Extremely Rare Shenandoah Valley Stoneware Jar with Elaborate Cobalt Floral Decoration and the Slip-Trailed Inscription "William Miller Jr. Strasburg, Va. S C Aug? 8 1834," Miller Pottery, Strasburg, VA, approximately two-gallon ovoid jar with rounded rim and applied tab handles, decorated with brushed cobalt leaves and flower heads on the front and a brushed cobalt foliate design on the reverse. Handles brushed over in cobalt. Further decorated around the midsection with the slip-trailed cobalt inscription "William Miller Jr. Strasburg, Va. S C Aug? 8 1834," the date underscored by a looping flourish. The initials "S C" likely refer to "Shenandoah County." One of a very few examples known bearing a signature of William Miller, Jr., who may have been a decorator of pieces produced by his brothers, John and James Miller, in Strasburg, VA. (Comstock, p.292). Recently found in a Baltimore, MD area home. One of the most important examples of early Virginia stoneware to be sold at auction in recent years. Heavy chipping to one handle. Chips to opposite handle. Approximately 4" Y-shaped crack on underside, extending onto base, where it splits and continues approximately 8 1/2" up side of jar in two places. Chip on interior of rim. Heavy chipping to base. H 12 1/4".
