Extremely Rare and Important Chester Webster Jug w/ Incised Cobalt Birds, Cover of Scarborough's NC Decorated Stoneware

Summer 2025 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 66

Estimate: $5,000-$8,000. About Estimates   About Shipping

An estimate is an expected selling price for an item at auction. The price ranges for each lot are considered conservative in value, and are listed as a courtesy to our bidders to give them an idea of how much they may be expected to pay to win the item. It is entirely possible for an item to sell for less or more than the given estimate.

×

Unlike almost every major auction house in the country, we handle our own shipping in-house. We understand how frustrating it can be to have to work with third-party shippers to have your objects delivered to you. Meanwhile, we also understand how important it is for you to receive your objects safely. We have over 40 years of experience safely packing antique ceramics. By default your invoice will include a shipping total via UPS Ground; you can also, of course, pick up objects at our gallery. Please feel free to contact us if you would like a quote. (A very few lots will have notes at the end of their descriptions letting you know that the object is too big or fragile for us to handle shipping ourselves.)

×

◀︎ Back to Catalog

Summer 2025 Auction Catalog

◀︎ Back to Catalog

▶ Login

$

LOGIN TO BID ON THIS LOT. (Don't have an account? It's free and easy to SIGN UP.)

Extremely Rare and Important Five-Quart Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Jug with Incised Bird and Floral Motifs, attributed to Chester Webster, Randolph County, NC, mid 19th century, ovoid jug with squared spout, grooved handle, and incised straight and wavy line treatment to shoulder, decorated on each side with an incised design of a bird flanking a central incised floral motif, each highlighted in cobalt slip. One bird is depicted on a branch with upward gaze (as if staring at the jug's spout), depicted with a crest, ringed neck, fine wing detail, and heavily-feathered body; the other is depicted with forward-facing stance crest, ringed neck with vertical striping, heart-shaped wing treatment, and heavily-feathered body, standing on a grassy mound. The central floral motif depicts a frill-edged blossom with delicately-incised interior or possibly a group of conjoined leaves. The base of the handle features an incised border with vertical and horizontal slashes within. Both terminals of the handle are brushed over in cobalt slip. Wonderfully-decorated with two different bird motifs, this jug is elevated by its use of cobalt slip decoration, rarely seen in Webster's work. The quality of craftsmanship of this jug and its decorative appeal led it to be chosen for the cover of Quincy Scarborough's definitive work on the Webster family's stoneware production in North Carolina. Literature: Illustrated on the cover of Scarborough, North Carolina Decorated Stoneware: The Webster School of Folk Potters, first edition; illustrated in Scarborough, second edition, p. 56, fig. 56. Professional restoration to most of spout. Reverse of spout intact with no restoration involving its juncture with the handle. A 1 1/8" flake to underside at edge. Two minor chips to underside at edge. H 11 1/4".

Extremely Rare and Important Chester Webster Jug w/ Incised Cobalt Birds, Cover of Scarborough s NC Decorated StonewareExtremely Rare and Important Chester Webster Jug w/ Incised Cobalt Birds, Cover of Scarborough s NC Decorated StonewareExtremely Rare and Important Chester Webster Jug w/ Incised Cobalt Birds, Cover of Scarborough s NC Decorated StonewareExtremely Rare and Important Chester Webster Jug w/ Incised Cobalt Birds, Cover of Scarborough s NC Decorated StonewareExtremely Rare and Important Chester Webster Jug w/ Incised Cobalt Birds, Cover of Scarborough s NC Decorated StonewareExtremely Rare and Important Chester Webster Jug w/ Incised Cobalt Birds, Cover of Scarborough s NC Decorated StonewareExtremely Rare and Important Chester Webster Jug w/ Incised Cobalt Birds, Cover of Scarborough s NC Decorated StonewareExtremely Rare and Important Chester Webster Jug w/ Incised Cobalt Birds, Cover of Scarborough s NC Decorated StonewareExtremely Rare and Important Chester Webster Jug w/ Incised Cobalt Birds, Cover of Scarborough s NC Decorated StonewareExtremely Rare and Important Chester Webster Jug w/ Incised Cobalt Birds, Cover of Scarborough s NC Decorated Stoneware

Click images to enlarge.

©2025 Crocker Farm, Inc. | info@crockerfarm.com | (410) 472-2016