Extremely Rare Bibb County, Alabama Stoneware Pitcher, "John Terry / April the 8th / 1887"

March 25, 2017 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 35

Price Realized: $2,006.00

($1,700 hammer, plus 18% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: This result is 7 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.

March 25, 2017 Auction Catalog

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Extremely Rare Alkaline-Glazed Stoneware Pitcher, Signed and Dated "John Terry / April the 8th / 1887", Bibb County, AL origin, 1887, small-sized pitcher with ovoid belly, tooled midsection, tall collar, and thin strap handle, the surface covered in a green alkaline glaze. Incised in script across the collar, "John Terry / April Th 8Th 1887". A fine example of signed Alabama stoneware, exhibiting excellent form. Provenance: Dr. Raymond L. Owen, MD. Literature: The potter, John H. Terry, is listed in Brackner, Alabama Folk Pottery, University of Alabama Press, 2006, p. 254. Brackner's research states that Terry was born in South Carolina in 1810. This detail offers the possibility that he learned to pot in Edgefield. He is listed in the 1850 Bibb County, AL census as a potter and in the 1860 census as a farmer. He married Elizabeth Emily Baker in 1833 in St. Clair County, and had children born in Alabama between 1833-1858 (Brackner, p. 254). Very nice condition with some shallow chipping to spout and minor rim chips. H 7".