Very Rare Four-Gallon Stoneware Churn with Cobalt Double-Pheasant Decoration, Stamped "J. &. E. NORTON / BENNINGTON, VT.," circa 1855, ovoid churn with tooled shoulder, flared collar, and applied lug handles, decorated with a slip-trailed design of crossed pheasants with turned heads and elaborate tails, perched on the branches of a tree stump. Cobalt highlights to maker's mark and capacity mark. An iconic and highly-artistic design, the Norton double-pheasant motif was possibly the most difficult of this pottery's designs to execute, as it required an almost mirror-image symmetry to create the opposing birds. The decoration on this example covers much of the vessel's front, spanning approximately 11" x 7", and is executed in bold, Bennington cobalt slip against a light clay background. The piece's desirable churn form beautifully presents its striking, vertically-oriented image. Various tight lines to surface. A thin, 2 3/4" crack from rim on side of churn. A 2" in-the-firing line on interior of rim, not visible on exterior. A 3/4" in-the-firing iron ping to reverse and a 3/8" iron ping to left side of churn's front. A small chip and light wear to interior of rim. Three tiny nicks to inner rim for lid. H 17 1/4".
