Extremely Rare Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Canning Jar with Cobalt Cat Decoration, Inscribed "This is a Cat," Ohio origin, circa 1875, squat-shaped jar with tooled shoulder and squared "wax sealer" rim, decorated with a large brushed folk art design of a standing cat with head-on stare and raised tail. Inscribed below in cobalt with the words, "This is a Cat." Cats are among the rarest animal motifs found on American stoneware. The vast majority of the handful of cat-decorated pieces known were produced by William Macquoid in Manhattan, New York, circa 1870, The jar's inclusion of the expository line, "This is a Cat," adds to the rarity and charm of the piece, imbuing the object with a certain sense of humor. The small-sized, canning jar form of the vessel enhances its appeal. A tight hairline extending across underside, continuing 5" up left side of jar. A few rim chips. A 3/4" in-the-firing surface flake (contact mark) to reverse, beside a much smaller flake. An area of lighter salt glazing below cat. H 6 3/4".
