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 June, 2016 | 27 Items | August, 2016  |
| EXCEEDINGLY RARE AND IMPORTANT STONEWARE FLOWERPOT, with Profuse Incised and Cobalt-Highlighted Bird and Floral Decoration, attributed to William Morgan, Baltimore, MD, circa 1820-1825, tapered flowerpot with squared rim, lavishly-decorated with an incised and cobalt-highlighted design of birds perched on the stems of a flowering plant. The decoration features crisp incising throughout, including hollowed eyes and upswept tails to birds, large scallop-edged leaves, daisies, splayed flowers with frayed tips, and hanging cluster-shaped blossoms. This design, which extends around both sides of the flowerpot to the reverse, is delicately-filled with brushed cobalt slip. Remarkably, the flowerpot includes its original saucer, which features a tooled rim and cobalt-decorated surface. This astounding recent discovery is closely-related to two other Morgan bird-decorated pieces: the first, a cooler bearing the signature, "Morgan Maker / Balt.", the second a pitcher in the collection of the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, previously owned by museum founder, Frank Horton. Interestingly, the few known incised Morgan stoneware objects parallel the work of the New-York-trained potters, Henry Remmey and Henry Harrison Remmey, who were active in Baltimore, circa 1812-1829. The flowerpot offered in our July auction shares similarities with a damaged and reconstructed example, which was made by one of the Remmeys and recovered from a Baltimore privy in the early 2000s. See Zipp, "Henry Remmey & Son, Late of New York: A Rediscovery of a Master Potter's Lost Years," Ceramics in America 2004, fig. 17-18). Despite the Remmeys notoriety for incised decoration in Manhattan, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, it appears that William Morgan's work may have actually advanced this decorative treatment even further. Indeed, incised ornamentation of this profusion and decorative quality is known only among a few other outstanding pieces of American stoneware. Based on comparisons of this object with other 19th century American examples of the form, both in stoneware and redware, it could easily be argued that this work is the finest American ceramic flowerpot known. Its surviving condition, even including its original saucer, is exemplary, a testament to the care it received during use nearly two-hundred years ago. Provenance: Recently discovered in Maryland. Condition: Flowerpot in remarkable, excellent condition with a shallow .875" rim chip and minor nick to rim. The saucer survives in excellent condition with only a small chip to base. H (of flowerpot, excluding saucer) 7.375" ; H (of flowerpot, including saucer) 7.875". Diameter (of flowerpot at opening) 7.5"; Diameter (of saucer) 7.25". Sold at Crocker Farm July 16, 2016 Price Realized: $63,250 | |
| | IMPORTANT AND UNIQUE THREE-GALLON STONEWARE PITCHER, with Profuse Incised Bird-on-Branch Motifs and Applied and Impressed Decoration, Stamped "E.H. Wood" and Dated "1840", Ezekiel H. Wood, Maysville, Kentucky, 1840, large-sized pitcher with stepped base, heavily-tooled collar, and ribbed strap handle with upturned terminal, the surface profusely-decorated throughout with the following treatments: incised bird-in-tree motifs, accented with impressed rosettes and flanking the brushed cobalt date "1840"; the large name, "E.H. Wood", composed of various decorative impressions, flanking molded and applied geometric and floral devices; incised leaves to the midsection; and heavy impressed decoration to the body, collar, and handle, created from at least twelve different tools, each individually stamped in a painstaking, almost obsessive fashion. Heavy cobalt highlights are brushed throughout the impressed, incised, and applied designs in a precise manner. Additional cobalt brushwork appears in the form of S-shaped strokes at the midsection, a V-shaped highlight on the interior of the spout, and a squared accent at the base of the handle. Four different techniques- incising, impressing, sprigging, and slip-decorating- give life to this masterwork, creating an object of overwhelming visual appeal. These lavish decorative treatments abound on what is perhaps the most-elegantly-potted stoneware pitcher we have seen, potted with a delicate, thin-walled construction and in an imposing three-gallon capacity. The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts artisan database notes that Ezekiel Wood and his brother, John, manufactured stoneware together in Maysville, Kentucky during the 1845 time period. A relatively small number of undecorated or