Summer 2025 Auction Featured Photos

Edgefield Masterwork. Highly Important Large-Sized Alkaline-Glazed Stoneware Face Jar, Stamped "G.P. SEIGLER, / TRENTON, S.C.," George P. Seigler Pottery, Shaw's Creek, Edgefield District, SC, circa 1870-1880. This newly-discovered Edgefield face vessel is remarkable for its monumental proportions and addition of a maker's stamp, being one of only three Edgefield examples bearing a signature known. (One bearing the stamp, "CHANDLER / MAKER," made at the pottery of Thomas Chandler circa 1850 and another bearing the stamp, "MARK.," made at the Baynham Pottery in Trenton, circa 1900, have been documented.)

This jar, standing an astounding 15 1/4" tall and measuring in the range of four gallons, is outsized among Edgefield face vessels only by the iconic 28" tall face jar in the collection of the High Museum. Parallels can be drawn between the construction of both of these oversized face vessels in the modeling of the vessels' rims as well as the figures' noses and individually-applied, pointed teeth.

Adding to the rarity of this example is its jar form. To our knowledge only three total Edgefield face jars are known: the High Museum jar; this jar; and a third, significantly smaller example, illustrated on p. 109 of Cinda K. Baldwin's Great and Noble Jar. The jar offered in this auction is the only example of the three to include a pulled handle on the reverse, designed to aid in carrying the large-sized vessel.

The jar's maker's mark, impressed at the base on the reverse, indicates it was made at the pottery of George P. Seigler, son of John W. Seigler, along Shaw's Creek. According to Baldwin, this mark's Trenton location reflects a change in the post office from Pine House, South Carolina (as seen in John Seigler's earlier stamp) to Trenton, South Carolina, in 1870. The curious addition of this stamp indicates a sense of pride in its manufacture and appears very purposeful considering the fact that, among the two-hundred or so surviving Edgefield face jugs, only three are signed. Could this work perhaps have been a "storefront" advertising piece for Siegler's pottery?

Census research discussed by Corbett Toussaint in her 2021-2022 Journal of Early Southern Decorative Arts article, "Edgefield District Stoneware: The Potter's Legacy," shows that, in 1880, the Siegler establishment was operated primarily by four Black potters: Mark Jones; his son, Brister Jones; Fortune Justice; and Washington Miles. Mark Jones is believed to be the son-in-law of David Drake, listed as living in Drake's household along with Brister, his wife, and other children in the 1870 census. His fingerprint has been indelibly left on the story of Edgefield stoneware with the survival of an iconic jar, inscribed "Dave and / Mark / Lm. March 10 1859," in the collection of The Smithsonian Institution. A second famous alkaline-glazed jar by Brister Jones, bearing the incised inscription,“Brister Jones the maker Sept the 6 1880 It will hold inny thing that you can get in it,” bears the same G.P. Seigler, Trenton, SC maker's mark seen on the face jar in this auction and helps place a date on its manufacture. So, while the vast majority of Edgefield face vessels are attributed to unknown potters of African descent from a number of possible shops, this jar can, within reason, be attributed to one of the four men discussed by Toussaint: Mark Jones, Brister Jones, Washington Miles, or Fortune Justice. As such it is one of only two or so Edgefield face vessels that can be attributed with little doubt to a Black potter. (A face jug bearing the incised name, "JOE RANFORD," in the collection of The Smithsonian Institution, is firmly attributed by Toussaint to Fortune Justice based on its distinctive penmanship.)

A combination of several attributes, including size, maker's mark, quality of modeling, form, and glaze, place this jar among the greatest American ceramic face vessels in existence. This exciting discovery not only broadens our understanding of Edgefield's stoneware legacy, but significantly advances our knowledge of the region's captivating and enigmatic face vessels, and the much-studied role of African-American potters in their creation. Additionally, this jar highlights a guild of newly-freed Black potters working in Reconstruction-Era Edgefield District establishing their own identities as craftspeople. Provenance: Recently discovered in the Northeast. H 15 1/8".

Western Pennsylvania Masterwork. Exceedingly Rare and Important Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Pitcher with Double Applied Eagle Motif, Stamped Twice "WM* PORTER," Pleasantville, Venango County, PA, circa 1830.

Featuring a form related to refined Staffordshire china of the period, this work is elevated by its depiction of spread-winged eagles on opposing sides. While molded eagle motifs can occasionally be found on pieces produced in the Northeastern U.S., Ohio, and, very rarely, by the Lowndes pottery in Petersburg, Virginia, such decorative additions are essentially unknown in Western Pennsylvania stoneware production. Porter stoneware from Pleasantville is regarded as rare in its own right and this example is easily quantifiable as the masterwork of the family's production. Provenance: James Chebalo Collection; Crocker Farm, Inc., October 31, 2009, lot 120. H 12 1/2".

