1861 1881 E & L P Norton 3 Gal Cobalt Blue Bird Decorated Stoneware Crock

  

A LITTLE HISTORY : The Norton pottery dynasty predates Vermonts statehood, and was founded by Captain John Norton in 1785. Stoneware was not the initial product manufactured, as unmarked red ware pieces were the earliest offerings, but salt-glazed stoneware soon followed. The stoneware pieces from this period were marked Bennington Factory. Most pieces during this time were just decorated with a cobalt script number, if at all. By 1812 Luman Norton, Captain Nortons oldest son, joined the business and in 1823, Captain Norton had left the company in the hands of Luman and his brother John.

Date from the brothers era, which was short-lived as Luman was in business by himself by 1828, when he marked pieces simply, L. Julius Norton, Lumans son, would join his father in business in 1833, a fact reflected in the mark, L. Norton & Son, which was used until Luman retired in 1841, at which point Julius managed the pottery solo under Julius Norton. Four years later, in 1845, Julius Norton took a partner, his brother-in-law, Christopher Fenton, but again, the partnership of Norton & Fenton was short-lived, lasting only two years until 1847, when Fenton left and Julius again operated as Julius Norton until the end of the decade.

The 1850s ushered in a new partnership and what would be the potterys golden age. Edward Norton, a cousin, began to work with Julius in the management of the firm, now marking wares as J.

It was during this period that Norton became known for the detailed cobalt decorations. These are ones most desirable among collectors today. The firm changed structure and marks again in 1859, when Juliuss son Luman Preston Norton came on board, an era in which the pieces produced were marked J. But in 1861, Julius died and Luman Preston Norton and Edward Norton continued working as E.

Norton, in a partnership that would prove to be one of the most stable in Norton history. By 1881, Luman left the pottery and Edward Norton continued work as E. Edward Norton died two years after this in 1885, at which point his son Edward Lincoln Norton took over his portion of the business. From 1883 on, pieces were manufactured by The Edwd Norton Co. But the heart of the business, the stoneware manufacturing, declined steadily.

By the time of Edward Lincoln Nortons death in 1894, stoneware production had ceased and the Norton family dynasty had ended. THE LISTED 3 GAL CROCK: Nicely decorated with an open mouth bird sitting on a branch and marked E & L P NORTON, BENNINGTON, VT. The 3 gallon crock measures 10 3/4 high. The diameter of the top rim is 11 1/4", and the base is 10 3/4". It weighs 12.3 pounds.

CONDITION: There are some use chips on the inside rim, these can be seen in photograph # 10. The crock has no cracks.

There are the expected signs of kiln firing marks, as well as age and use. The item "1861 1881 E & L P Norton 3 Gal Cobalt Blue Bird Decorated Stoneware Crock" is in sale since Wednesday, October 24, 2018. This item is in the category "Antiques\Decorative Arts\Ceramics & Porcelain\Crocks". The seller is "rnmagain" and is located in Derry, New Hampshire. This item can be shipped to United States.

• Country/Region of Origin: United States
• Primary Material: Salt Glazed Stoneware
• Age: 1850-1899
• Original/Reproduction: Original
• Color: Blue
• Maker: E & L P Norton