Three-Gallon Stoneware Crock with Elaborate Cobalt Floral Decoration, Stamped "J. & E. NORTON / BENNINGTON, VT.", circa 1855, cylindrical crock with semi-rounded rim and applied lug handles, decorated with a slip-trailed design of a flowering plant with three heavily-detailed blossoms and scrolled stems. Cobalt highlights to maker's mark and capacity mark. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, from a long-term private collection. A 3 1/2" crack from rim on front. A 6" crack from rim on reverse, including a small chip on interior shoulder along crack. Some staining to surface. A chip to interior of rim. Two minor chips to one handle and two tiny nicks to opposite handle. A 1 1/2" iron ping under one handle. Tight lines on underside, continuing a short distance onto base.