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Antique 19th-century salt-glazed stoneware jug, impressed “F.B. NORTON & SONS / WORCESTER, MASS.” on the shoulder, with the maker’s mark showing cobalt in the lettering. The Norton pottery of Worcester is a well-collected New England stoneware name. Classic ovoid form, applied strap handle, narrow neck, warm tan-to-grey salt glaze with the characteristic orange-peel texture. Plain, undecorated. A great primitive / farmhouse piece for a mantel, shelf, or dried-floral vase.
This is the mark of Franklin Norton's two eldest sons, Myron and John, who operated the pottery in Worcester using this stamp from 1886-1894 ("The F. B. Norton Pottery: Stoneware of Every Description." Worcester Historical Museum, 1980-1981)
Approximately 11” tall x 7” at the widest, jug mouth opening about 1”, about 1 gallon (no capacity number is marked).
Condition: Expected age and use wear. Small chip/nick at the rim (see photos). Bare-clay glaze skips or patches and minor flaking at the base edge from kiln stacking and use. Iron specks and small glaze pops on the body, as made. Light staining in the glaze. No cracks or hairlines seen; please review all photos carefully as part of the description.
Ships double-boxed with generous padding. Smoke-free home.
Keywords / item specifics: antique stoneware, salt glaze, F.B. Norton, Norton & Sons, Norton pottery, Worcester Mass, Massachusetts pottery, 19th century, jug, beehive jug, strap handle, primitive, farmhouse, country decor, New England pottery, American stoneware, collectible, crock, rustic, cobalt stamp, impressed mark.
