GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC (G.A.R.) Civil War Veteran CERAMIC CANTEEN Circa Late 1800s

Large antique Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) CERAMIC PRESENTATION CANTEEN DECANTER, circa late 1800s.  The G.A.R. was a fraternity organization whose members had served as Union soldiers during the Civil War. 

The white ceramic PRESENTATION DECANTER is shaped like a canteen and decorated with hand painted gilt accents and lettering.  Embossed and hand painted in the center of the canteen is the famous G.A.R. membership medal, featuring a gold gilt eagle grasping a sword with crossed cannons perched above a red, white and blue American flag.  Below the flag is a large gold gilt star. Above the medal is the G.A.R. motto in script, "We have drank from the same canteen."

The decanter is meant to be hung and is about 8” in diameter without the neck.  Including the neck it is 9 ½” high and 10 ½” high with the metal stopper. The sling guides are painted gold and the stopper is original to the piece. It is in very good condition other than some crazing, discoloration and worn gold gilt, all expected considering the age.  There is also a ½” wide chip on the back—just below the rim.  The piece is not dated but most likely is from the late 1800s.

A signature will be required upon delivery.

About the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.): G.A.R. was founded in Springfield, Illinois in 1866 to support Union soldiers returning home from the Civil War. It held national and state "encampments" for 83 years and had over 490,000 members at its peak in 1890. The G.A.R. worked for pensions and helped establish Memorial Day.