modestly-decorated stoneware pieces bear the maker's mark, "J & E. WOOD." One of the finest surviving works from this firm is a jar bearing the stenciled cobalt inscription, "MAYSVILLE, KY / 1845", which currently resides in the MESDA collection. Born December 12, 1818 in Brown County, Ohio, Ezekiel Wood moved to Mason County, Kentucky when still a young boy. Ezekiel and his brother, John, are shown living together in Maysville in the 1850 federal census, which also lists their occupations as farmers. Living adjacent to their home was a potter named Alfred Moss, indicating they were operating a pottery manufactory at that time. History of Howard and Cooper Counties, Missouri, writing about E.H. Wood in 1883, states, "Mr. W. is an industrious, successful farmer, and is well-to-do in life. Farming, however, is not the only industry he has followed. He was engaged in 'flat-boating' to and from New Orleans for some time in an early day, and later he was a manufacturer of stoneware for about six years." Indeed, many early American potters were primarily farmers who produced stoneware or earthenware to supplement their incomes. While it is possible that this pitcher was made for Ezekiel Wood at a pottery he owned or was associated with, it seems to be the case that Wood himself threw and decorated this work. Its craftsmanship is at such a high level and its decoration so extremely elaborate that it appears to have been Wood's masterpiece--the object he made coming out of his stoneware potter's apprenticeship to prove his skill. This fits perfectly with Wood's age at the time; having been born at the end of 1818, he would have been twenty-one for almost the entirety of the year 1840-- twenty-one being the standard age of release from an indentured apprenticeship. This object, potted in large proportions with oversized signature, would have been easily visible to passersby in the window of Wood's shop, at a local fair, or any other place of business. The amount of time taken to create this work, its unwieldy use as an actual pitcher, and the immaculate condition in which it survives, all corroborate the notion that it was made as a display piece to advertise Wood's pottery. Of interesting note is the fact that Wood was part of an extended family of Maysville stoneware potters, namely Rulef Ricketts, Hugh Cooper, Isaac Thomas, Evan Ricketts, and Joseph Claghorn Mendell. In 1853, he married Mary Ellen Power, a relative, most likely the sister, of prominent Maysville merchant and stoneware seller, Hugh Power. Wood would eventually move to Missouri in the mid 1860's and remained there until his death in 1900. This tour-de-force of ceramic art is regarded as the second most profusely-decorated American stoneware pitcher known, the first being the iconic Harrington & Burger pitcher with hound handle, which currently resides in the New York State Museum's Weitsman Stoneware Collection. Among the numerous American stoneware pitchers still in existence today, this pitcher ranks among the finest examples of the form known. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, purchased by the consignor approximately twenty-five years ago. This pitcher, despite its delicate potting, survives in excellent, essentially as-made condition. H 15.5". Sold at Crocker Farm July 16, 2016 Price Realized: $143,750 |
| | MINIATURE STONEWARE PRESENTATION PITCHER, with Elaborate Cobalt Foliate Decoration, Stamped "HARRY REMMY / PRES BY, C.F.D TENN.", Charles F. Decker, Sr., Keystone Pottery, Chucky Valley, Tennessee, circa 1875, ovoid pitcher with footed base, tooled shoulder, and flared collar, featuring the impressed and cobalt-highlighted presentation inscription, "HARRY REMMY / PRES BY, C.F.D TENN.". Underside additionally impressed "TENN". Surface decorated throughout with finely-brushed cobalt-slip leaves, including three emanating from a central stem on the left side. Spout decorated with delicate cobalt stripes. Handle decorated with thick cobalt stripes, along with heavy highlights to the handle terminals. This outstanding recent discovery ranks as one the most significant finds in Tennessee stoneware of the past several years. Few pieces of American stoneware we have seen show a clear link between master potters and the shops in which they began their careers. This pitcher was made by Charles Decker as a gift for Henry Harrison Remmey, Jr. (1842-1909), known as Harry, a member of the illustrious Remmey family of potters, by whom Decker was previously employed. Harry Remmey was the son of the venerable, New-York-trained potter, Henry Harrison Remmey (1794-1878), who was also active in Baltimore, and ultimately established a