JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA DECORATED STONEWARE PITCHER, salt-glazed, "3" gallon capacity mark, ovoid form with squared rim, beaded neck ring, and applied strap handle. Brushed cobalt decoration horizontal floral decoration to each side, additional cobalt at handle terminals. Possibly Stephen B. Sweeney (1799-1862), Bailey's Creek, Henrico Co., VA. 1838-1863.
Literature: See Hunter (ed.) - Ceramics in America 2013, pp. 231-237 - "The Remarkable 19th-Century Stoneware of Virginia's Lower James River Valley", by Kurt Russ, Rob Hunter, Oliver Mueller-Heubach, and Marshall Goodman, p. 234, fig. 50 for a similar mark. Similar stamps can be seen in Rice - James River Stoneware and the S. S. Perry Connection, p. 251, fig. 403 bottom and p. 253, fig. 406 bottom left.
Provenance: From a Virginia private collection.
Moderate professional restoration including area from shoulder to rim. Manufacturing flaws including kiln kisses, as made.