March, 21 2020 Auction Featured Photos

Face Jug Discovery. Rare Alkaline-Glazed Stoneware Face Jug with Kaolin Eyes and Teeth, attributed to Miles Mill, Edgefield District, SC, circa 1865-1875. This work is the finest example from this pottery to come to auction in years, surviving in excellent condition and featuring a high-gloss, olive-toned glaze. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, acquired by a Mid-Atlantic consignor forty years ago. H 5".

Southern Masterwork. Exceedingly Rare Glazed Redware Pitcher with Profuse Three-Color Slip Decoration, Loy or Albright Families, Alamance County, NC origin, late 18th century. Provenance: Recently discovered in Virginia. H 10".

Beautiful Brushwork. Fine Four-Gallon Stoneware Jug with Elaborate Cobalt Floral Decoration, Stamped "M & T MILLER / NEWPORT, PA," circa 1870. A striking example of the Miller brothers' extravagant brushwork, exhibiting strong color and decorating the majority of the front of a large-sized jug.

Form and Size. Extremely Rare Miniature Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Gemel, Stamped Twice "NEW-HAVEN," Absalom Stedman or Stedman & Seymour, New Haven, CT, circa 1830. Provenance: Skinner, Inc., Personal Collection of Lewis Scranton, May 21, 2016, Lot 94. H 3 1/8".

Important Southern Honey Jar. Outstanding Glazed Redware Honey Jar with Profuse Manganese Cornstalk Decoration, TN origin, second or third quarter 19th century. Related in form to stoneware examples from Middle Tennessee, this jar features a decoration-in-the-round of delicately-brushed cornstalks emanating from a stylized ground. It ranks among the most imaginatively-decorated examples from the region that we have seen. Provenance: Previously found in a barn Northwest of Nashville, TN.

Size, Form, and Decoration. Monumental Ten-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Profuse Cobalt Clover, Chainlink, and Wheelbarrow Decorations, Baltimore, MD origin, circa 1840. Featuring an imposing size and unusual double-handled form, this jar is among the most heavily-decorated examples of Baltimore clover-decorated stoneware known. Putting this work in a class unto itself is the addition of wheelbarrow motifs flanking the plants, images which speak to the vessel’s use in an agrarian context on a Virginia farm. While the vessel’s exact purpose is unknown, its special size may relate it to the large "plantation jars" produced in alkaline-glazed ware further South. Provenance: Originally owned by the Coons Family, North Cliff Farm, Culpeper, VA; later owned by a Charlottesville, VA lady; Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates Auctions, Nov. 14, 2009, lot 20. H 19".

Southern Ship. Exceedingly Rare and Important One-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Elaborate Incised Ship Decoration, Stamped "J. SWANN / ALEXA," Alexandria, VA origin, circa 1820. Several accolades qualify this jar as one of the finest examples of Northern Virginia stoneware known, as well as one of the finest examples of Southern salt-glazed stoneware to come to auction in the past decade or more. It is the only signed example of Southern-made stoneware known featuring a decoration of a sailing ship, and one of only two pieces of Alexandria stoneware known with incised decoration. ( The second example is a highly-important water cooler made for merchant, J.W. Smith, at the pottery of Hugh Charles Smith, which bears various incised motifs and resides in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C.). The jar additionally bears one of the earliest impressed stamps found on Southern salt-glazed stoneware, that of Alexandria, Virginia potter, John Swann. As Swann's oeuvre is typified by dipped iron-oxide or generally-sparse brushed cobalt decorations, the design on this jar clearly defines this object as the potter's masterpiece. The jar's intricately-incised design may have been copied by the decorator from an image and was no doubt inspired by the harbor city's rich maritime history. Provenance: Discovered by the consignor in the basement of her grandmother’s Warren County, PA farmhouse. H 8 1/2".

Goodale Masterwork. Monumental Six-Gallon Stoneware Jug with Incised Federal Eagle and Floral Motifs, Stamped "D. GOODALE / HARTFORD," CT origin, circa 1825-1830. Featuring an outstanding incised design, imposing size, and sculptural double-handled form, this jug is among the finest examples of signed Daniel Goodale stoneware that we have seen. Provenance: A recently-surfaced example, acquired decades ago by the consignor. H 21".

Intricate Incising. Exceptional Small-Sized Stoneware Presentation Jug with Incised Bird Decoration, Impressed Four Times "S.P.D.," Utica, NY origin, probably George Brayton, Aaron Kellogg, and/or Sylvester Doolittle, circa 1827-1832. The initials, "S.P.D," may indicate this jug was made as a special piece for Sylvester Doolittle or another member of the Doolittle family. H 8 1/4".

