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R.T. Williams
New Geneva, PA
6 Gallon Crock
Item No. 23-008-50
This is an absolutely Huge Six Gallon Cobalt Freehand and Stencil Decorated R. T. Williams Salt Glazed Stoneware Crock in Near Mint Condition. An antique Stoneware Storage Jar, to be exact. Very old, appx. 1850, yet in a truly remarkable and spotless condition. Notice first the overall shape, like an upended old fashioned top hat.... top diameter is 11 3/4," and the bottom diameter is almost 12 1/2." In other words, the bottom is wider than the top, which gives this early crock a most unusual and pleasing aspect of solidity and stability. And it IS extremely sound and solid. Rap it sharply with a knuckle, and you will be rewarded with a nice sharp ring! This monster stands just a hair under 14 3/4" high. The thick rolled rim is totally unchipped, which is rare in a crock of this size. A very deeply and sharply double incised line completely encircles the crock 1" below the top rim, then again at 1 1/2." A bold cobalt freehand slash crosses the front, immediately below the incising line. The two applied curved lug handles are firmly and permanently attached, with no separation. These lugs too, are beautifully decorated with a deep cobalt freehand. Next comes a delightful freehand cobalt squiggle boldly applied across the face of the crock. R.T. WILLIAMS was one of the earliest of the old-line Western Pennsylvania salt glazed stoneware makers, the forerunner of Williams & Reppert, fully as renowned as James Hamilton and Hamilton & Jones. The maker's name: "WILLIAMS" is stenciled in the middle of the crock, followed by thickly applied dark cobalt mirror-image flourishes, then: "NEW GENEVA, PA." Next comes a large freehand "6," depicting capacity in gallons, surrounded by deep cobalt flourishing highlights. The very bottom rim edge is decorated with the widest freehand horizontal freehand cobalt slash of all, which mirrors that on the top rim. What an overall pleasing scheme! Very, very clean, inside and out. One short and very fine hairline on the side where it does not affect use, display or value. I acquired this large and highly decorated Salt glazed Stoneware Crock at the dispersal sale of an old-line stoneware collector near to the West Virginia border. The Crock features an all over well-developed salt glaze with an extremely fine and even texture. The inside is thickly glazed with a beautiful dark chocolate brown Albany slip glaze. The bottom of this crock is not at all flat, it is made with a very high arch to give added strength, like the bottom of a champagne bottle. Again, most unusual! One lug handle has a small fleabite, but its location on the underside is barely noticeable. This pristine crock has had NO repairs and NO restoration. It really is a beauty, and will be very rewarding to add to the collection of even the most advanced lover of fine stoneware. The color and the cobalt decoration are sharp, deep and clear. Really, I cannot recommend this crock strongly enough. |
