Rare and Important Six-Gallon Stoneware Churn with Cobalt Lion Decoration, Stamped "J. BURGER, JR. / ROCHESTER, NY", circa 1880, semi-ovoid churn with tooled shoulder, applied lug handles, and flared collar, decorated with a slip-trailed design of a striding lion with raised front leg, atop a stylized ground with tree. Lion features elaborate detail to body, including a long, flowing mane, whiskers, goateed chin, spotted body, and striped accents along the edges of the animal's form. Slip-trailed "6" to shoulder. Brushed cobalt highlights to maker's mark. Includes Albany-slip-glazed lid. Among the finest examples of Rochester, NY stoneware to come to market in years, this churn depicts a lion motif that is noticeably different than those typically produced by this maker. The head includes pointed ears, longer whiskers, and a drooping upper lip, which relate this depiction to earlier, finer lion designs executed at the shop of Frederick Stetzenmeyer, suggesting a previous Stetzenmeyer decorator may be its artist. The color of this churn is perhaps the finest that we have seen on a piece of stoneware produced at this shop, exhibiting brilliant, glossy cobalt against a light-gray background. This work is easily regarded as one of the finest examples of John Burger, Jr. stoneware known. Churn in excellent condition with a thin, approximately 1 1/4" crack from rim above right handle and a shallow chip and wear to inner for lid. Lid with minor chipping to edge. H 19 1/2".
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