Extremely Rare Pennsylvania Redware Face Pitcher, 19th century

Summer 2025 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 170

Price Realized: $3,900.00

($3,250 hammer, plus 20% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: The American ceramics market frequently changes, often dramatically. 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: Summer 2025 Auction | Face Jugs | Pennsylvania Redware

Summer 2025 Auction Catalog

◀︎ Back to Catalog

▶ Login

Extremely Rare Slip-Decorated Redware Face Pitcher, PA origin, 19th century, stylishly-potted, ovoid pitcher with footed base, flared rim, and large upswept spout, decorated on the front with a hand-modeled and applied clay face of a man featuring eyes within raised lids, eyebrows, nose with depressed nostrils, refined mustache, open mouth, and chin with mouche and goatee. Depressed areas on the interior of the pitcher create the full cheeks of the man's face. Incised details to eyebrows and facial hair. Yellow and manganese slip highlights to eyes. Additional manganese application descending from the upper eyelids as well as highlights to facial hair. Surface covered in a clear lead glaze over mottled orange ground. This significant new discovery is the first face-decorated redware pitcher that we have ever offered. Its elegant form is inspired by English china of the period. Face vessels produced from redware are significantly rarer than their stoneware counterparts and we have only offered a few examples in this clay medium. A restored 2" x 1" wedge at rim. A shallow 1 3/4" flake to rim. Additional wear to rim. Chips and wear to spout. Areas of wear to applied face and surface wear to midsection of pitcher. A chip to proper upper right eyelid. Base chips. Wear to handle. H 7 3/4".