long-standing operation in Philadelphia in 1827, where Decker worked upon his arrival in America from Germany. It is presumed that Decker, who was ten years older than Harry Remmey, worked alongside the young craftsman at the family pottery and established a friendship with him there. For a period, Decker opened his own operation in Philadelphia, known as The Keystone Pottery, only to seek out a new frontier in the South. This piece tells the story of many 19th century artisans, who worked for years in Northern and Mid-Atlantic states, and eventually traveled to the South or West through the Great Wagon Road (which actually began at the port of Philadelphia). Boldly-stamped twice with the abbreviation, "TENN", on the body and underside, this pitcher relates to the Remmey family that Decker had found suitable stoneware clay in Tennessee and had already established a shop. The light color of the clay, fineness of potting, and marked difference of the decoration from the Decker family's typical tulip motif of the 1880-1900 time period, all suggest this piece may be an early work, made shortly after Decker had commenced operation at his Tennessee pottery in 1872. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, purchased in the mid 1980s outside of Philadelphia. Condition: Excellent condition with a faint 1.5" surface line to shoulder, not visible on interior, and presumably in-the-firing. H 4". Sold at Crocker Farm July 16, 2016 Price Realized: $12,650 |
| EXTREMELY RARE AND IMPORTANT FOUR-GALLON ALKALINE-GLAZED STONEWARE JAR, Inscribed "Dave / Jan 13 - 1862 / Lm", Dave at Lewis Miles' Stoney Bluff Manufactory, Edgefield District, SC, 1862, rotund jar with rounded rim and crescent-shaped handles, the surface covered in a streaky, light-olive alkaline glaze. A two-tone effect with heavy runs, most clearly visible on the reverse, indicate this jar was glazed twice, either by dipping the upper portion of the jar in the glaze again or pouring extra glaze around the shoulder. The front of jar is deeply-incised with the large vertical inscription, "Dave / Jan 13 - 1862 / Lm". The vertical signature, found on other primarily late-period Dave pieces, reveals the potter most-likely inscribed the jar while holding it on its side. An incised "X", a distinctive marking used by Dave on a number of his pots, appears to the right of the inscription. This jar is significant on a number of levels. Its light-colored glaze is exceptional, particularly for a time period when much of Dave's work utilized a darker alkaline coating. The jar was also produced during the Civil War, a critical time for America as a nation and an enslaved man as an individual. According to Goldberg and Witkowski's article in Ceramics in America 2006, "Beneath his Magic Touch: The Dated Vessels of the African-American Slave Potter Dave", only one other Dave vessel is known bearing an 1862 date. The exact reason for this paucity of dated 1862 pieces is unknown, although one can speculate it may have been born out of hostilities relational to the Civil War. Furthermore, the jar's late date, indicating it was made only two years before Dave's last known dated work, serves to document to the potter's final years of producing vessels as an enslaved man. Its bold incising follows a general rule noted in Goldberg and Witkowski, that Dave's signatures generally became larger as years progressed. This jar features one of the most prominent inscriptions we have observed on a Dave vessel. Not only are the characters large, the incising is exceptionally deep and crisp. The date on this jar, in comparison to the piece itself, is possibly the largest known in Dave's work, measuring 9.25" of the jar's 14" height. Dave is regarded as one of America's most celebrated African-American artisans and his notoriety outside of ceramic and American historical circles is expanding. A testament to this growing recognition is evidenced by his induction into the South Carolina Hall of Fame on April 27th of this year. When considering the quality of the glaze, size of the inscription, and rarity of the date, this jar can easily be regarded as one of the most significant discoveries in Dave stoneware of the past several years. Provenance: A previously-undocumented example, purchased by the consignor in the Mid-Atlantic region over ten years ago. Condition: Excellent condition with typical minor base nicks and typical wear to top of rim. H 14". Sold at Crocker Farm July 16, 2016 Price Realized: $40,250 | |
