A Rare Signed Object that was Made in West Sterling, Massachusetts

According to the book, 'Fireworks: New England Art Pottery of the Arts and Crafts Movement,' "William J. Walley was born in Ohio in 1852. When his father died, the family moved to England where, at the age of ten, Walley began working at the Minton Ceramics Factory. After eleven-years of grueling work, from 1862-1863, he was well-trained in all aspects of working a pottery. 

At twenty-one years of age, Walley returned to the United States and worked for a pottery in Maine. After a short stay he moved down to Worcester, Massachusetts, to work at the F.B. Norton Pottery Company, which began in 1858. The Norton Company was famous for its stoneware salt-glazed jugs. They also produced some stoneware items in natural forms such as umbrella stands in the forms of tree trunks. It is believed Walley influenced the creation of these objects. Walley was dissatisfied for financial reasons and had to leave the company.

Walley then purchased an old pottery (before 1890) that was formerly the Wachusett Pottery in West Sterling, Massachusetts. He unearthed his own red clay from a hillside behind the pottery then designed, modeled, fired, and sold his pottery by himself. 

Walley exhibited his pottery at the Boston Society of Arts and Crafts in 1907 and was given the title of Master Craftsman between 1908 and 1918.

Walley's ambitions and talents were not utilized solely for the purpose of a successful pottery operation. In 1913, he taught pottery making to patients at Worcester State Hospital in a craft program titled 'Industrial Therapeutics.' This form of therapy was created by the founder of the Marblehead (Massachusetts) Pottery, Dr. Herberet J. Hall.

Walley's pottery was the clear embodiment of the Arts and Crafts spirit. His glazes reflected the beauty of the fall leaves around his studio in Sterling, Massachusetts. His most intriguing works incorporated small elf-like figures sitting on handles or incorporated into the body of the vessel. Since Walley was a one-man operation, his works are relatively scarce, especially outside the New England area. Walley was certainly familiar with the work of Hugh Robertson (Chelsea, Mass. Keramic Arts Works & Dedham, Mass. Pottery) and seemed to be able to master any glaze or form. He may have been inspired by the forms published in Keramic Studio or other potteries that exhibited at the Boston Society of Arts and Crafts. This could explain some of the architectural forms that had little to do with his natural surroundings. Walley's fine glazes on classical forms represent some of the finest works of the art pottery movement in America. William J. Walley's career ended upon his death in December 1917."

This is a rare example of William J. Walley's signed work from West Sterling, Massachusetts, which may represent a transition piece from the manufacture of utilitarian pottery to the production of wares that were intended for decoration and flowers. Interestingly, the base is hand inscribed with Walley's initials, 'W.J.W.'

A number of Walley's decorative products from the early-twentieth-century are stamped with Walley's mark, 'W.J.W.,' however, I have never before seen a product that he actually hand-inscribed. This is why I suggest that this may be an early piece from when Walley first acquired the West Sterling pottery.

All of the exterior decoration was hand-modeled; this object is actually one of the most detailed products that I have seen from Walley. The combination of the glaze colors mixed with the hand-applied leaves is quite attractive.

Note: Marked red earthenware from the nineteenth-century central Massachusetts potter's industry is quite rare today; although, here are a few articles, where I show some marked products, which are known today from this somewhat overlooked potter's industry.

1) Abner S. Wight - West Sterling, Mass.

2) East Brookfield, Mass.

3) East Brookfield, Mass. Part 2

Rare Signed Object from West Sterling, Mass.

19th Century Red Earthenware Bowl 

Made by William J. Walley in West Sterling, Mass.

The Base is Hand-Inscribed with Walley's Initials

Circa 1880's to 1890's

Stands 3 1/8" Tall

Measures 8 5/8" in Diameter

View of the Exterior Decoration

Another View of the Exterior Decoration

Another View of the Exterior Decoration

Another View of the Exterior Decoration, as-well-as a View of the Base

View of the Base

View of the Inscription, 'W.J.W.'

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