VIRGINIA MERCHANT'S STENCILED STONEWARE OVERSIZED WATER COOLER, salt-glazed, designated twenty-gallon capacity, semi-ovoid form with flat-top rounded rim, beaded neck ring, applied arched handles, square-form bung hole, Albany-slip glazed interior. Stenciled cobalt "E.J. MILLER, SON & CO / IMPORTERS & WHOLESALE / DEALERS IN / QUEENSWARE, / CHINA, GLASSWARE AND / HOUSE FURNISHING / GOODS / NO. 65 KING ST. / ALEXANDRIA, VA.", additional stenciled ornaments including a spread-wing eagle grasping a ribbon in beak above. Brushed cobalt "20" below stencil, further decorations including stripes and wavy lines, and additional cobalt to handle terminals. Together with a period wooden and pewter spigot. Two pieces total. James Hamilton, Greensboro, PA for Elisha Janney Miller (1827-1895), Alexandria, VA. Circa 1882. 25 3/8" H, 15" D rim.
Catalogue Note: Elisha Janney Miller was born into an Alexandria, VA merchant family. His grandfather, Mordecai Miller, and father, Robert Hartshorne Miller (1798-1874) were each prosperous importers and wholesalers. Elisha began working with his father in 1856 at his No. 65 King Street establishment and nine years later, he inherited the business after his father's retirement. At this time, Elisha entered into a business partnership with the Milburn family pottery on Wilkes Street. The pottery provided the merchant with assorted stoneware forms including jars, cuspidors/spittoons, jugs, milk pans, and cake crocks until its closing in 1876. Following the closure of the Alexandria pottery, Miller began procuring stoneware from James Hamilton in Greensboro, PA. Vessels featured his business name, address, and sometimes additional advertising information in stenciled cobalt. Elisha J. Miller managed the business until 1895, when he passed away from Bright's disease at the age of 67. The mercantile company continued in the Miller family until sometime before 1917.

Collection of the late Al and Billy Steidel, Alexandria, VA.

Excellent visual condition, having professional restoration to front and proper left side.