Lidded Water Cooler
RetailerSold by
Wells & Goodwin
(American, 1847 - 1856)
MakerAttributed to
Hastings & Belding
(American, 1850 - 1854)
Date1850-1854
MediumWheel-thrown stoneware with a salt glaze, dark brown slip glaze, and cobalt blue decoration; cork
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height including lid x diameter): 20 1/4 x 9 1/2in. (51.4 x 24.1cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number1987.123.0a-c
DescriptionLarge, round, buff-colored stoneware lidded water cooler, with a salt glaze on the exterior and a dark brown slip glaze, or Albany-type slip glaze, on the interior. The elaborately decorated cooler (.b) sits on a round foot, has an ovoid body, and a flared rim. There are two borders of raised decoration, one at the base and one at the top of the ovoid body, consisting of a raised band of stoneware with a line of beading above and below. Just below this line, at the top of the ovoid body, are two sprigg-molded handles on opposite sides of the cooler. The handles are each in the shape of an oval that is applied flat to the surface of the stoneware. Small leaves and scrolls are located at the bottom of the oval. Between the two handles, once on each side of the cooler, are two sprigg-molded designs, each showing a tall female figure in neoclassical, short, draped clothing, with a dog or stag at her feet. The borders, handles, and sprigg-molded neoclassical figure have been hand-painted with cobalt blue. Between each sprigg-molded element, the handles, and figures, is an abstract cobalt blue floral design. Finally, the water cooler has a circular spout, outlined in cobalt blue, below the sprigg-molded figure on one side. A cork stopper (.c) is inserted into the spout. Above the spout, on the side of the cooler, is an impressed maker's mark, "WELLS & GOODWIN/ HARTFORD". Above the top border, centered over the spout and the mark, is an impressed number "4". The glazed surface of the water cooler is generally of good quality, with one blemish below one of the handles, an area of discoloration above and to the left of the spout, and an overall spattering of light brown spots. There are three chips in the brown slip glaze on the inside of the water cooler.
Lid (.a): The circular, domed lid of the cooler has a flat disc-shaped finial in the center; the finial is a replacement. This is surrounded by a series of borders and decorations in concentric circles. The first is a beaded border with incised leaves evenly-spaced around the beaded border, followed by the rim. Cobalt blue decoration has been applied to the rim, leaves, and general floral arrangements on the lid, just as on the water cooler. The inside of the lid is not glazed.
NotesSubject Note: The figure on the side of the water cooler is most likely the Greek goddess Diana (Roman Artemis). Diana is a virgin huntress portrayed as tall woman wearing a short tunic, accompanied by a dog or stag.Lid (.a): The circular, domed lid of the cooler has a flat disc-shaped finial in the center; the finial is a replacement. This is surrounded by a series of borders and decorations in concentric circles. The first is a beaded border with incised leaves evenly-spaced around the beaded border, followed by the rim. Cobalt blue decoration has been applied to the rim, leaves, and general floral arrangements on the lid, just as on the water cooler. The inside of the lid is not glazed.
Status
Not on view