Rare Redware Bowl with Profuse Slip Decoration, Dated "1834," New England origin, 1834. Provenance: Recently found in the North Shore area of MA. H 3" ; Diam. 11 3/8".

Crockery & Glass ware. Exceptional Albany-Slip-Glazed Stoneware Pig Flask, Inscribed "from / Manning & Co. Importers of / Crockery & Glass ware. Corner of / fourth and st. Charles Streets / St. Louis mo," Wallace and Cornwall Kirkpatrick, Anna, IL, circa 1871-1876. The firm of Manning & Co. came into existence in or about 1871 as a new partnership involving local china and queensware merchant Melville Malcolm Manning. We cannot find this firm operating beyond 1876, giving a fairly small window for the date of this pig's manufacture, and making it a particularly early map-decorated example by the Kirkpatricks. The reference to "Crockery" adds to the rarity and appeal of this work. L 8 1/2".

Pennsylvania Pig. Extremely Rare Tanware Pig Flask with Folky Albany and Kaolin Slip Decoration, attributed to the Hissong Pottery, Cassville, Huntingdon County, PA, circa 1885. The distinctive use of matte white slip decoration over Albany slip connects this work to a number of pieces produced by Elisha B. Hissong and his sons, Bruce and Russell, at their long-lived pottery in Cassville, PA. A tanware pitcher bearing the same half-white/half-brown dipped slip decoration along with Cassville-style floral decoration was sold by Crocker Farm in July 17, 2004 (lot 172). This form is considered exceedingly rare in the production of Pennsylvania tanware, with only one other example that we are aware of, an elaborately-decorated pig fashioned as a bank and produced in the Greensboro/New Geneva tradition. L 7 1/4".

Selection of Western PA Tanware, New Geneva or Greensboro, PA origin, circa 1885. (Huntingdon County pig also pictured.)

Rare Four-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Elaborate Cobalt Floral Decoration, Stamped "MORGANTOWN," Thompson Pottery, Morgantown, WV, circa 1860. The jar's reverse is impressed with a very rare Thompson Pottery maker's mark, which reads simply, "MORGANTOWN," along with a Thompson Pottery capacity mark above. A noteworthy example of the Thompson family's work, featuring a scarce and extravagant design related to early Western Pennsylvania motifs from Beaver and Greensboro, appealing molded handles, and an elusive maker's stamp. This jar is the first example that we have offered bearing this specific mark.

Scarce Two-Gallon Stoneware Jug with Cobalt Swan Decoration, Stamped "COWDEN & WILCOX / HARRISBURG, PA," circa 1865.

Important Early Maker's Mark. Exceedingly Rare One-Gallon Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Jug, Stamped "B. GREEN," Branch Green, probably Troy, NY, circa 1799-1803.

Green was among the most influential potters in the Northeastern U.S. during the first quarter of the 19th century, helping establish successful stoneware manufactories outside of the venerable Manhattan school. He left his potting footprint in a number of cities, working in Troy, NY; Old Bridge, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; and Wilmington, DE. He is most well-known for his coggle-decorated pieces bearing bird-and-leaf and fish-and-berry motifs, produced at his long-lived Philadelphia shop. This jug, bearing a different form and color than Green's Philadelphia products, was likely made at his earliest-documented potting site in Troy, NY. In a May 1799 issue of the Troy Northern Budget, Green appears advertising for two journeyman potters; in a February 1801 issue of the same publication, Green and a second potter, Rowland Clark, advertise again for pinewood, journeymen and apprentices, as superintendents of "Morgan & Smiths Stone Ware Factory, at the South-East Part of the Village of Troy." Despite later published information that the name "Morgan" refers to Green's later business partner in New Jersey, James Morgan, no evidence has been found to substantiate this claim. In November 1802, Branch Green appears again in the Troy Gazette under his own name, advertising for two journeyman potters, whose "work will be confined to turning stone ware." Green appears to have remained in Troy at least until May 1803, when he again advertised in the Gazette notifying the town that his wife had left him. The first reference to Green at a new location is a June 1805 advertisement for his involvement with the firm of James Morgan & Co. in Old Bridge, New Jersey. This jug is the first signed example of Branch Green stoneware that we have ever offered, and represents a highly important object in terms of Green's influence on the American stoneware craft as a whole, and the Albany area craft specifically.

