Outstanding Three-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Freehand Cobalt Decoration and Sacramento, KY Advertising, Stenciled "ManuFACturED. BY / J.H. MiLLER / BRANDENBURG . KY," circa 1860, cylindrical jar with flattened semi-squared rim and tapering vertical-strap handles, brush-decorated at the shoulder with stylized floral motifs between bands of conjoined ovals. Midsection stenciled with the advertising, "FROM / J.M. CLEEK / SACRAMENtO . KY." Base stenciled with J.H. Miller maker's marks. Reverse impressed "3" at shoulder. Featuring a scarce vertical-handled form, top-to-bottom cobalt application, and rare double stenciling for both the merchant and maker, this jar ranks among the finest examples of Miller's work that we have ever offered. A long thin crack to base area. A shallow 5/8" rim chip on reverse. A 1/2" rim chip on front. A thin, 4 1/4" Y-shaped crack on proper right side of jar, partially visible on interior. This crack includes an additional short diagonal crack extending off from the stem of the Y. A thin 6 1/2" crack to underside. Typical small in-the-firing ping and iron spots. H 11 3/4".
