Exceptional J.A.C (John Anderson Craven, Randolph County, NC) Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Jar

Winter 2026 Auction of the Carole Wahler Collection

Lot #: 195

Price Realized: $3,360.00

($2,800 hammer, plus 20% buyer's premium)

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Auction Highlight: Winter 2026 Auction of the Carole Wahler Collection Auction | Southern Pottery | North Carolina Pottery

Winter 2026 Auction Catalog

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Exceptional Two-Gallon Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Jar, Stamped "J.A.C," John Anderson Craven, Randolph County, NC, mid 19th century, tapering jar with open-strap handles, the rim and shoulder decorated completely around with two freehand stripes. Surface covered in a heavy salt glaze including dramatic runs to one side descending over the handle. Shoulder impressed with the maker's mark of John Anderson Craven along with a two-gallon capacity mark. Includes original salt-glazed lid with tooled midsection, pointed finial, and cobalt highlights. This jar is the first cobalt-decorated example of stoneware marked by John Anderson Craven that we have ever offered. Its addition of this scarce cobalt brushwork and inclusion of its original decorated lid place it among the best examples of this potter's work to be sold at our auction. In her notes, Wahler states, "This is a great jar and money should be made on it." Jar in excellent, essentially as-made condition. Lid with a thin 3 1/2" crack from edge, minor in-the-firing tripod marks to top edge, two chips to underside of edge, and four small chips to flange on underside. H (including lid) 13".