Born in Hagerstown, Maryland, John Bell learned the potter's trade from his father Peter Bell (1775-1847), and he later emerged as one of America's preeminent red earthenware and stoneware potters in the nineteenth century. In many ways, his techniques and innovative glazes are among the best produced during the period; many scholars even refer to much of Bell's red earthenware production as the best in America.
Upon Bell's death in 1880, his son John W. Bell (1828-1895), who worked for his father for many years, gained ownership of the pottery, and operated the Waynesboro business from 1881 until his death in 1895. Mary Elizabeth, John W.'s sister was employed during her brother's management as a decorator and also signed pieces, although there are very few known to exist today.
In 1929, authors Alvin H. Rice and John Baer Stoudt published The Shenandoah Pottery, which is a book that is still regularly cited and referenced today; illustrated on page 39 is a large skillfully made painted red earthenware vase decorated with applied roses, leaves, stems and grapes. A similar decorated object was sold in October 2016 at Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland, where the quality and style of applied roses, leaves and stems appeared like they could be related to the vase published in 1929.
It should also be noted that roses were a style of applied production found with some Mid-Atlantic potters in the late-nineteenth century; however, the majority of these decorative styles are largely different than what was published by Rice and Stoudt and attributed to Mary Elizabeth Bell.
Nevertheless, I acquired this wonderful painted red earthenware ewer this past winter from Sagamore, Massachusetts antiques dealer Brian Cullity. He said he found it decades ago in the Mid-Atlantic Region, and he felt it could have been decorated by Mary Elizabeth Bell. In fact, the style of the roses, leaves and stems very closely relate to the style published about her production. However, the vase is also dated in pencil on the base "1888," which is from the period when she is known to have been employed with her brother John W. Bell.
Note: It should be taken into consideration that the round belly and long neck found on the ewer also resemble the vase attributed to Mary Elizabeth Bell by Rice and Stoudt in The Shenandoah Pottery.
Wonderful Red Earthenware Ewer with Applied Decoration
19th Century Red Earthenware Ewer
Applied Rose, Leaf and Stem Decoration Closely Resemble Production from Mary Elizabeth Bell
Found Decades Ago in the Mid-Atlantic Region
Dated in Pencil on the Base "1888"
Stands 11 14" Tall
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View of the Handle
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Dated in Pencil on the Base "1888"
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Vase Attributed to Mary Elizabeth Bell in the Book The Shenandoah Pottery
19th Century Red Earthenware Vase with Applied Floral and Grape Decoration
Made by Mary Elizabeth Bell in Waynesboro, PA
Circa 1881-1895
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