Harrisburg Stoneware Discovery. Exceedingly Rare and Important Small-Sized Stoneware Presentation Pitcher with Cobalt Floral Decoration, Inscribed "John, A, Stahl, / Harrisburg / JMT," James Mantell Thomas at the Cowden and Wilcox Pottery, Harrisburg, PA, circa 1865.

Among the most outstanding examples of Central Pennsylvania to come to auction in years, this pitcher is both highly decorative and highly significant to the history of Harrisburg's stoneware industry. Few hand-inscribed examples of stoneware produced in Pennsylvania's capital city are known. These include a muffineer, a miniature pitcher and mug set, and a jar bearing the signature of Shem Thomas on the underside, all regionally-famous works. The signature, "J.M.T.," on this pitcher indicates it was made by James Mantell Thomas, the son of New-York-trained potter, Shem Thomas, the latter distinguished as one the most instrumental figures in the city's stoneware craft. James Mantell Thomas is named after his father's old partner from Penn Yan, NY, potter James Mantell. The Thomases would later move west to Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, establishing a pottery there that produced stoneware potted and decorated in the Cowden and Wilcox style. The name of the pitcher's owner, John A. Stahl, refers to a successful Harrisburg tobacconist.

From a decorative standpoint, the pitcher is distinguished by its unusually small size and stylish, carved rim, a feature essentially unknown in Cowden stoneware production, one that mimics the form of fancy Rockingham and china pitchers of the period. A truly remarkable work in all respects, one that expounds on the story on Central Pennsylvania's most famous stoneware pottery. H 4 7/8".

Rare Four-Gallon Stoneware Crock with Cobalt House and Flag Decoration, Stamped "A.O. WHITTEMORE / HAVANA, NY," circa 1870. Provenance: James Chebalo Collection; Crocker Farm, Inc., May, 21, 2005, lot 42. H 10 5/8".

Decoration, Maker, and Size. Exceptional Ten-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Profuse Freehand Cobalt Decoration, Stamped "BOUGHNER / GREENSBORO / PA," circa 1865. H 19 1/2".

Phenomenal Flask. Exceedingly Rare and Important Glazed Redware Flask with Two-Color Slip Star Decoration, attributed to the Loy or Albright Families, Alamance County, NC, late 18th century.

This outstanding flask combines high decorative appeal in its bold, regional slip decoration with extreme rarity, being only the second example of this form documented in Alamance County redware production. The other example, matching in form and featuring a dark-brown glaze with three-color slip decoration, is owned by Old Salem Museum and Gardens. H 5 3/4".

Extremely Rare Moravian Redware Mug with Whieldon Glaze, attributed to Rudolph Christ, Bethabara, NC, circa 1786-1789.

This recently-surfaced work is the only intact example of this specific form and style that we have seen. Both the glaze and form, including the distinctive handle construction, are based in the tortoiseshell ware of English potter, Thomas Whieldon (1719-1795). Two fragmented and reassembled mugs of closely-related form, glaze, and handle construction, were excavated at Bethabara Pottery, made during Rudolph Christ's tenure as master potter, circa 1786-1789. One is owned by Old Salem Museum and Gardens, the other by Historic Bethabara Park. An intact cylindrical mug of broader form, slightly different handle, and different patterning to the copper and manganese, attributed to Salem or Bethabara Potteries circa 1780-1830, resides in the collection of Old Salem Museum and Gardens.

A significant discovery in Moravian tableware. The remarkably thin potting and delicacy of this piece may help explain why examples of this form simply did not survive. Provenance: Recently surfaced in the Southeastern U.S. H 3 3/8".

Rare and Fine Moravian Copper-Glazed Redware Fish Bottle, Salem, NC origin, circa 1801-1829. L 6 1/8".

Decoration and Size. Outstanding Miniature Redware Dish with Profuse Two-Color-Slip Tree-of-Life Motif, probably Alamance County, NC origin, circa 1820-1840. Among the most finely-decorated American redware miniatures that we have ever offered. Provenance: Acquired decades ago from Don Walters. Diam. 3 7/8".

Cover Piece. Extremely Rare and Important Five-Quart Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Jug with Incised Bird and Floral Motifs, attributed to Chester Webster, Randolph County, NC, circa 1850. Wonderfully-decorated with turned-head and forward-facing birds on opposing sides, this jug is elevated by its use of cobalt slip decoration, rarely seen in Webster's work. Literature: Illustrated on the cover of Scarborough, North Carolina Decorated Stoneware: The Webster School of Folk Potters, first edition; illustrated in Scarborough, second edition, p. 56, fig. 56. Provenance: Descended in the Craven family of potters. H 11 1/4".

