Bayless McCarthy and Company Merchant Jar

Circa 1880s: Kentucky stoneware merchant jars are always in high demand, and this exuberantly decorated two gallon storage jar was produced for 19th century merchant Bayless McCarthy & Co., who had stores in both Louisville and Maysville. Most likely made by T.F. Reppert or Williams and Reppert in Greensboro, Pennsylvania, this scarce 11.5" tall jar is decorated the full length of the field with a several interesting stenciled motifs between top and bottom freehand stripes and has survived in superb essentially as made condition with tow minor rim nicks and no other chips, cracks, or repairs. This is a fine collector quality example of Southwestern Pennsylvania stoneware manufactured for the Kentucky market and would have been shipped via riverboat on the period's foremost regional trade route between Greensboro and Louisville.