Rare Five-Gallon Stoneware Churn with Cobalt Lion Decoration, Stamped "HUBBELL & CHESEBRO / GEDDES, NY", circa 1870, ovoid churn with tooled shoulder, flared rim, and applied lug handles, decorated with a large slip-trailed design of a lion with flowing mane, curved tail, and striped and spotted details to body, standing atop a stylized ground. Cobalt highlights to maker's mark and capacity mark. The lion motif is regarded as one of the most desirable figural designs in American stoneware. Heavy fry to cobalt. A 1" filled hole on left side of churn with a few short lines emanating from it. A large Y-shaped hairline on underside. Typical wear to inner rim where a lid would rest. A few small base chips. Two minor, very faint surface lines to shoulder.