Exceptional Two-Gallon Double-Handled Stoneware Jug with Incised Fish and Double-Bird Motifs, OH origin, second quarter 19th century. Provenance: Crocker Farm, Inc., Summer 2022 auction, lot 26. H 14 1/2".

Rare Sgraffito Redware Plate with Elaborate Tulip Plant Motif, Southeastern PA origin, Dated July the 9 1821. This work survives in good condition for its type with some professional restoration glaze flakes towards the base totaling less than 10% of its glazed surface. Diam. 10 7/8".

Decoration and Form. Outstanding Open-Handled Redware Jar with Profuse Sgraffito Floral and Heart Motifs, Southeastern PA origin, late 18th or early 19th century. Featuring lavish sgraffito treatment on the front, reverse, and even the sides, this work is among the most extravagantly-decorated Pennsylvania redware jars known. Enhancing its appeal is the application of splashed copper throughout. Adding to its scarcity is its jar form, significantly rarer than the dishes for which sgraffito ware is most well known. Provenance: A recently-surfaced work, acquired by the consignor from a New Jersey antiques dealer/collector several decades ago. H 7".

Rare and Fine Open-Handled Redware Jar with Three-Color Slip Decoration, Southeastern PA origin, late 18th or early 19th century. H 5 1/8" ; Diam. 7 1/4".

Extremely Rare Slip-Decorated Redware Keg Bank, Stamped "Adam B. Pfaltzgraff / York, PA," second half 19th century. The first example of marked Pfaltzgraff redware that we have ever offered. H 3 1/2".

Rare and Fine Three-Gallon Stoneware Jug with Cobalt Double Pheasant Decoration, Stamped "J. & E. NORTON / BENNINGTON, VT," circa 1855. H 15 1/2".

Scarce and Fine Three-Gallon Stoneware Crock with Elaborate Cobalt Deer Scene, Stamped "POTTERY WORKS / LITTLE W 12ST ST N.Y.," circa 1870. Provenance: James Chebalo Collection. H 9 7/8".

Rare One-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Cobalt Federal Shield and American Flag Decorations, Inscribed " E.P.U." [E. Pluribus Unum], Stamped "WM E WARNER / WEST TROY", New York State origin, circa 1850. Literature: Illustrated on p. 147 of Broderick, Warren F. and William Bouck, Pottery Works: Potteries of New York State's Capital District and Upper Hudson Region, 1995. H 8 1/4".

Rare Alkaline-Glazed Stoneware Face Jug, Edgefield District, SC origin, probably Thomas J. Davies Pottery, third quarter 19th century. The vessel's underside bears an old pencil notation possibly referring to previous ownership, which appears to read, "1882 / Pri.....(?)." Provenance: H.W. Carroll Furman, Camden, SC; Bill Mishoe Auction, Columbia, SC; Roger Streeter, Columbia, SC; Ivy Auctions, Laurens, SC, December 16, 2014. The jug's earliest recorded owner, H.W. Carroll Furman (1922-2011) was a combat infantry veteran of World War II, who was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart. A graduate of The Citadel, Furman was awarded The Order of the Palmetto by South Carolina Governor, Carroll Campbell, and practiced law in Camden after retirement from regular duty. H 5".

Rare Small-Sized Alkaline-Glazed Stoneware Pitcher with Iron Slip Decoration, attributed to Thomas Chandler, Edgefield District, SC, circa 1845. H 7 1/4".

Exceedingly Rare and Important Alkaline-Glazed Stoneware Face Jug, attributed to Cheever Meaders, Cleveland, GA, mid 20th century. H 10 1/4".

Outstanding Fifteen-Gallon Four-Handled Stoneware Jar with Alkaline Glaze, Stamped "JCM," Daniel Seagle, Vale, NC, circa 1840. As stated in the research of NC collectors and historians, Tom and Lana Kleeberg, pieces bearing a "JCM" mark were made by Daniel Seagle for John Michal or his father, Johann Conrad Michal, who were members of a prominent Lincoln County, NC family, merchants, and associates of the Seagle family. Daniel Seagle is praised as one of the South's most-skilled 19th century stoneware potters, with an exceptional level of refinement to his ovoid forms, as seen in this example. His masterfully-thrown four-handled jars are among the most iconic pottery pieces known from the state of North Carolina, regarded as the zenith of this potter's production. H 19".

