Early SOLOMON BELL 6-Gallon Stoneware Crock

November 6, 2010 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 215

Price Realized: $2,875.00

($2,500 hammer, plus 15% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: This result is 14 years old, and the American ceramics market frequently changes. Additionally, small nuances of color, condition, shape, etc. can mean huge differences in price. If you're interested in having us sell a similar item for you, please contact us here.

Auction Highlight: November 6, 2010 Auction

November 6, 2010 Auction Catalog

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Outstanding Six-Gallon Early Stoneware Jar with Cobalt Tulip Decoration, Stamped "SOLOMON BELL," Winchester or Strasburg, VA, circa 1845, baluster-form jar with ovoid body, flaring rim, and ribbed lug handles, the front and back decorated with a large floral design of three tulips blossoming from a leafy stem. Area under one handle impressed with rare early Solomon Bell maker's mark, the first regularly-used stamp employed by Bell in both Winchester and Strasburg, circa 1845. A raised-face six-gallon capacity mark is impressed above this mark. One of the finest examples of early Bell stoneware to come to market in the past few years. Provenance: This jar was consigned from Wisconsin, having descended in the family of a VA antiques shop owner to the consignor. Jar is very stable, but with the following damage. 9 1/2" crack from rim. 5" inverted Y-shaped line from rim, not visible on interior. 2" thin crack from rim above one handle. Thin cracks on underside, extending onto base in a few places; one of these thin cracks forms a 3 1/2" x 4" Y at base, and another extends up base 5". A few minor rim nicks. H 15 1/2".