Antique Salt-Glazed Stoneware Butter Crock with Cobalt Blue Bird Decoration

This is an authentic 19th-century American salt-glazed stoneware crock, likely a butter pot or small storage vessel. The item is characterized by a cylindrical body with a slightly flared, thickened rim and integrated ear-style handles on the sides. The exterior features a classic light gray/buff salt-glaze finish with an 'orange peel' texture. The central focal point is a hand-painted, slip-trailed cobalt blue decoration depicting a stylized bird, a common folk-art motif from the mid-to-late 1800s. The bird is rendered with whimsical swirls, feathered wings, and large circular eyes, typical of the regional stoneware produced in the Northeastern United States or the Mid-Atlantic region (possibly New York or Pennsylvania). In terms of condition, there is prominent staining and pitting on the surface, along with visible vertical hairline cracks near the rim, which are common for utility pots of this age. The interior appears to be coated with a dark brown Albany-type slip. No specific maker's mark is visible in the provided image, but the quality of the cobalt application suggests a skilled artisan. The piece shows significant signs of historical domestic use, adding a desirable patina for collectors of early American pottery.