African-American Ceramic Art. Rare Ten-Gallon Alkaline-Glazed Stoneware Jar, Incised "Lm / Decr 17. 1857 / Dave," Dave at Lewis Miles's Stoney Bluff Manufactory, Horse Creek Valley, Edgefield District, SC, 1857. Sporting a robust, wide-mouthed form and poured green alkaline glaze, this jar includes an unusual incised symbol beside the potter's name, resembling a half-moon, letter "D," reductive fish, or shackle. The reverse features two incised slash marks flanked by two groups of four punctates. A series of hastily-scrawled slashes also appear at the base on the jar's front. Surviving in excellent condition, this jar is among the finest examples of Dave stoneware that we have offered to date. H 16" ; Diam. (across top) 12 7/8".

Important Glaze. Exceptional Three-Gallon Alkaline-Glazed Stoneware Jug, Incised "Lm / June 10-1853," Dave at Lewis Miles' Stoney Bluff Manufactory, Horse Creek Valley, Edgefield District, SC, 1853. Among Dave's most brilliantly-glazed vessels known, this jug features heavy, bluish-white rutile runs to one side. While rutile-glazing was relatively common elsewhere in the American South, it is considered extremely rare in Dave's work, with only a few examples documented. A related 1853 jug (with restored handle) resides in the collection of the American Folk Art Museum, New York, NY. H 14 3/4".

Important Chandler Jar. Extremely Rare Seven-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Two-Color Slip Decoration, Stamped "CHANDLER MAKER," Thomas Chandler, Edgefield District, SC, circa 1845-1850. The iron-and-kaolin-slip decoration on the jar is more commonly found on earlier works by Chandler, made during his tenure at Phoenix Factory on Shaw's Creek and rarely seen by the time he began impressing ware with a "CHANDLER MAKER" stamp. This jar may be among the earliest pieces made by Chandler after the inception of this iconic Southern maker's mark. Literature: Illustrated in Burrison, Brothers in Clay, Color Plate 2. H 18 1/2".

Georgia Masterpiece. Outstanding Eight-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Bold "Paint Rock" Alkaline Glaze, attributed to James Long or John Becham, Crawford County, GA, circa 1840. Exceptional size and stunning striated glaze. Literature: Illustrated on back cover of Burrison, Brothers in Clay. H 17 3/4".

Signature Design. Extremely Rare Two-Gallon Stoneware Jug with Incised Deer and Fort Scene, Stamped "C. HART & SON / SHERBURNE," NY State origin, circa 1866-1885. This jug features extremely rare incised execution of a popular New York State animal motif, during a period when slip-trailing was the standard method of decorating. The elaborate detail of the scene, which includes a fence, stump, tree, and fort with large flag, is noteworthy. Literature: A related "C. HART & SON / SHERBURNE" jug depicting only a leaping stag is illustrated in Webster, Decorated Stoneware Pottery of North America, p. 125. The caption for the illustrated jug reads as follows, "What better a design for Charles Hart of Sherburne, New York, than an incised hart, that European cousin of the North American caribou. This neatly incised animal with the lines filled with blue, may have been intended as a standard design, but it is in fact one of very few examples of incised designs by this pottery, and by far the latest of any known incised designs dating after 1866. . . Collection of John Paul Remensnyder."

Earliest Mark. Very Rare Half-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Cobalt Floral Decoration, Stamped "B.C. MILBURN / ALEXANDRIA, D.C.," circa 1840. Few examples are known bearing Benedict C. Milburn's earliest impressed maker's mark. The stamp incorporates a full spelling of the city name, "Alexandria," followed by the initials, "D.C.," indicating its use prior to Alexandria's retrocession to the state of Virginia.

Rare One-Gallon Stoneware Jug with Cobalt Tulip Decoration, Dated 1863, Stamped "JOHN BELL / WAYNESBORO'," PA origin, 1863.

Slipware of Exceptional Size. Extremely Rare Miniature Redware Bowl with Three-Color Slip Decoration, attributed to Henry Adam, Hagerstown, MD, circa 1805-1819. Literature: For a related example, see Manger, Pottery from the Shenandoah and Cumberland Valleys, p. 13 and back cover. Diam. 3 1/2" ; H 3/4".

Rare Small-Sized Redware Bowl with Three-Color Slip Decoration, Hagerstown, MD, possibly Adam Family, early 19th century. The scalloped pattern on the bowl can be found on other examples attributed to the Adam family, made during their tenure in Hagerstown, MD and later in New Market, VA. H 2 1/8" ; Diam. 8 1/4".

Rare Large-Sized Redware Presentation Pipe Bowl with Applied Eagle's Talons, Incised "E.W.N. / June 21 / 1872 / C S," probably PA origin, 1872. L 4 1/2" ; Diam. (at top) 2 7/8" ; H 4 1/2".

