Very Rare Early Rockingham County, VA Plums "Squat Pot," "Mrs. L. Moyers Nov. 19th 1845"

March 23, 2019 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 332

Price Realized: $2,478.00

($2,100 hammer, plus 18% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: This result is 5 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 23, 2019 Auction Catalog

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Extremely Rare Presentation Stoneware Preserve Jar with Cobalt Floral Decoration, Inscribed "Plumb" and "Mrs. E. moyers Nov. 19th 1845", attributed to the Coffman Family, Rockingham County, VA, 1845, squat-shaped, ovoid jar with tooled shoulder, incised on one side in fine script with the word, "Plumb", above a brushed design of a flower emanating from a leafy stem. Reverse incised with the highly unusual presentation inscription, "Mrs E moyers Nov 19th 1845", lightly-highlighted in cobalt slip, above a brushed flower blossom. Brushed cobalt highlights to handle terminals. Includes original salt-glazed lid. Based on all of the candidates for "E. Moyers" found in the 1850 federal census for Rockingham County (taken along with marriage records), Mrs. E. Moyers was very probably Elizabeth Moyers (born about 1822), wife of Samuel Moyers, a local farmer. The inclusion of an incised owner's name and early date add significant rarity and importance to this example. Its 1845 date is possibly the earliest found on a Rockingham County preserve jar, offering insight into the development of this highly-prized form. One handle missing. Other handle with loss and chipping. A small rim chip. Shallow chipping to edge of lid. Missing most of vertical flange on underside of lid. H (excluding lid) 5".