| EXCEEDINGLY RARE AND IMPORTANT POLYCHROME-GLAZED REDWARE TURTLE BOTTLE, Winston-Salem, NC origin, circa 1800-1850, press-molded bottle in the form of a turtle with protruding head creating the vessel's spout, the underside with hand-incised details to feet and tail. Surface coated in a whitish slip, decorated with sponged copper and manganese, and covered in a clear lead glaze: a fitting "tortoiseshell" pattern modelled after wares made by English potter, Thomas Whieldon (1719-1795). Johanna Brown's Ceramics in America 2009 article, "Moravian Press-Molded Earthenware", notes that two different types of turtle bottles, sometimes recorded in Salem pottery inventories as "terrapins", were produced (Brown, p. 115). As stated by Brown in her Ceramics in America 2010 article, "A Recently Discovered Moravian Turtle Bottle", the mold for this particular type, with its distinctive shell, was produced from an Eastern box turtle. The turtle bottle form remains one the most coveted and elusive of all Moravian figural objects. Very few have survived and this recently-discovered example is the first of its type to come to auction in many years. Literature: See Brown, "Moravian Press-Molded Earthenware", Ceramics in America 2009, pp. 114-115 for a related turtle bottle and mold; See also Bivens, The Moravian Potters of North Carolina, pp. 212-213, for additional photos. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, found by the consignor over twenty years ago. Condition: Structurally excellent condition with no cracks or chips. Small flakes to top of shell. Flakes to underside, most prominently to the neck area. Expected wear to mouth, feet, and tail. L 7". Sold at Crocker Farm July 16, 2016 Price Realized: $8,912.50 | |
| EXTREMELY RARE AND IMPORTANT FOUR-GALLON STONEWARE WATER COOLER, with Elaborate Cobalt Floral Decoration, Stamped "JOHN BURGER / ROCHESTER.", New York State origin, circa 1860, ovoid cooler with flared rim, applied lug handles, and circular bunghole, decorated with an artistic slip-trailed design of a flowering plant bearing two different blossoms. The well-detailed blossom to the left, one of Burger's more elaborate floral motifs, features alternating shaded and hollow-centered petals surrounding a conical interior with dotted stamen; the flower to the right lacks the conical center, but features a similar alternating pattern to the petals and a dotted stamen at the center. In the case of this design, and other finer examples of Burger's work, a sense of perspective is created by having a larger, vertical blossom on the left that projects upward and outward to the viewer while overlapping the central stem, and a second, smaller blossom, which points off toward to the right, at a distance. Moreso than any other American stoneware decorator, Burger added depth and a three-dimensional tangibility to his floral designs. The bunghole of this cooler features elaborate slip-trailing in the form of a circular band surrounding a wavy stripe and a series of spots along the front edge. The shoulder includes the slip-trailed number "4." with unusual crossed horizontal bar. This cooler is one of a very few examples of this form known by John Burger. The rarity of the form is complemented nicely by exceptional color and an elegantly-rendered decoration. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, purchased by the consignor decades ago. Condition: A .75" chip to bung hole and a shallow glazed-over iron ping to bung hole. A faint spider line to right side of cooler, not visible on interior. A small chip to left handle. Some spots of staining. H 13.75". Sold at Crocker Farm July 16, 2016 Price Realized: $16,100 | |
| EXCEEDINGLY RARE AND IMPORTANT FOUR-GALLON STONEWARE WATER COOLER, with Elaborate Cobalt Floral Decoration, Stamped "F. STETZENMEYER & / G. GOETZMAN / ROCHESTER. NY", circa 1853-1860, ovoid cooler with tall collar, applied lug handles, and circular bunghole, decorated with a large slip-trailed design of a flowering plant bearing two different blossoms and three buds, including heavy shaded details throughout. Slip-trailed stripe decoration to bunghole. Slip-trailed "4." to shoulder. Brushed cobalt highlights to maker's mark. Frederick Stetzenmeyer pottery is considered some of the most artistic and coveted of all American cobalt-decorated stoneware. Jugs and jars with more-simplistic floral motifs are considered prized examples of New York State stoneware, even among seasoned collectors. This recently-discovered piece stands out among Stetzenmeyer's surviving work as possibly the only extant water cooler bearing his maker's mark. This example was produced during the 1853 to 1860 time period while Stetzenmeyer was in partnership with a local grocer named Gottlieb Goetzman. Exhibiting an elegant form with heavily-decorated bunghole, this cooler features a particularly fine slip-trailed floral motif in the Rochester style. Interestingly, aspects of the slip-trailing suggest the design may have been executed by the venerable master potter, John Burger, Sr. One of the finest examples of Stetzenmeyer stoneware to surface in the last decade. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, consigned from the Midwestern U.S. Condition: Exceptional professional restoration to cracks in reverse, a rim chip on left side of cooler's front, and a short line on front to right of maker's mark. H 15.5". Sold at Crocker Farm July 16, 2016 Price Realized: $16,100 | |
