An Important 19th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Inkstand that Will Sell this Morning in Pennsylvania

This morning, in Pennsylvania, a wonderful black-glazed nineteenth-century red earthenware inkstand, with an applied dog, incised with an inscription and a person's name, along with the year, '1855,' is scheduled to sell at Rowe's Auction Service in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The inkstand retains its original inkwell and sander. It was consigned from Pat Schofield, and her late husband, Tim Schofield, a local couple, who were known for their taste in antiques. The collection also includes a wide selection of folk art, nineteenth-century European ceramics, stoneware, dolls, quilts, fine art, furniture, early glass, weathervanes, trade signs and decoys.

Honestly, I am unable to make out the two inscriptions (back and base), which are found on the inkstand; however, the back appears like it is adorned with a German inscription along with the year, '1855' - and, the base has been inscribed with a person's name also with the year, '1855.' In my opinion, this is a very-important example of western Pennsylvania - or, more-likely, Ohio-made red earthenware that should be considered museum-quality today.

 19th Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Inkstand Possibly Made in Pennsylvania or Ohio

The Inkstand is Dated '1855'
Retains its Original Inkwell and Sander

A Similar Example is Owned by the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Pennsylvania

Pat and Tim Schofield Collection

Photo Courtesy: Rowe's Auction Service - Carlisle, PA

 Another View of the Inkstand

Photo Courtesy: Rowe's Auction Service - Carlisle, PA

 Another View of the Inkstand

Photo Courtesy: Rowe's Auction Service - Carlisle, PA

 View of the Inscription and the Date on the Back

Photo Courtesy: Rowe's Auction Service - Carlisle, PA

View of the Dog

Photo Courtesy: Rowe's Auction Service - Carlisle, PA 

View of the Name and the Date Incised on the Base

Photo Courtesy: Rowe's Auction Service - Carlisle, PA

The reason I suggest that this inkstand was possibly made in Ohio is the result of a related example that is owned by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, that is attributed, by the museum, as a mid-nineteenth-century black-glazed product manufactured in Ohio. It should be important, to note, that the museum's example does not carry any kind of inscription or date, like does, the example that is offered to the highest bidder this morning in Pennsylvania. 

A simple comparison, between the museum's object and the inkstand that is available in Pennsylvania today - reveals, similar overall forms, similar glazes, similar applied dogs; similar inkwells and similar sanders; although, the inkstand offered today is actually a little more detailed in the overall form of the object.

19th-Century Black-Glazed Red Earthenware Inkstand Attributed to Ohio

Circa Mid-1800's

Stands 4 7/8" Tall

Measures 7 3/4" Long

Photo Courtesy: Philadelphia Museum of Art - Philadelphia, PA

However, I don't think the example of discussion, should be considered, without also mentioning the following inkwell stand that was reportedly made across the Ohio-Pennsylvania border in western Pennsylvania in the early-1840's. This object sold for $9,200 in 2010 at Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland. 

According to the auction house, "This exceedingly rare and important western Pennsylvania redware inkstand is decorated with an applied dog - and, the base is incised, 'Henry Grady / 1843.' The top of the stand is ornamented with a hand-modeled figure of a standing dog with an applied clay coleslaw coat (fur) and an upturned tail. The original wheel-thrown inkwell and sander fit into the stand. The stand rests on four hand-modeled feet with carved toes, designed to resemble lion's paws. The underside is incised 'Henry Grady / 1843,' referring to the Prussian immigrant potter, active in  Shanksville, Pennsylvania during the mid-to-late-nineteenth-century. This is a highly decorative (and, equally important) example of Pennsylvania folk art."

 19th Century Red Earthenware Inkstand with Dog Finial - Western Pennsylvania

Base Incised 'Henry Grady / 1843' - Shanksville, PA

Stands 4 1/4" Tall

Measures 6 1/4" Long

Sold for $9,200 in 2010

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD 

 View of the Back of the Inkstand

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD 

View of the Dog Finial

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD 

View of the Inscription 'Henry Grady / 1843'

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD 

Unfortunately, I don't know, if I will be able to write a follow-up report for what the inkstand sells for today mainly because the auction is not available online and results from the sale may be difficult to acquire unless I can get that directly from the auctioneer. I will have to wait and see what happens.

Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...