A. O. WHITTEMORE / HAVANA, NY Stoneware Jar w/ Exceptional Lion Decoration

March 25, 2017 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 424

Price Realized: $2,065.00

($1,750 hammer, plus 18% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: This result is 7 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 25, 2017 Auction Catalog

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Exceptional Two-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Large Cobalt Lion Decoration, Stamped "A.O. WHITTEMORE / HAVANA, N.Y., " circa 1870, ovoid jar with tooled shoulder, semi-squared rim, and applied lug handles, decorated with a very large slip-trailed design of a lion with heavy mane, spotted body, and upswept tail, reclining atop a stylized ground with shrubs. Cobalt highlights to maker's mark and capacity mark. The solid-cobalt face of the lion relate it to several deer decorations with similarly-depicted faces, found on pieces bearing the mark, "J. NORTON & CO. / BENNINGTON, VT." The lion differs in the depiction of its face from the typical lion designs created for the Nortons by itinerant artist, John Hilfinger; however, the overall style of the body and tail, as well as the face's connection with Norton deer motifs, suggest the design may have been executed by an itinerant artist who worked in New York State and Bennington, Vermont. This design ranks as one of the finest depictions of a lion we have ever offered. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, from a long-term private collection. Exfoliation to surface, not affecting decoraton, most prominent on reverse. One handle restored. A tight Y-shaped crack on underside, continuing 6" up reverse and 3" up front of jar. A small rim chip and short line from rim on side of jar. A partially-filled base chip on reverse. H 9 7/8".