PARR FAMILY (ATTRIBUTED), RICHMOND, VIRGINIA DECORATED STONEWARE BUTTER CHURN, salt-glazed, "4" gallon capacity mark, shouldered cylindrical form with incised shoulder ring below the deep galleried rim, arched extruded handles. Brushed cobalt horizontal tulip and foliage decoration on each side, additional cobalt at handle terminals. Attributed to David Parr Jr. (1819-1882), possibly working as Keesee & Parr (active 1858-1865), Richmond, VA or John L. Parr operating the Richmond Pottery Co. (after 1866-1890). Circa 1860-1890. 17" H, 9" D rim.
Literature: For the latest research on Parr in Richmond see Hunter (ed.) - Ceramics in America 2013, pp. 210-213 - "The Remarkable 19th-Century Stoneware of Virginia's Lower James River Valley", by Kurt Russ, Rob Hunter, Oliver Mueller-Heubach, and Marshall Goodman.
Provenance: From the collection of the late Eddie Wilder of Alexandria, Virginia.
Catalogue Note: Very few pieces marked for the firm of Keesee & Parr have been recorded. The attribution for this churn is based on the close similarity of its decoration to several of the signed examples. In addition, the design of the capacity mark is also consistent with those found on signed pieces.
Condition
Excellent condition, moderate shallow chip to exterior of rim, very light, tight hairline below one handle, glazed-over chip to base edge, as made.