Very Rare ROCK CASTLE, W. VA Stenciled Advertising Stoneware Churn, c1875

Spring 2024 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 127

Price Realized: $1,920.00

($1,600 hammer, plus 20% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: The American ceramics market frequently changes, often dramatically. Additionally, small nuances of color, condition, shape, etc. can mean huge differences in price. If you're interested in having us sell a similar item for you, please contact us here.

Spring 2024 Auction Catalog

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Very Rare Three-Gallon Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Churn with Rock Castle, WV Advertising, Greensboro, PA origin, circa 1875, cylindrical churn with tooled shoulder, applied lug handles, and tall collar with semi-rounded rim, the front featuring the stenciled cobalt advertising, "A.J. STEPHENS. / DEALER IN / GENERAL M'D'SE. / NEAR / ROCK CASTLE / W . VA." Freehand stripe decoration above and below. Stenciled "3" flanked by stylized floral devices at base. Cobalt highlights to handle terminals. Provenance: From a fifty-year West Virginia collection. A sealed 7" spider crack emanating from base on side of churn. Additional thinner sealed cracks to base area and underside. A thin, approximately 5" x 3 1/2" spider line to midsection on reverse. A faint, approximately 3" x 2 1/4" spider line on side of churn below one handle. Interior edge of rim with expected wear and a small in-the-firing iron ping. Inner rim with chips and wear. Spots of staining to surface. Some wear to cobalt at bottom edge of churn's front. Minor traces of old green paint to base on reverse. H 15 1/4".