Two Rare Porter Family, Oil Creek, PA Stoneware Jars

Summer 2020 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 312

Price Realized: $510.00

($425 hammer, plus 20% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: This result is 4 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.

Summer 2020 Auction Catalog

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Two Rare Porter Family, Oil Creek, PA Stoneware Jars with Cobalt Decoration, circa 1840-1880, a two-gallon ovoid jar with tall collar and applied lug handles, decorated with an artistically-brushed floral motif and cobalt highlights to the handle terminals, stamped "WM * PORTER / OIL * CREEK;" paired with a two-gallon cylindrical jar with freehand cobalt "2", stamped "PORTER & BENEDICT." The first jar was made by William Porter, the son of Rochester-trained potter, Micah Porter, who established a pottery in Oil Creek, Venango County, PA, circa 1830. The mark on the second jar presumably represents the firm of William Porter (or another family member) with a partner named Benedict in Oil Creek. Signed examples from the Porters' Oil Creek operation are considered rare. William Porter jar with surface wear, a small chip above left handle, a very faint Y-shaped surface line to underside, and two short in-the-firing surface fissures at base on reverse. Porter & Benedict jar with a 1 1/2" section of in-the-firing chipping to underside of one handle, a tight spider line on one side below handle, and a few extremely minor base nicks.