Exceedingly Rare and Important Slip-Decorated Redware Cruet, Inscribed "J. Bell / 1877, / June 2," John Bell, Sr., Waynesboro, PA, 1877, ovoid form with footed base, rounded neck molding, and narrow mouth, fitted with a triply-spurred handle, the surface dipped in a cream-colored slip, decorated throughout with profuse manganese sponging, and covered in a clear lead glaze. Underside incised with the sgraffito signature and date, "J. Bell / 1877, / June 2." A significant work based on its form and glaze alone, this object is elevated by its bold sgraffito signature and date, indicating Bell made it just three years before his death. While a number of hand-signed pieces by Bell's sons, John W., Upton M., and Charles F. Bell, have survived, this cruet is one of a very few examples of pottery known bearing his own hand-incised signature. A related cruet, bearing the signature, "John Bell / 1859," is illustrated in Comstock's The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 123, fig. 4.120. As few examples of this form exist and two bear hand-incised signatures, it is possible that Bell produced such pieces for special purposes. Provenance: Recently surfaced in Pennsylvania. Excellent, essentially as-made condition. H 7 1/2".
