Extremely Rare Three-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Elaborate Coggled Town Scene, Molded Handles, and Cobalt Foliate Decoration, Stamped "MORGANTOWN POTTERY", Thompson Family, Morgantown, WV, circa 1855-1860, semi-ovoid jar with flattened rim and molded lug handles featuring a stylized fan or shell motif, the shoulder decorated with an intricate coggled design of a town scene depicting two houses, a row of fencing, and a tree. Front of jar decorated with a cobalt hanging leaf motif. Reverse decorated with a leaning plant design. Cobalt highlights to handle terminals. Front of jar impressed with the extremely rare maker's mark, "MORGANTOWN POTTERY", below a three-gallon capacity mark. This important jar likely predates the Thompsons' major period of "people crock" production, as indicated by the color, style of foliate decoration, and elusive maker's mark. It is the first example we have offered bearing the "MORGANTOWN POTTERY" stamp. A Y-shaped hairline on underside, connecting to a Y-shaped crack at base. Some shallow chipping and light wear to left handle. Two chips to opposite handle. H 13".
