BROWN FAMILY, ALLEGHANY CO., VALLEY OF VIRGINIA STONEWARE DECORATED STONEWARE CAKE CROCK

BROWN FAMILY, ALLEGHANY CO., VALLEY OF VIRGINIA STONEWARE DECORATED STONEWARE CAKE CROCK, salt-glazed, approximately one-and-one-half gallon capacity, truncated cylindrical form with pronounced flat-top rim and upright strap handles. Brushed cobalt upright floral decoration on both sides. Brown family pottery, Potts Mountain, Alleghany Co., VA. Mid 19th century.

Condition: Two minor flakes to rim with some scattered flecks of green paint, otherwise undamaged.

Size: 6 3/4" H, 9" D rim.

Provenance: Provenance: Property from the estate collection of Dan and Doris Chrisman, Roanoke, VA.Catalogue Note: This crock exhibits identical vertical handles and cobalt decoration as lot 1036 in this auction. 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.