Fine Redware Charger with Dramatic Copper Slip Decoration, PA origin, possibly Philadelphia, early 19th century. PROVENANCE: From the estate of the consignor's great aunt, who lived on Route 23 in rural Spring City, PA. The home had been built by the consignor's great-grandfather about 1880, and was occupied by the family until 1976. Diameter 13 1/2".

Very Rare Alkaline-Glazed Stoneware Face Jug, Stamped "O. Henry Pottery," Evan Javan Brown, Sr., Valdese, NC, circa 1937-1951. The "O. Henry Pottery" maker's mark was used by potter Evan Javan Brown, Sr. (1897-1980) at his Valdese, NC operation. The pottery was actually named after the pen name of North Carolina author, William Sydney Porter. The "O. Henry Pottery" stamp has been documented on only a small number of face jugs, making it among the rarest maker's marks to find on a face vessel by any member of the illustrious Brown family of potters. Literature: For a related example, see George H. Meyer and Kay White Meyer, Early American Face Jugs, Sandringham Press, Bloomfield Hills MI, 2019, p. 116. H 6 1/2".

Day & Ross. Outstanding Ten-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Elaborate Freehand Cobalt Decoration, Stamped "J. HAMILTON" and Incised "J. Hamilton" on Underside, Greensboro, PA origin, circa 1860. One of a few surviving pieces that were specially-made by James Hamilton for the firm of Day & Ross. Featuring a desirable large size, strong color, artistic brushwork, and the hand-incised signature of the potter himself, this jar as among the most important Greensboro, Pennsylvania stoneware objects to come to auction in recent years. Literature: For a related work, see Schaltenbrand, Stoneware of Southwestern Pennsylvania, p. 122. H 19 1/2".

Top-to-Bottom Brushwork. Outstanding Six-Gallon Stoneware Jar with Profuse Freehand Cobalt Decoration, Shinnston, WV origin, circa 1875. This jar is among the most heavily-decorated pieces from this potting tradition known. The distinctive style of vining verify a Shinnston, West Virginia attribution. H 16 1/2".

Rustic Art Pottery. Extremely Rare Salt-Glazed Stoneware Hanging Flowerpot, attributed to David Greenland Thompson, Morgantown, WV, circa 1885. Featuring a wheel-thrown form, painstakingly decorated with dozens of various molded pine cones, this highly-decorative work relates to America's burgeoning art pottery movement. Three applied clay loops on the interior rim, each also embellished with small pinecones, were applied to allow the flowerpot to be hung by a chain. An original drain hole is formed in the underside. Literature: For related works, see Duez and Horvath with Heindl, "The Stoneware Years of the Thompson Potters of Morgantown, West Virginia, 1854-1890," Ceramics in America 2011, fig. 59. According to this article, such objects were only made by David Greenland Thompson as gifts for family members and townspeople. H 8 1/2" ; Diam. 11 1/2".

Exceptional Six-Gallon Stoneware Crock with Profuse Cobalt Floral Decoration, Palatine, WV origin, circa 1875. H 14 1/8".

Very Rare Large-Sized Stoneware Canning Jar with Stenciled Cobalt Star Decoration, Stenciled "NESTORVILLE, W.VA. / POTTERY," circa 1880. H 10 7/8".

Exceptional Lidded Redware Jar with Sponged Manganese Decoration, Jar and Lid Stamped "I. BELL," John Bell, Waynesboro, PA, circa 1840. This elegantly-potted jar includes its original lid, both of which survive in excellent condition and bear an early-period John Bell maker's mark. H (including lid) 8 3/4".

Fine Glazed Redware Jar with Copper Slip Decoration, attributed to Nathaniel Seymour, West Hartford, CT, late 18th or early 19th century. H 8 1/4".

Among the Earliest Examples of Southern Advertising Stoneware. Extremely Rare Two-Gallon Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Jug with Petersburg, VA Advertising, Incised "Myrick & Murt / Pebg," attributed to Thomas Amoss, Henrico County, VA, circa 1820. The advertising clearly refers to a (probably short-lived) partnership involving Petersburg merchant, John Myrick, whose shop was located on Old Street, along with the as-yet-unidentified Mr. Murt.

Based on the jug's distinctive decoration and early-style form, it is attributed to Thomas Amoss, possibly while working at the Richard Randolph Stoneware Manufactory along Four Mile Creek in Henrico County, VA. As Amoss died in 1822, this object may be regarded as one of the earliest examples of advertising pottery produced by a Southern maker. A true document in clay, both aesthetically-appealing and historically significant, foretelling the rise of inscribed advertising on American stoneware as decades progressed.