Jacob H. Stouffer was born in Adeline, Illinois. He opened his decorating studio in Chicago in 1905 which continued until 1952. The high period of Stouffer hand painted china appears to have spanned the years from 1905 to 1925. During this time the company employed some of the best decorators of that era.

This gorgeous hand painted compote on low standard, circa 1905, is decorated with a variation of the 'Deserted Garden' pattern originally executed by the Pickard Studio and copied by the Osborne Studio. The interior bowl of the compote is decorated with a wide band of fruit, including a purple plum, several red raspberries, a pear, several peaches or apples and a bunch of grapes. The fruit is separated by individual white blossoms with pastel yellow centers. The background is muted shades of primarily yellows and greens. The center of the compote, arched handles and wide band around the base is gold gilt. The piece is signed with the initials 'F.D.' which I can find no record of as an artist for the Stouffer Studio. There is record of a Finley Drummond who became president of the company and 1915 and reportedly worked for Stouffer prior to that date in various capacities. The compote measures 6 7/8" across the center, 8 1/4" across the handles and 2 3/4" in height. It is stamped in black with Mark #3 "Stouffer Hand Decorated", the mark used from 1905-1907. Also stamped in blue "Noritake Japan". There are no cracks, chips or repairs; near mint condition. The decorating is stunning.