Lot #: 40
Price Realized: $690.00
($600 hammer, plus 15% buyer's premium)
PLEASE NOTE: This result is 8 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.
Extremely Rare Painted Redware Bear Plaque, Signed and Dated "Made by W.J. Smith, Jr. / June 4th / 1899", Bridgeton, NJ origin, 1899, hand-modeled plaque in the form of a bear's head with open mouth bearing teeth, the surface embellished with heavily-incised fur and black, red, and white cold-painted highlights. Reverse features the large incised signature of Bridgeton, NJ potter, William J. Smith, Jr., along with the date "June 4th, 1899". A small wooden plug with metal staple is inserted into the reverse side, presumably for hanging on the wall. This plaque is the first example of the form we have seen in American redware. Wonderful subject matter with strong folk art appeal. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, consigned from Florida. An in-the-firing chip and other later chips to ears, which were painted over sometime during use. Possible very shallow chipping to edge of mouth, which may have been painted over during use. L 7" ; H (on reverse) 6".
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