An antique American salt-glazed stoneware advertising jug. The vessel features a cylindrical body with sloping shoulders, a short flared neck, and a hand-applied strap handle. The exterior surface displays a characteristic salt-glazed finish, resulting in a light tan color and a pitted orange peel texture. Centered on the front of the body is a four-line cobalt blue stenciled merchant mark identifying A. S. Nowlin Wholesale Depot of Lynchburg, Virginia. Aubrey S. Nowlin was a wholesale grocer in Lynchburg during the late 19th century. The stencil appears heavily smeared and blurred, a common occurrence during the firing process of such utilitarian wares. The jug has a flat base and was manufactured as a functional container for liquids such as liquor or vinegar.