Rare 1866 Venango County, PA Water Cooler w/ Incised Duck, Wreath, Date, Etc.

March 19, 2016 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 317

Price Realized: $1,035.00

($900 hammer, plus 15% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: This result is 8 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 19, 2016 Auction Catalog

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Very Rare Seven-Gallon Stoneware Water Cooler with Incised Duck, Floral, and Potted Wreath Decorations, Signed and Dated "A S / 1866", attributed to Abraham Sampson, Irwin Township, Venango County, PA, 1866, ovoid cooler with semi-rounded rim, applied strap handles, and octagonal bunghole, decorated with an incised design of a crested duck on stylized water, below an impressed number 7 surrounded by a potted wreath. Bunghole incised "A.S." and area below bunghole additionally incised "A.S". Reverse incised again with a larger "A.S." underscored by the date 1866. Surface covered in a streaky slip and decorated with cobalt highlights to the handle terminals and top of bunghole. Excellent form and highly unusual decoration for this region. Relatively few pieces of Western PA stoneware with incised figural decoration are known. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, purchased years ago by the consignor in Western PA. Excellent, essentially as-made condition. H 19 1/2".