Exceptional Two-Gallon Stoneware Jug with Exuberant Cobalt Bird Decoration, Stamped "J. & E. NORTON, / BENNINGTON VT," circa 1855, cylindrical jug with squared spout, decorated with a large slip-trailed design of a bird perched on a vine, carrying a smaller vine in its beak. Decoration features extraordinary detail throughout the bird's body in the form of a vine with scrolled tips extending from the belly up the neck, heavy striping to the wing, and intricate dashes to the tail. Cobalt highlights to maker's mark and capacity mark. The scrolled vining and wing and tail treatments of the bird can be observed on a small number of outstanding J. & E. Norton products with avian designs, including an important six-gallon crock with Federal eagle motif, inscribed "USA." Other related bird motifs can be found on pieces from the potteries of William E. Warner in West Troy, New York and Martin Crafts of Boston, Massachusetts. The decorator is likely New York State potter, James Reilly, known for his Lansingburgh, New York, maker's mark, who worked for other Northeastern potteries including the Nortons in Bennington. Relatively few of these Reilly-type birds are known; this example features good color, excellent coverage of the design over the vessel's front, and the appealing addition of a vine in the bird's beak. Among the most unusual Norton bird-decorated pieces that we have ever offered, one that diverges dramatically from the Hilfinger motifs typical to this pottery. A tight K-shaped spider crack to underside, extending several inches diagonal onto base of jug on reverse/proper left side. This crack also form a minor 1 3/4" Y at base on front. A shallow 5/8" base chip on proper right side of jug. A few small spout chips. Two minor in-the-firing pings to surface. Minor staining. H 14 1/2".
