Very Rare and Important Oversized Burlon B. Craig (Vale, NC) Face Jug

Fall 2023 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 361

Price Realized: $2,400.00

($2,000 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.

Fall 2023 Auction Catalog

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Very Rare and Important Oversized Stoneware Face Jug with Alkaline Glaze, Stamped "B.B. CRAIG / VALE, N.C.," early fourth quarter 20th century, ovoid jug with flared spout and two rounded handles applied at the shoulder, decorated with a hand-modeled and applied clay face featuring bulging eyes with conjoined eyebrows, curved ears, nose with pierced nostrils, and smiling mouth with china teeth. Surface covered in a mottled gray-green alkaline glaze. Underside impressed with Burlon Craig maker's mark. Measuring approximately eight gallons in capacity and standing an astounding 23 1/4" tall, this monumental work is the largest B.B. Craig face jug that we have seen and one of this celebrated folk potter's most outstanding creations. Provenance: Carl and Marian Mullis Collection; Southern Folk Pottery Collectors Society, 2014. Excellent, essentially as-made condition with some in-the-firing crawling to the glaze and a short in-the-firing separation to the underside of one handle. H 23 1/4".

Special Note: Due to this object's large size, we are unable to ship it using our normal in-house shipping service. It must either be picked up by the high bidder, or special arrangements must be made by the high bidder for pick up and / or shipping by a third party. If you have any questions, please contact us; we are certainly able to recommend options for third party shippers ahead of time that you can contact for a quote.