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Hamilton & Jones
Greensboro, PA
2 Gallon Crock
Item No. 23-006-50
This is it, plain & simple: A Perfect and Pristine Antique Hamilton & Jones 2 Gallon Cobalt Stenciled and Freehand Decorated Salt Glazed Stoneware Crock. And I mean PERFECT! NO cracks, NO chips, NO fleabites, NO spiders, NO flecks, NO fry. NO defects at all, NONE! This crock was unearthed just lest than a month ago, Friday, 05/09/03, at the dispersal sale of a sixth generation western Pennsylvania farmstead. This beautiful crock has lain unused, unscathed and untouched in a farm outbuilding in rural Western Pennsylvania for over a century! Guaranteed antique, old and original. Truly, this saltglazed stoneware crock (actually a stoneware storage jar) belongs in a museum, it is that mint, pristine and untouched. It appears never to have been used from the day it was hand-crafted in the early 1800's, well over 152 years ago! As you know, examples of Hamilton & Jones Salt Glazed Stoneware are becoming increasingly more rare, valuable and hard to find. This two gallon crock truly belongs in an advanced collection or in a museum....it is that fine. Very heavy, perfectly sound, and totally solid. Never restored! I have seen many many crocks over the years, but never one in such a fine condition! The gray is just the right color, the cobalt blue is deep and crisp, and actually the thickest I have ever seen. This crock is 12 1/2" high and 7 1/2" wide at the base. The top rim is very thick and sound with NO flaws. All edges are sharp and clean. The overall surface is smooth and fine, with no pebbling. Extremely fine glaze and finish. Folks, I have seen, admired and sold a lot of crocks in my day, but this really is the finest I have ever had the pleasure to own. Two inches from the top rim is a double incised line, sharp and deep, which completely encircles the entire crock. Directly under the projecting rim is a dark and wide freehand cobalt slash, then another very wide freehand slash over the incisement. Next we see a long wavy freehand squiggle. Later, two cobalt stencilled flourishes, then the words: "HAMILTON & JONES," a stylized stencilled rose, then "GREENSBORO, PA." Beside this is a large, beautiful freehand cobalt "2," executed in an enviable old-style script. More stencilled cobalt flourishes, then the bottom edge is finished with a final cobalt slash, the widest of all. The inside is glazed with a lovely and quite unusual brick red Albany slip glaze. Of course, when tapped the crock responds with a fine sharp clear ring. No leaks: I filled it with two gallons of fresh water just to test it! You are probably asking: "If this crock is so perfect, why is he selling it?" Good question! It breaks my heart to part with this lovely specimen, but I have just acquired yet another huge and fantastic piece and I need room to move around! I have absolutely no doubts or reservations about this crock. Everything I have said is 100% true, and I stand behind it. This Salt Glazed Stoneware Crock has been suspended in time for ages and generations, and is available for you now. It is perfect, yet ancient! |