| IMPORTANT AND POSSIBLY UNIQUE ONE-GALLON STONEWARE JUG, with Cobalt Lion's Bust Decoration, Stamped "JORDAN", attributed to Justen McBurney, New York State origin, circa 1855-1860, cylindrical jug with tooled shoulder and pronounced spout, decorated with boldly-slip-trailed design of a lion's head with flowing mane, bared teeth, and protruding tongue. A slip-trailed looping flourish underscores the design. Cobalt highlights to maker's mark and capacity mark. This outstanding jug ranks as arguably the finest-decorated example of Jordan stoneware known. Signed McBurney family products, bearing the mark "JORDAN", are difficult-to-find in their own right, and are rarely found with figural decoration of any sort. Designs of this quality are virtually unheard of from this site. In addition to its visually-stunning design, the jug features exceptional color and an appealing one-gallon size. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, previously purchased at a Denlinger auction in the late 1980s. Condition: Professionally restored handle. A 1.5" chip to bottom edge. H 12.75". Sold at Crocker Farm July 16, 2016 Price Realized: $24,150 | |
| EXCEEDINGLY RARE TWO-GALLON STONEWARE JUG, with Cobalt Seated Lion Decoration, Stamped "J. & E. NORTON / BENNINGTON, VT.", circa 1855, cylindrical jug with semi-squared spout, decorated with an elaborate slip-trailed scene of a lion with heavy mane and tufted tail, seated atop a stylized ground accented with shrubs, flanked by a two fences and a tree. The animal's highly unusual seated stance, rarely found on Norton products, may have been chosen to convey a "Peaceable Kingdom" scene of sorts. The Peaceable Kingdom paintings of noted American folk artist, Edward Hicks (1780-1849), which featured harmonious scenes of children with a variety of wild and domestic animals, occasionally depicted seated lions beneath a plumed tree, as seen on this jug. The distinctive style in which the lion on this jug is rendered indicates it was executed by documented stoneware decorator, John Hilfinger (1826-1888), an itinerant artist born in Wurttemberg, Germany, who was active in Bennington from 1855 to 1864. The lion remains the most coveted regularly-produced design on Norton stoneware, and few quality pieces bearing this motif have been offered publicly over the last decade or more. Condition: A 2.75" salt drip to right side of jug. A 1.375" salt drip to front of jug. A 1" chip to left side of spout. A 3" semi-circular crack at base on reverse with associated chips, primarily visible on underside. Other minor flaws, including a tiny chip and .5" U-shaped line at base of handle, a faint 1.5" horizontal line on right side of jug below spout molding, a few base chips, and two tiny nicks on interior of spout. H 14.5". Sold at Crocker Farm July 16, 2016 Price Realized: $21,275 | |
| OUTSTANDING FOUR-GALLON STONEWARE JUG, with Cobalt Standing Deer Decoration, Stamped "J. & E. NORTON / BENNINGTON, VT", circa 1885, cylindrical jug with semi-rounded spout, decorated with an artistic slip-trailed design of a large deer with turned head and spotted body, standing atop a hilly pasture featuring shrubs, a split-rail fence, and tree stump. Cobalt highlights to maker's mark and capacity mark. The distinctive style of the design indicates it was executed by documented stoneware decorator, John Hilfinger (1826-1888), an itinerant artist born in Wurttemberg, Germany, who was active in Bennington from 1855 to 1864. This significant recent discovery in Norton stoneware features a scarce and impressive four-gallon size and survives in exemplary condition. Provenance: Recently found in the Southeastern U.S. Condition: Excellent condition with a minor nick to base on reverse, a small iron ping to right side of front, and some typical light staining from use. H 18". Sold at Crocker Farm July 16, 2016 Price Realized: $12,650 | |
