Exceptional JOHN BURGER / ROCHESTER Stoneware Water Cooler w/ Elaborate Slip-Trailed Decoration

Summer 2020 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 133

Price Realized: $5,400.00

($4,500 hammer, plus 20% buyer's premium)

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Auction Highlight: Summer 2020 Auction | NY State Stoneware

Summer 2020 Auction Catalog

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Outstanding Five-Gallon Stoneware Water Cooler with Cobalt Floral Decoration, Stamped "JOHN BURGER / ROCHESTER," NY State origin, circa 1860, ovoid form with flared rim, applied lug handles, and tapered circular bunghole, decorated on the front with a large slip-trailed blossoming plant motif depicting a daisy and a profile view of a fan-shaped blossom. Bunghole decorated with cobalt stripes and circular banding to the mouth and at its juncture with the body of the cooler. Slip-trailed "5." to shoulder. Cobalt highlights to maker's mark. John Burger's slip-trailing is regarded as some of the most artistic cobalt decoration in all of American stoneware. This cooler exhibits the potter's mastery of this technique in its life-like rendering of a plant, complete with striped and shaded details to the petals and leaves. It features a crispness to the cobalt and superb contrast with the light clay ground surrounding it. Coupled with this classic Burger motif is an extremely rare and highly-prized cooler form. Among the finest examples of Rochester stoneware to come to auction in recent years. A 1 7/8" x 1 1/2" flake to far right reverse side of cooler at base. An additional 1" stone ping at base on reverse. A tiny chip to base on front. A very minor chip to underside of bunghole.A faint 3 1/2" surface line to right of bunghole. Some exfoliation to interior. H 15".