Rare Anna Pottery / 1895 Stoneware Owl Figure, "Night Operator"

November 3, 2018 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 79

Price Realized: $2,596.00

($2,200 hammer, plus 18% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: This result is 6 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.

November 3, 2018 Auction Catalog

◀︎ Back to Catalog

▶ Login

Very Rare Anna Pottery Stoneware Owl Whistle with Glass Eyes, Inscribed "Night Operator / Wide awake", Signed "Anna Pottery / 1895", Anna, IL, 1895, molded figural whistle in the form of an owl with original yellow-and-black glass eyes, seated on a log. Surface lavishly-decorated with Albany slip spots and highlights. Incised dashes surround the bird's eyes and form the feathers on the bird's legs. Edges of log base coated in Albany slip and incised in a sgraffito fashion, "Night Operator" and "Wide awake". Underside coated in Albany slip and incised, "Anna Pottery / 1895". Tail of bird carved in the form of a whistle with authentic owl sound. A classic Anna figural form. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, recently purchased at an estate sale. An added brass lamp (?) fixture was added to the top of the owl's head. While the exact method of attachment is unknown, it appears likely that this piece was affixed to the figure by drilling into its head. Additional tight, sealed cracks to the front and reverse of the owl seem to corroborate this analysis. A crack near the base suggests the owl may have been reglued to the log. A loss to right side of base. A chip to tip of beak. Much of the damage is consistent with the object's use as a child's toy. Only a small number of this form have survived. H (excluding hat) 5 1/4".