| | EXCEPTIONAL AND IMPORTANT OPEN-HANDLED REDWARE JAR, with Profuse Three-Color Slip Floral Decoration, Dated Twice 1810, Bucks County, PA origin, 1810, ovoid jar with footed base, squared rim, and ribbed strap handles, lavishly-decorated in yellow, green, and brown slip on the front and reverse with two flowering plants bearing three differently-styled blossoms. Handles decorated with brown-slip foliate designs. Inscribed with the early slip-trailed date "1810" in green slip under one handle, and the date "1810" in yellow slip under opposite handle. An elegantly-potted example brimming with Pennsylvania-German tulips and daisies, this consignment is arguably one of the most extravagant American slip-decorated redware jars known. A study of the extensive Pennsylvania redware collections at Winterthur and the Philadelphia Museum of Art can find few jars with slipwork comparable in abundance and artistry. One of the most important examples of Pennsylvania redware to come to auction in recent years. Glazed body of jar survives in remarkable, essentially as-made condition with minimal wear. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, purchased by the consignor in the early 1990s. H 5.875". Condition: Shallow chipping along one edge of each handle. An additional handle chip and other very minor wear to handles. Wear to rim. Sold at Crocker Farm July 16, 2016 Price Realized: $57,500 |
| EXCEPTIONAL SIXTEEN-GALLON STONEWARE JAR, with Profuse Freehand and Stenciled Cobalt Decoration, Stenciled "Hamilton & Jones Greensboro.", Pennsylvania origin, circa 1870, semi-ovoid jar with incised banding to body, tooled shoulder, semi-rounded rim, and applied lug handles, lavishly-decorated with freehand stripes, spots, and flowering vines to the upper body, the midsection with unusual single-line maker's stenciling, "Hamilton & Jones Greensboro.". Bottom half of jar with wonderful mix of freehand and stenciled decorations, including brushed vining, a band of stenciled stars surrounding by scalloped brushwork, brushed stripes, and a bold-faced stenciled "16" flanked by stenciled foliate motifs. Brushed cobalt highlights to handle terminals. The decoration reveals strong stylistic similarities with the finest work of a competitor in Greensboro, James Hamilton & Co., most notably in the use of stenciled stars surrounded by arched freehand brushwork. This outstanding jar, with its profuse, top-to-bottom decoration, embodies the exuberant style of the best Western Pennsylvania stoneware and is considered one of the finest examples of pottery from the region to come to auction in the past several years. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, which descended in an Ohio family, recently discovered in a relative's home. Condition: Excellent condition with a few minor chips on interior of rim, two glazed-over handle chips, and some minor staining and minor wear to surface. H 22.5". Sold at Crocker Farm July 16, 2016 Price Realized: $17,250 | |
| EXCEEDINGLY RARE AND IMPORTANT SIX-GALLON STONEWARE JAR, with Cobalt and Manganese Slip Deer, Fish, and Bird Motifs, attributed to David Greenland Thompson, Morgantown, WV, circa 1860, large-sized, cylindrical jar with tooled shoulder, tapered rim, and extruded lug handles, decorated in cobalt and manganese slip with a large stag featuring a sponge-decorated body, incised facial details, and oversized rack, standing atop a sponge-decorated ground beside a tree stump. Shoulder decorated with four flying birds, possibly ducks. Brushed manganese fish decoration below with cobalt-slip eye and incised details to gill and mouth. Brushed manganese highlights to handle terminals. Impressed at shoulder with Morgantown six-gallon capacity mark, flanked by cobalt brushwork. Additional six-gallon capacity mark on reverse. This exciting, recently-discovered jar is one of a few Morgantown pieces known featuring a deer design. The rarity and aesthetic value of the jar is compounded dramatically by the inclusion of a classic Morgantown fish motif and flock of birds, which create an elaborate natural scene depicting animals of the air, field, and stream. The overall style of the birds is noteworthy, most unusual among surviving Morgantown products. While typical Morgantown bird-decorated stoneware features crane-like birds in a stationary position, either standing or perched on a branch, this jar portrays flying and diving birds of a different form, possibly ducks. As such, this jar is not only the first piece of Morgantown stoneware we have seen depicting this type of bird, but also the first we have seen with such a strong sense of motion conveyed in the figure. A sense of depth is created to the scene with two of the birds depicted loosely, as X-shaped brushwork flying in the distance. This vessel holds great significance as possibly the only surviving Morgantown product decorated with multiple animal designs. The use of cobalt and manganese together is an additional trait we have only observed on a small number of finer pieces produced by the Thompsons. Certainly one of the most significant discoveries in Morgantown pottery of the last two decades. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, purchased by the consignor's grandfather during the mid 20th century. Condition: Two large reglued pieces to base / underside. An additional reglued 2.5" triangular piece on underside. A 1.125" triangular hole in underside. A tiny nick to one handle. H 17". Sold at Crocker Farm July 16, 2016 Price Realized: $18,400 | |
