Early SOLOMON BELL 6-Gallon Stoneware Crock

November 6, 2010 Stoneware Auction

Price Realized: $2,875.00 ($2,500 hammer, plus 15% buyer's premium).

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".

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