STAMPED "B.C. MILBURN", ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA DECORATED STONEWARE PITCHER, salt-glazed, "2" gallon capacity mark, tall ovoid form with two incised rings to shoulder and one below rim, lightly grooved strap handle, straight cut-off lines under base. Well-executed slip-trailed cobalt horizontal intersecting chains to neck, and single horizontal chain supporting a draped chain with hanging flowers full round, additional chain decoration surrounding handle terminals. Benedict Calvert Milburn (1805-1867), Wilkes Street pottery, Alexandria, VA. Circa 1833-1850. 13 3/4" H, 6 5/8" D rim.
Published: Wilder - Alexandria, Virginia Pottery, p. 207, figs. BCM007-BCM007b.
Literature: Stamp as ibid, p. 323, Mk XIIb.
Provenance: From the collection of the late Eddie Wilder of Alexandria, Virginia.
Catalogue Note: Eddie Wilder noted "As B. C. Milburn began to use slip-trailed decorations on his stoneware, he embarked on a creative adventure in thin-line artistry." He also described this pitcher as "Truly an important specimen using slip-trailed cobalt."
Condition
Good as-found condition, freeze crack around base and two moderate chips to edge of base, several small spots of glaze flaking and staining to reverse above base.