Extremely Rare KEESEE & PARR / RICHMOND, VIRGINIA Stoneware Water Cooler

Summer 2021 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 82

Price Realized: $1,560.00

($1,300 hammer, plus 20% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: This result is 3 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.

Summer 2021 Auction Catalog

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Extremely Rare Five-Gallon Stoneware Water Cooler, Stamped "KEESEE & PARR / RICHMOND, VIRGINIA," circa 1860, cylindrical form with rounded shoulder, squared rim, and ribbed lug handles, the base fitted with an unusually-large cylindrical bung hole. Front decorated with a large brushed cobalt tulip emanating from a heavily-leafed stem. Cobalt brushwork highlights the mouth and base of the bung hole as well as the handle terminals. Impressed on front with stamp of potter, David Parr, Jr. and merchant, Thomas W. Keesee, below a five-gallon capacity mark. Albany-slip-glazed interior. The impressed mark on this cooler is an extremely rare variant of the Keesee & Parr stamp, in which the letters are much larger and the state of origin, "Virginia," is completely spelled out. Few water coolers produced in the entire state of Virginia are known. This piece is the only signed water cooler from this pottery that we are aware of and among its most important works. Restoration by Thomas Restorations of Laurel, MD to cracks in underside and two large pieces that had been reglued at base, one of which extended around the bung hole. Additional restoration to a 2" rim chip on front and a 3 1/2" hairline from rim on front by Thomas Restorations. The following has been left unrestored- two 4" cracks from rim, a 1 1/2" hairline from rim, and a 3/4" chip to top of rim, a 10" vertical hairline to midsection on reverse, and a tiny chip to bunghole. H 17 1/2".