Here we have an extremely rare, one
of a kind, piece of presentation pottery in the form of a top hat. The hat is made of predominately red ware
clay with yellow ware clay mixed together in what is known as agateware. The agate decoration goes through the clay
and is not just on the surface. The
front of the hat is dated 1859 with the initials “J A” on the back. The underside of the brim is decorated with a
looped band and a wavy band. The date,
initials and brim decorations were hand applied using a squeeze bag filled with
slip, much in the same way bakers decorate cakes. The hat measures 4” in height by 6 ½” wide
across the brim. You can see 3 stilt marks
and a spot where the glaze pooled during firing on the bottom of the hat. This is in near mint condition with only a
darkened chip and a hairline on the brim no other damage or repairs. This pottery form is extremely rare and these
were likely produced by only one potter.