It bears William H. Lehew's earliest and rarest stamped maker's mark, which was used circa 1860-74. This mark commonly has the words "Strasburg, Va," on a second line, but this particular stamp shows no traces of a second line of writing. Perhaps this early Lehew mark involved a two piece stamp, and the maker forgot to stamp this jar with both. Or, this may be a previously unknown variation. At any rate, judging by the form and heavy decoration, this was probably one of the earliest Lehew jars made. It features a two-stemmed flowering plant covering nearly the entire front, in a style similar to Richard Remmey products of Philadelphia or even B.C. Milburn of Alexandria. The back of the jar is decorated with a series of hanging flowers and leafy swags, and is stamped with a circled three to indicate capacity. The ears are skillfully formed, with deep, incised grooves on top. This is an important piece of Strasburg pottery, and a far deviation from the majority of pieces Lehew made, probably one of the finest jars produced at his pottery.