Extremely Rare Shenandoah Valley of Virginia Stoneware Flowerpot with Profuse Cobalt Decoration, attributed to Solomon Bell, Strasburg, VA, circa 1870, tapered form with double-crimped rim, impressed key-tip decoration, and incised embellishments, the body profusely-decorated with a swag and hanging flower motif including fern-like brushwork culminating in stylized tulip blossoms. This motif is repeated four times around the body of the vessel and is interspersed with small reversed swags. Additionally decorated above with brushed dashes below a cobalt stripe. This specific example is illustrated and discussed in H.E. Comstock's The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region. Of this flowerpot, Comstock writes: "The Strasburg shop did not produce many salt-glazed flowerpots. Few specimens have survived, and rarely are they of the same quality as that in figure 5.75. Made to be coupled with a detached saucer, this flowerpot has decorative embellishments characteristic of Solomon Bell products. The unusual cobalt decoration and the use of a key end to punch decorate, as seen on the vessel neck area, occurs on other examples of Solomon's marked ware as well as on the products of the Waynesboro Bells and Jacob Heart." (Comstock, p. 224). As noted by Comstock, very few salt-glazed flowerpots from Strasburg are known. We are aware of only one other comparable example. Bearing the mark of J. Eberly & Bro., it is potted in a similar form, includes less-elaborate cobalt brushwork and lacks the punched and incised embellishments. One of the finest stoneware flowerpots known from the state of Virginia. Literature: Illustrated and discussed in Comstock, The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 224, fig. 5.75. Excellent condition with some minor chips to crimping. H 7 3/8".
