BROWN FAMILY, ALLEGHANY CO., VALLEY OF VIRGINIA, DECORATED STONEWARE JAR

BROWN FAMILY, ALLEGHANY CO., VALLEY OF VIRGINIA, DECORATED STONEWARE JAR, salt-glazed, approximately two-gallon capacity, tall semi-ovoid form with plain flat-top rim and vertical strap handles. Brushed cobalt floral decoration to both sides. Brown family pottery, Potts Mountain, Alleghany Co., VA. Mid 19th century.

Condition: Good condition with moderate shallow rim flake and one handle with hairline. Firing imperfections, including glazed over flake to base, as made.

Size: 11 3/4" H, 5 1/2" D rim.

Provenance: Provenance: Property from the estate collection of Dan and Doris Chrisman, Roanoke, VA.Catalogue Note: The attribution for this jar is based on lot 1037 in this auction, an identical form that is stamped "G. A. Brown". Kurt Russ' article "Exploring Western Virginia Potteries" (MESDA Journal, vol. XXI, no. 2, Winter 1995, p. 131) identifies three members of the Brown family who were listed as potters in the 1850 Federal Census for Alleghany Co. This includes John Brown (b. 1801) and his two sons Gustavus A. Brown (b. 1834) and John W. Brown (b. 1834). Gustavus Brown was born in Botetourt Co. so it is likely that his father was working there at that time. By 1860 the elder Brown was working as a potter in Tazewell Co. while Gustavus had moved to Henrico Co. where he married Parmelia Duke and worked as a "Stone Potter" at a yet to be identified pottery.