desirable size, make it an exceptional piece of Shenandoah Valley pottery.


Size:

12 ¾" tall.

Condition:

Very tight lines in bottom, one of which extends up the body of the pitcher and branches out near base. One very small, and three average-sized, base chips. It is our feeling that most of the damage probably occurred in the making, as many Strasburg products were damaged when fired.

Price:

S O L D
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