Exceptional Six-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Elaborate Cobalt Grapes Decoration, Stamped "COWDEN & WILCOX / HARRISBURG, PA," circa 1865, large-sized, ovoid jar with tooled shoulder, squared rim, and applied lug handles, decorated with an elaborate design of a cluster of fifteen grapes hanging from a leafy stem, flanked by looping vines. Unusual incised and cobalt-highlighted X motifs flank the maker's mark. Cobalt highlights to maker's mark, capacity mark, and terminals of left handle. The vast majority of Cowden & Wilcox grapes designs feature a smaller cluster of eight grapes. Few featuring a cluster of greater size are known. The size and color of the design on this example, the unusual X-shaped flourishes flanking the maker's mark, and the exceptional size to the vessel, combine to form what we consider the finest grapes-decorated jar by this maker that we have ever offered. Very nice condition with an approximately 2 7/8" in-the-firing separation to interior of rim on reverse, partially visible on exterior, a minor chip to one handle, two in-the-firing chips to underside, and two small, post-firing chips to bottom edge. Jar is additionally slightly out-of-round and has some staining. H 14 5/8".
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