Exceptional Four-Gallon Stoneware Crock with Cobalt Decoration of a Standing Lion, Stamped "WHITES UTICA," New York State origin, circa 1865, cylindrical crock with tooled shoulder, semi-squared rim, and applied lug handles, decorated with outstanding slip-trailed design of a large standing lion with profusely-spotted body and heavy mane, standing atop a shrubbed hill with grasses in the foreground. The lion motif, found on some of the finest examples of New York State and New England stoneware, is revered as one of the most coveted designs from the Northeastern United States. The design on this example arguably rivals the highly-prized Norton lions of Bennington, VT, in its size and decorative quality. Significant professional restoration to surface of crock, including some touch-up to lion. A minor rim chip on reverse. A chip and minor nick on interior of rim. 2" surface line at base.