| EXTREMELY RARE OVOID REDWARE JAR, with Three-Color Slip Tulip Decoration, Virginia origin, late 18th or early 19th century, highly-ovoid jar with footed base, tooled shoulder, and raised rim molding, decorated around the shoulder with brushed copper-slip tulips surrounded by cream-colored slip and bordered by slip-trailed manganese spots. Interior and exterior surface covered in a clear lead glaze. This recently-surfaced jar bears a distinctive spotted tulip motif found on a jar attributed to Samuel Butter of Clarksburg, Virginia, circa 1820, which resides in the collection of the National Museum of American History and is pictured and discussed in Donald Horvath and Richard Duez's Ceramics in America 2004 article, "The Potters and Potteries of Morgan's Town, Virginia: The Earthenware Years, Circa 1796-1854". Butter apprenticed to Jacob Foulk, Jr., a Morgantown, Virginia potter who also employed similar tulip motifs in multi-color slip. Before 1802, Foulk was active in Frederick County, VA, as noted by H.E. Comstock in his book, The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region. The discovery of this jar just north of Harrisonburg, Virginia, approximately seventy miles south of Foulk's Frederick County pottery site, offers the possibility that this piece may actually be a very early Shenandoah Valley of Virginia product, made by Foulk prior to his Morgantown venture. A jar by the same hand, sold as lot #511 in Sotheby's sale, "Visual Grace: Important Folk Art From the Collection of Ralph O. Esmerian", carried an attribution (which we believe to be erroneous) to Christian Klinker of Bucks County, PA. It had been acquired by Joe Kindig, Jr. in 1971, a dealer known for acquiring objects further south. Slip-decorated redware of the Morgantown school is considered extremely rare and few examples have come to market in recent years. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, recently found in the Harrisonburg, VA area. Literature: For a jar by the same maker, see American Radiance: The Ralph Esmerian Gift to the American Folk Art Museum, p. 130, fig. 90. Condition: Some losses to slip. A .875" chip to interior of rim. Some glaze wear and a small, shallow chip to exterior of rim. H 6.5". Sold at Crocker Farm July 16, 2016 Price Realized: $16,100 | |
| MONUMENTAL EIGHT-GALLON OPEN-HANDLED STONEWARE WATER COOLER, with Elaborate Incised Federal Eagle Design, Ohio origin, circa 1840, vasiform cooler with ovoid body, octagonal bunghole, and open handles with raised lower terminals. Decorated on the front with a large incised and cobalt-highlighted design of a Federal eagle with impressed screw-head eye and stylized shield, clutching an olive branch in one foot and a horse in the other. Incised with a large, bold-faced number 8 above, with cobalt-highlighted interior. Bunghole surrounded by cobalt highlights. The highly unusual design of a horse grasped in the eagle's talons may be a reference dating back to Greek mythology, where an olive branch represented peace and a horse symbolized war. Made circa 1840, this patriotic cooler may allude to America's involvement in a number of conflicts during the 1830s and 1840s. The Indian Removal Act of 1830, which forcibly relocated Eastern Native American tribes to the West, led to a number of battles, both large and small, between the government and indigenous people. This period also witnessed a number of events related to the Mexican-American War, including the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, culminating in the war itself in 1846 and 1847. General Zachary Taylor's success at the Battle of Palo Alto in May of 1846 was well-publicized throughout the country at the time. Of interesting note was his employment of a horse or "flying" artillery, which was devastating against the Mexican army. With its imposing size, sculptural form, and outstanding figural decoration, this cooler ranks as one of the finest examples of Ohio stoneware to come to auction in the past several years. Condition: Reglued and colored section on underside. Otherwise excellent condition. H 21". Sold at Crocker Farm July 16, 2016 Price Realized: $14,950 | |
