Extremely Rare BROWN BROTHER , / HUNTINGTON / LI "Buy the Best" Stoneware Jar

March 14, 2015 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 372

Price Realized: $2,415.00

($2,100 hammer, plus 15% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: This result is 9 years old, and the American ceramics market frequently changes. Additionally, small nuances of color, condition, shape, etc. can mean huge differences in price. If you're interested in having us sell a similar item for you, please contact us here.

March 14, 2015 Auction Catalog

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Extremely Rare Two-Gallon Stoneware Epitaph Crock with Cobalt Inscription "BUY THE BEST," Stamped "BROWN BROTHER , / HUNTINGTON, L.I.," New York State origin, circa 1870-1885, cylindrical crock with tooled shoulder, semi-rounded rim, and applied lug handles, featuring the cobalt inscription "BUY THE BEST", underscored by a looping line. This crock is one of a small number of inscribed epitaph crocks made at the Brown Brothers Pottery, considered to be the firm's best work. The wonderful advertising slogan on this crock proudly promotes the quality of craftsmanship at the Brown Brothers Pottery. The term "BUY THE BEST" is still used in the advertising campaigns of numerous products to this day. One of the finest examples of Brown Brothers stoneware to come to auction in many years. Provenance: Donald Matties Collection. Literature: Pictured on p. 44 of USEFUL ART: LONG ISLAND POTTERY, Cynthia Arps Corbett, Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities, 1985. Sealed cracks at base/underside, including a 3 1/2" reglued piece visible at base and a 1 1/4" reglued piece on underside. A 2 1/2" sealed line extends from this damage up front of crock. A sealed, approximately 7" crack from rim on front. A sealed top-to-bottom crack on reverse. A sealed 7" crack from rim on side of crock. Filled chip at base on reverse. Two small chips to one handle and a chip to opposite handle. A small iron ping to right side of crock.