Exceptional Zachary Taylor Bennington Pottery Pitcher
Circa 1848 - Height: 12¾ inches
 
A commanding and visually striking portrait pitcher depicting Zachary Taylor, prominently emblazoned with the celebrated epithet “Rough & Ready.” Executed in the rich, mottled brown glaze characteristic of Bennington pottery, this unusually large example far exceeds the typical scale of related figural pitchers, lending it exceptional presence and sculptural force.
 
Produced at the height of Taylor’s national prominence following the Mexican–American War and in conjunction with his successful presidential campaign of 1848, such objects reflect the expanding role of ceramics within American political culture. The bold modeling and emphatic inscription translate Taylor’s popular image as a plainspoken military hero into a durable and highly expressive domestic form. Examples of this scale and visual strength are notably scarce, and the present pitcher stands among the most impressive examples of mid-nineteenth-century American political pottery.
 
Condition: Excellent, with exceptional presence and preservation. Firing crack to the underside of the handle.