Stoneware Jar w/ Folk Art Owl Decoration, possibly Kentucky

July 19, 2008 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 16

Price Realized: $4,312.50

($3,750 hammer, plus 15% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: This result is 16 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.

Auction Highlight: July 19, 2008 Auction | Southern Pottery | Kentucky Stoneware

July 19, 2008 Auction Catalog

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Outstanding One-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Slip-Trailed Folk Art Owl Decoration, Midwestern or Southcentral U.S. origin, possibly Kentucky, circa 1850, straight-sided jar with tooled shoulder, semi-rounded rim, and distinctive one-gallon capacity mark, decorated with a slip-trailed cobalt design of an owl perched in a tree. Owl depicted with large circular eyes, rounded ears above, and human nose and mouth, surrounded by numerous hair-like strokes. The anthropomorphic depiction of the bird's face may be a reference to the long-held belief that owls are a symbol of wisdom. Perhaps the decorator was depicting someone he or she was familiar with. Interestingly, a few other rare examples of stoneware with owl decorations also represent the bird with a humanoid face. The color of the clay is consistent with stoneware made west of Pennsylvania and Virginia. An excellent example of folk art decoration. Provenance: Recently discovered at a small Kentucky auction. A 1" rim chip on reverse. 5" thin crack from rim on reverse. H 10 1/4".