Rare Eight-Gallon Stoneware Churn with Cobalt "Ghost Bird" Decoration, Stamped "FORT EDWARD STONEWARE CO. / FORT EDWARD, N.Y.", circa 1875, ovoid churn with tooled shoulder, semi-rounded rim, and applied lug handles, decorated with a slip-trailed design of crested bird with negative space on the interior of its body, surrounded by a large foliate spray accented with spotted trails. Slip-trailed "VIII" above, denoting eight gallons. The "ghost bird" design of Fort Edward, NY ranks among the most iconic avian motifs from this city and is yet another example of the ingenuity of 19th century stoneware decorators. While most designs utilize cobalt slip decoration surrounded by the negative space of undecorated clay, the "ghost bird" motif reverses this idea, leaving the bird undecorated, and the area surrounding it saturated in cobalt. In this manner, the bird, hidden among the leaves, is made visible to the viewer. The decorative appeal of this example is compounded by the vessel's pleasing churn form, potted in a highly unusual eight-gallon size, denoted by the Roman numerals above. Among the finest examples of this design known. Excellent condition, the interior of the rim with two small chips and very minor wear. H 19 3/4".
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