Ottman Bros & Co. 4-Gallon Bird Stoneware Crock

A late 19th-century American salt-glazed stoneware crock produced by the Ottman Bros & Co. in Fort Edward, New York. This cylindrical vessel features a capacity of approximately 4 gallons, as indicated by the incised numeral '4' located above the central decoration. This piece is crafted from durable, heavy-bodied clay with a traditional salt-glaze finish, typical of the regional potting traditions in the Hudson River Valley area. The front is decorated with a slip-trailed cobalt blue depiction of a large, stylized bird perched on a branch, a highly desirable folk art motif among collectors. Above the bird, the maker's mark 'OTTMAN BROS & CO. FORT EDWARD, N.Y.' is clearly impressed into the clay, though the stamp shows some slight blurring in the blue wash. Physically, the crock exhibits a creamy tan or 'putty' colored exterior with a smooth, slightly pitted orange-peel texture characteristic of salt firing. Notable condition issues include a small visible chip or kiln scar on the lower portion of the bird's body, and some surface discoloration or kiln-drip marks near the base. The piece reflects the peak period of American pottery craftsmanship from roughly 1870 to 1890, showing good symmetry and bold cobalt pigmentation.