Outstanding Three-Gallon Stoneware Pedestal-Based Water Cooler with Elaborate Cobalt Decoration, Stenciled "From / James Hamilton & Co / Greensboro, Pa, circa 1875, ovoid cooler with squared bunghole, semi-rounded rim, and applied lug handles, seated atop a footed pedestal base. Front stenciled with the maker's mark, "From / James Hamilton & Co / Greensboro, Pa," between two stenciled designs of stylized, scrolled vining. This design additionally adorns the cooler's attached pedestal base and also appears twice on the reverse of the cooler and once again on the reverse of the cooler's base. Freehand stripe decoration highlights the rim and base of the cooler and pedestal base. Brushed cobalt highlights the handle terminals as well. A 4 1/4" x 3 3/4" professionally-restored contact mark to front, which includes touch-up to the letters "om" in "From," part of the letter "m" and the letters "ilton" in "Hamilton, and the letters "sbo" in "Greensboro." A narrow 7/8" flake to interior of rim. Other minor chips to interior of rim. Chips to right handle. A 2 1/4" horizontal surface crack and minor nick to rounded molding at base of cooler / top of pedestal. Light, scattered surface exfoliation to base. A minor in-the-firing ping to foot of pedestal. H 16 1/4".
