Important Twenty-Gallon Stoneware Presentation Jar with Profuse Cobalt Freehand and Stenciled Decoration, Stenciled "JAMES McCLURE," Reverse Inscribed "From James Hamilton & Co. / Greensboro, PA," circa 1875, cylindrical jar with banded midsection, tooled shoulder, semi-squared rim, and applied lug handles. Front lavishly-decorated with freehand vining, stripes, semi-lunate brushwork, and fuchsias, above the boldly-stenciled name "JAMES McCLURE" between two large bands of brushed cobalt slip. Underside with freehand vining and possibly-unique stenciled daisies with star center. Base further decorated with three rows of freehand vining, surrounding a script "20". Reverse with finely-inscribed word "From" above the stenciled signature "James Hamilton & Co. / Greensboro, Pa.," the signature embellished with several rows of freehand stripes. Underside incised with the name "Washington," using a thick, blunt tool. Although the identities of the jar's recipient, James McClure, or the presumed jar's maker, a man named Washington, are currently unknown, a few African-American laborers are listed in Western Pennsylvania census records by the name Washington. A visually-stunning example, which epitomizes the Western Pennsylvania style of stoneware decoration. Among the thousands and thousands of Western Pennsylvania pieces known, this example is possibly the finest-decorated jar from the region known. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, purchased in Gettysburg approximately thirty-five years ago. Large curving crack extending down front and ending on side of jar. Long crack on very left side of decoration, under left handle, become very thin at top and bottom ends. 7/8" hairline in rim. Minor chip to end of one handle. H 24 1/2".
