Exceedingly Rare and Important Glazed Stoneware Figural String Holder, West TN origin, possibly Paris, Henry County, TN, late 19th or early 20th century, wheel-thrown and hand-modeled figure in the form of an African-American woman wearing a long skirt and apron, depicted with one hand on hip and the other balancing a wheel-thrown pot atop her head. Figure includes applied facial features, hair, crossed kerchief around her neck, and tied waist band above the apron Surface covered in an Albany slip glaze with omission or removal of the glaze across the apron prior to the firing. Open underside and hollow interior with original hole for receiving string beside figure's left hand. Exceptional form, the only example of its kind that we are aware of. Exhibited: Tennessee Turned, Earthenware and Stoneware Made in East Tennessee 1800-1900, Museum of East Tennessee History, May 16-October 30, 2011. Provenance: In her notes, Wahler states, "Tony and Kitty Ables sold this, prob to Monty from whom I purchased it. According to Tony Abels: 'It belonged to a black family whose parents had both died and rather than the family to argue over anything they decided to sell it all. . . She [the figure] came from Gibson Co., Tenn. Which is Milan. Gibson Wells is well known for pottery and mineral water. . . I think the family name was Davis, I will check and make sure of it. The family thought it was made by their family. It was so minor I believe that to be true.'" Excellent, essentially as-made condition. H 13 1/4".
