{Please Read The Following Important Information}. Since I had very first listed this great piece of antique stoneware I have received 3 comments from people who are apparently not reading my detailed description " thoroughly ". I clearly state in my description that the " No Harm / Hairline " cracks {Do Not Go All The Way Through}.
Please be respectful and do not contact me with any comments or questions before you read the description " Thoroughly ". To have to post this statement right at the very top, but I had no choice due to what 3 individuals have contacted me with regarding their unsubstantiated inaccurate comments. To " Everybody " else who has been " Very Polite & Respectful " I Thank You for understanding. ANTIQUE WHITES UTICA NEW YORK STONEWARE POLAR BEAR WATER COOLER CROCK POTTERY.
This is a really great example of an antique stoneware water cooler made by " Whites Pottery of Utica New York " around 1880's to early 1900's. This is the very famous and desired " Polar Bear " molded water cooler with the reverse side having the cluster of " Flowers ". As all collectors of Whites Pottery know the Polar Bear water cooler when surfaces for sell 95% of the time it does not have the original lid and the main body usually has multiple chips, scratches, cracks and abrasions. This one has none of those flaws expect it does " not " have the lid or the water spigot / spout.
This is the medium 5 gallon size cooler depicting the embossed / molded famous Polar Bear & Flower design with a semi raise textured finish over all the entire body. It also depicts the blustery face of " Aeolus : God of Wind " where the spout would be attached. ITEM CONDITION : This piece of very early stoneware is in " Exceptional Condition " and worthy of any collection for the serious collector of Whites Pottery. It has great detail which collectors refer to as molded or embossed, very nice raised relief accentuated with hand painted cobalt blue paint.
It is very clear salt glazed finish which is very glossy with no abrasions, but there is one thing worth mentioning. On the bottom inside the crock you will see a small black line that looks like a crack, I don't believe it is a crack. It looks more like where the clay was over laid during manufacturing, " this is only my opinion ".
In the posted close up picture you can see this mark I mention, it sort of looks like a smile. Also when I scrape my finger nail across the smile shape line my nail does very slightly stick, only very slightly. Also directly above the smile shaped line there is a very faint line about 2 inches in length to which is very smooth. Then on the outside on the bottom edge is another line that looks like a crack that runs about 4 inches inward and also has a spur line that runs to the edge about 2 inches in length {Please View Pictures}, but it too does not seem to effect the over all integrity of the piece - {Because} - when I hold this piece with one finger under the interior rim edge and knock on it with my knuckle it {Does Make A Very Nice Solid Tone Ring} broken pottery makes a dull thud sound, this does not. This piece measures 15 inches tall, 9 1/2 inches across from outer edge to outer edge, 8 inches on the inside edge to edge, and the raised / molded relief varies from 1/8th to 1/4th of an inch. I really don't know what else I can say about this piece except that it is " Very Attractive " and in exceptional condition.I will only send additional pictures to {Serious Interested Buyers}, please don't waste my time requesting them just to look for enjoyment. Also another very important note worth mentioning - - - If this piece does sell you will have to be very patient regarding the time frame to have it delivered to your house. I usually under charge for some items, but if I over charge you {Will Be Reimbursed}. Posted at the {Very Bottom} of this page is the brief history of Whites Pottery.
REGARDING PICTURES : When viewing the posted pictures they may seem a little grainy or fuzzy & over or under exposed. I Only Sell within the lower 48 United States. {Must Be Registered In The United States}... Thank you for cooperation and understanding.
Worth mentioning {Please view all of the pictures carefully and thoroughly because the pictures are 90% of the condition description}. I try to give the best accurate written description as possible after viewing each item I list.
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS : I do welcome any questions or comments regarding my listings & I do respond to all " Politely " structured questions. However please keep in mind that I " Do Not " keep my computer on all day as many people do. Questions are usually responded too within 1 to 24 hours, so Please Have Patience. Thank you for your understanding and for viewing my listing.
I believe this to be very fair for the both of us. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR INTEREST.
Noah White began making pottery for several local firms in Utica, New York, circa 1834, In 1839 he bought out one of these companies, the Addington Pottery, and began making stoneware with the mark N. WHITE with the help of his son Nicholas A. Another son, William, joined the pottery in 1843; both were made partners in 1849 when the firm became N. In spite of the rapid changes in company ownership or perhaps because of it the marks WHITE UTICA OR WHITES UTICA were used from the 1850s to the 1870s. In 1863 Noahs grandson William N.
White joined the pottery and name changed to Noah White, Son and Company. Two years later Noah died and Nicholas assumed control of the works, changing the name to N. This name was modified slightly in 1867 to N. WHITE AND SON when his son became a partner. From 1876 to 1882 the firms mark became WHITES, UTICA, N. In 1882 Nicholass younger son Charles N.White joined the pottery and the mark became N. WHITE AND SON, UTICA, N. The company used the name CENTRAL NEW YORK POTTERY from 1890 to 1899, and then WHITES POTTERY INC. Until the pottery stopped making stoneware in 1907.
The item "ANTIQUE WHITES UTICA NEW YORK STONEWARE POLAR BEAR WATER COOLER CROCK POTTERY" is in sale since Tuesday, July 9, 2019. This item is in the category "Antiques\Decorative Arts\Ceramics & Porcelain\Crocks". The seller is "daveindetroit" and is located in Detroit, Michigan. This item can't be shipped, the buyer must pick up the item.