Bidspirit auction | Stamped ”Bulkley, Fiske & Co.”

Stamped ”Bulkley, Fiske & Co.” (New York) Figural Yellowware Toby Flask / Bottle - Stamped ”Bulkley, Fiske & Co.” (New York) Figural Yellowware Toby Flask / Bottle Thick lead glaze over buff-colored yellowware, molded oval-shaped body in the form of a well-dressed young gentleman holding a bottle and drinking glass. Stamped ”BULKLEY FISKE & CO. / NEW YORK.” above base at front. Circa 1860. Dimensions: 8 1/4” H, 3 5/8” x 2” base. Condition: Severely cracked around the whole lower section of body, with a hole at rear; also has some base chipping. Provenance: The Stradling Study Collection. Purchased from Robert A. Ellison, Jr. (New York), 01/31/2007. Catalogue Note: These flasks (and an impressive variety of other molded flasks and bottles, some in Rockingham and flint enamel glazes marked ?B.F. & CO.?) were made for the New York City grocery merchant firm Bulkley, Fiske & Co., who operated between 1858 and 1862. Despite the wide variety of marked products, and the narrow window in which they were produced, it is not known for certain where the flasks were made, although theories abound (McAllister 2000, p. 64). As far back as 1974, in their cataloguing of the Jacqueline D. Hodgson collection sale (where one ”B.F. & Co.” example sold as lot 11 and another in lot 12), the Stradlings noted bluntly: ”it is controversial where these flasks were made” (Stradling 1974, lot 11). It seems certain when examining the group as a whole that the maker is American; but no evidence has come to light enabling researchers to get any more specific than that. Auctioneer's Note: We are thrilled to bring the Stradling Study Collection to market in partnership with Connor Rush of SFR Antiques, whose help and scholarship enabled the completion of this session's catalogue. A bibliography for the sale can be found here: ( https://bit.ly/3RYodeh ). For questions about lots 1 through 111 in this sale, or for help accessing the bibliography, please reach out to connor@nyeandcompany.com. Condition: Condition reports are not provided in catalog descriptions. The absence of a condition report does not guarantee that the lot is in good condition or free from damage and wear. We encourage you to request a condition report and/or additional photos prior to bidding on any lot. We also recommend asking for a shipping quote before bidding. CASH, CASHIER CHECK, MONEY ORDER, AND WIRE TRANSFER ARE THE ONLY METHODS OF PAYMENT ACCEPTED FOR JEWELRY.