| EXCEEDINGLY RARE FOUR-GALLON STONEWARE CROCK, with Cobalt Walking Deer Decoration, Stamped "COWDEN & WILCOX / HARRISBURG, PA", circa 1865, cylindrical crock with squared rim and applied lug handles, decorated with a slip-trailed design of a deer with large rack standing atop a stylized ground. Cobalt highlights to handle terminals, maker's mark, and capacity mark. Only a few examples of stoneware with deer decorations are known from the Cowden & Wilcox Pottery, or the entire state of Pennsylvania for that matter. Its design was likely inspired or executed by the New-York-trained potter, Shem Thomas. To our knowledge, this crock is the first Cowden & Wilcox deer-decorated piece to come to auction in over fifteen years. Condition: Large area of restoration to left side of crock. The interior reveals a crack, but the restoration covers more area, and may just be superfluous. Surface lines to underside, not visible on interior. Two short, faint surface lines to body, not visible on interior. H 10.875". Sold at Crocker Farm July 16, 2016 Price Realized: $13,800 | |
| GAUDY DUTCH SINGLE ROSE PATTERN SOFT PASTE CHINA HELMET FORM CREAM PITCHER, yellow and green leaves. 4.5"h. Condition: Very good. Sold at Conestoga Auctions July 23, 2016. Estimate: $200-400 Price Realized: $1,000 (does not include buyer's premium) | |
| GAUDY DUTCH SOFT PASTE CHINA WAR BONNET PATTERN TEAPOT, 6.25"h. Condition: Good with minor chips, in the making chip on side of spout. (under glaze). Sold at Conestoga Auctions July 23, 2016. Estimate: $200-400 Price Realized: $1,750 (does not include buyer's premium) | |
| GAUDY DUTCH SOFT PASTE CHINA WAR BONNET PATTERN COVERED SUGAR BOWL, 5.25"h. Condition: Good with some interior rim chips and stains. Sold at Conestoga Auctions July 23, 2016. Estimate: $200-400 Price Realized: $2,700 (does not include buyer's premium) | |
| GAUDY DUTCH SOFT PASTE CHINA WAR BONNET HELMET FORM CREAM PITCHER, 5"h. Condition: Good with minor wear and crazing. Sold at Conestoga Auctions July 23, 2016. Estimate: $200-400 Price Realized: $1,900 (does not include buyer's premium) | |
| GAUDY DUTCH BUTTERFLY PATTERN SOFT PASTE CHINA PLATE. Large central butterfly design. 10" diameter. Condition: Very good with minor wear. Sold at Conestoga Auctions July 23, 2016. Estimate: $200-400 Price Realized: $2,000 (does not include buyer's premium) | |
| EARTHWORM MOCHA DECORATED CHINA BARREL FORM PITCHER. Two bold bands of zig zag earthworm design. 7"h. Condition: Good with two small chips on side of spout. Sold at Conestoga Auctions July 23, 2016. Estimate: $500-800 Price Realized: $1,000 (does not include buyer's premium) | |
| MARBLEIZED MOCHA DECORATED CHINA MILK PITCHER, Bulbous form with applied loop handle. 5.5"h. Condition: Very good. Sold at Conestoga Auctions July 23, 2016. Estimate: $300-500 Price Realized: $2,000 (does not include buyer's premium) | |
| NEW ENGLAND 19TH CENTURY PAINT DECORATED SOFTWOOD DOME LID MINIATURE TRUNK, Interior newspaper lining dated 1832, original iron hardware. 8"h. x 18"w. x 9.5"d. Condition: Good with darkening and wear, leather hinges are torn. Sold at Conestoga Auctions July 23, 2016. Estimate: $200-400 Price Realized: $1,100 (does not include buyer's premium) | |
| PAIR OF LATE 18TH/EARLY 18TH CENTURY RED PAINTED WOOD IRON MOUNTED PRICKET LAMPS, 26"h. Condition: Good with wear and losses. Sold at Conestoga Auctions July 23, 2016. Estimate: $200-400 Price Realized: $1,500 (does not include buyer's premium) | |
| RARE SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA EARLY 19TH CENTRY WRIGGLE WORK TIN COFFEE POT. Conical form with reinforced C-scroll handle with snake wriggle work, straight spout. Large American spread wing eagle with flag on obverse, various tulip motifs on reverse. Accompanied with paperwork stating the Royer family lineage of six generations. 12.5"h. Condition: Good with wear and minor pitting, porcelain finial has damage. Sold at Conestoga Auctions July 23, 2016. Estimate: $2,000-3,000 Price Realized: $2,600 (does not include buyer's premium) | |
| ANTIQUE PENNSYLVANIA HORSE AND RIDER TIN COOKIE CUTTER, Applied handle. 9.5"l. Condition: Good with pitting and rust. Sold at Conestoga Auctions July 23, 2016. Estimate: $200-400 Price Realized: $1,100 (does not include buyer's premium) |
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All material on this website © copyright 2009-24 by Colonial Sense, except where otherwise indicated.
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