Exceptional Shenandoah Valley Multi-Glazed Redware Washbowl, attributed to S. Bell & Sons, Strasburg, VA, circa 1890, wheel-thrown bowl with foot base, molded handles with applied clay orbs, and perforated soapdish with coggled edge, surmounted by scrolled pieces of clay flanked by clay orbs. Surface decorated with splashed copper and manganese over yellow clay, and covered in a clear lead glaze. This washbowl is strongly attributed to S. Bell & Sons based on its employment of molded, as opposed to hand-pulled, handles. This example is significant in its near-flawless condition, as the vast majority of Shenandoah Valley washbowls succumbed to moderate to significant wear and damage over years of use. This example survives in the best state of preservation that we have seen in a Shenandoah Valley washbowl, appearing very similar to how it would have looked being removed from the Bells' kiln some 125 years ago. Provenance: A recently-surfaced example, purchased by the consignor in the early 1980s. Rarely-found, near-mint condition with two tiny specks of wear to edge of soapdish, some very minor surface wear to glaze on interior base, caused by the placement of the pitcher inside, and three chips to underside of foot, which appear to be in-the-firing "kiln scars". H 7" ; W 17 1/2".