Western Pennsylvania Masterwork. Outstanding and Important Twenty-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Profuse Freehand Cobalt Decoration, Stenciled "EXCELSIOR WORKS / Isaac Hewitt, Jr. / RICES LANDING, PA", circa 1875. Featuring an extremely rare, broad-bodied form with tapered sides, this monumental pot gained notoriety for its use as the frontispiece of Carmen and Marie Guappone's 1992 book, America's Cobalt Decorated Stoneware- Special Edition: Book III A Pictorial Reference Price Guide, in which it received a $100,000 valuation. It is regarded as the finest example of Isaac Hewitt, Jr. stoneware known. While twenty-gallon jars were produced in Western Pennsylvania with some regularity, examples of this stylish form are virtually nonexistent. Literature: Illustrated on the first page and frontispiece of Guappone and Guappone, America's Cobalt Decorated Stoneware- Special Edition: Book III: A Pictorial Reference Guide. H 18 1/2" ; Diam. 20 1/2".

Exceptional Three-Gallon Stoneware Jug with Cobalt Man-in-the-Moon Decoration, Stamped "COWDEN & WILCOX / HARRISBURG, PA," circa 1865. Among the finest renderings of this iconic Central Pennsylvania motif to come to auction in years, the design on this jug is enhanced by its large size and rare inclusion of a mustache and mouche, a French term for the strip of facial hair grown below the lower lip. H 15 1/2".

Extremely Rare Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Presentation Pitcher and Mug Set, Inscribed "F. Eggart," attributed to Richard C. Remmey, Philadelphia, PA, circa 1885. Few presentation sets of any kind by Remmey are known. This pairing of forms allowed the owner to pour beer or other liquid from his pitcher into his own personalized mug. H (of pitcher) 11 1/2" ; H (of mug) 4 5/8".

Glaze and Form. Rare and Fine Oval Redware Loaf Dish with Extravagant Three-Color Slip Decoration, Norwalk, CT origin, late 18th or early 19th century. L 14 1/2".

Albany Artistry. Outstanding Lidded Stoneware Cake Crock or Soup Tureen with Molded and Brushed-Cobalt Decoration, Inscribed by the Potter, "Robert H. Williams" and Stamped "M TYLER / ALBANY," NY State origin, circa 1840. The most-ambitiously-decorated American stoneware cake crock that we have ever offered, this work combines a variety of decorative techniques with a desirable Albany maker and incised potter's signature to produce a tour de force of New York State stoneware. Of particular note are the vessel's ornamental handles and lid finial, molded from glass drawer pulls of the period. Despite its cake crock form, an original vent hole, pierced beside the finial to release steam, suggests this vessel may have held a heated liquid food item and possibly served as a soup tureen. H (including lid) 8 1/2" ; Diam. (of lid) 12".

Outstanding Stoneware Pitcher with Profuse Cobalt Stripe Decoration, Craven Family, Randolph or Moore Counties, NC, second half 19th century. Among the most heavily-decorated examples of American stoneware known, this work is made all-the-more significant by its manufacture in the North Carolina tradition, in which cobalt was sparingly used. The basis for its Craven/North Carolina attribution include a number of characteristics, including its color, salt application, glazed underside, cobalt banding (documented on pieces by Jacob Dorris Craven, Thomas Wesley Craven, and John Anderson Craven), and elongated, pointed handle terminal (also documented in the Cravens' work). Literature: Illustrated in The Mentor Magazine, April 1928; Illustrated in Scarborough, The Webster School of Folk Potters, p. 36, fig. 38. H 7 1/2".

Extremely Rare and Important Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Sugar Bowl, Dated 1853, attributed to the Craven Family, Randolph or Moore County, NC, 1853. This example is one of a few 19th century salt-glazed stoneware sugar bowls known from the entire state. Its distinctive vertical-handled, three-footed form is related to an incised sugar bowl made by Chester Webster in Randolph County, NC, circa 1850, illustrated in Quincy and Samuel Scarborough's North Carolina Decorated Stoneware: The Webster School of Folk Potters, p. 61. Relationships between Webster and Craven family vessel forms are noted in Scarborough, indicating the two families influenced each other's work. H (including lid) 4 1/2".

Exceptional Large-Sized Lidded Stoneware Preserve Jar with Profuse Cobalt Floral Decoration, Inscribed "Peach," attributed to Coffman Family, Rockingham County, VA, mid 19th century. The reverse of this jar features one of the most elaborate designs known on this prized Shenandoah Valley form. Provenance: Recently-discovered in Central Virginia. H 7 1/2" ; Diam. (across midsection) 8".