Outstanding Six-Gallon Stoneware Crock with Cobalt Flower Basket, Deer, and House Scene, Stamped "J. & E. NORTON / BENNINGTON, VT," circa 1855, cylindrical crock with tooled shoulder, semi-rounded rim, and applied lug handles, decorated with a large slip-trailed design of a crosshatched basket with open handles, brimming leaves, dotted trails, and a flower with spiraling interior, flanked by a reclining deer with spotted body and a house with three windows, a door, and circular dormer. Stylized ground is slip-trailed below, accented with shrubs and a fence. The distinctive style of the slip-trailing indicates the design was executed by one of the nation's leading 19th century stoneware decorators, John Hilfinger (1826-1888). A native of Wurttemberg, Germany, Hilfinger's artwork can be found on pieces produced at various potteries in New York State and most notably at the Julius and Edward Norton pottery in Bennington, Vermont, during the middle of the century. Featuring three iconic Hilfinger/Norton motifs on a single vessel, this work is noteworthy for the composition of the scene. Rarely are these three motifs included on the same piece and even more seldom-seen is the depiction of the flower basket as the larger central focal point. Featuring an outstanding size and superb color with thick, enamel-like cobalt, this work is distinguished as one of a very few Norton pieces decorated in this manner. Provenance: Waasdorp American Pottery Auction, September 19, 2009, lot 111, cover lot (only lot depicted on the cover). Areas of restoration to surface of rim. Areas of restoration to surface of shoulder. A thin, restored 3 1/2" diagonal crack from rim on reverse. A thin, restored 3 1/4" line from rim above proper right handle. Restoration to terminals of proper right handle and some restoration to surface of proper right handle. Some possible restoration to surface of proper left handle as paint is visible, although this could be overspray from the aforementioned restoration to the shoulder. A mostly thin X-shaped crack across underside, part of which extends 8" up far left side of crock's front. A long, thin surface crack at base on reverse, not visible on interior. A small base chip on reverse. Some light staining to reverse. Entire decoration remains unrestored. H 13 1/2" ; Diam. (at rim) 13 3/4".
