Rare Four-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Cobalt Deer Decoration, Stamped "WHITES UTICA", New York State origin, circa 1865, cylindrical jar with tooled shoulder, semi-squared rim, and applied lug handles, decorated with a slip-trailed design of a deer with turned head, striped body, and upturned tail, standing in a clearing beside a tree. Cobalt highlights to maker's mark and capacity mark. The unusual deer on this jar differs from most Whites Utica deer motif, which are often attributed to decorator, John Hilfinger, and fashioned in the Bennington style. This deer assumes a folkier appearance. Interestingly, this jar includes three pieces of adhered clay on the interior, used to stack another pot inside of it during the firing. Provenance: Purchased by the consignor over twenty years ago. Curving crack to right of deer, connecting to a series of thin spidering cracks on underside. Faint 5 1/2" inverted Y-shaped line to left side of jar's front, which does not appear to be visible on interior. Another faint 5" Y-shaped line on reverse. One handle chip. A minor stone ping to reverse. H 14 1/2".