Outstanding Five-Gallon Stoneware Crock with Cobalt Lion Decoration, Stamped "J. BURGER, JR. / ROCHESTER, NY", circa 1885, cylindrical crock with tooled shoulder, semi-rounded rim, and applied lug handles, decorated with a large slip-trailed design of a lion with spotted body, heavy mane, and goatee, standing atop a stylized ground with shrubs. Slip-trailed "5" to shoulder. Brushed cobalt highlights to maker's mark. The lion is considered one of the most prized designs in all of American stoneware. Perhaps the most famous and artistic examples are those produced by the Burger family of Rochester, NY. Rarely made available at public auction, this crock is the first piece of Burger stoneware with lion decoration we have offered since 2005. Its finely-executed lion carries strong folk art appeal with a stately presence. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, recently found in the Northeastern U.S. A tight sealed 6 1/2" crack from rim on right side of crock's front. A large Y-shaped crack at base, which continues onto underside, forming a second large Y. The Y on the underside continues onto side of jar, forming another faint Y. An in-the-firing, glazed-over 5" surface line at base on reverse. A 7" crack from rim on side of jar. A 1 7/8" rim chip on reverse. H 12 7/8".
Click images to enlarge.