A Wonderful 19th Century Sgraffito Flowerpot Attributed to Samuel Troxel in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

I think it should be considered significant today anytime an example of eighteenth or nineteenth century glazed earthenware with sgraffito decoration from Pennsylvania comes to market. While there were some condition issues in a flowerpot attributed to Samuel Troxel (1803-1870) in Upper Hanover Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, it did not defer bidders from bidding aggressively for this prized object last weekend at Conestoga Auctions in Manheim, Pennsylvania. In fact, considering its purpose, a flowerpot of this age and size, with sgraffito decoration is extremely rare to find today.

Troxel's skilled sgraffito production is represented in many museums, including a plate in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, four dishes in Winterthur's collection in Delaware and a few objects in storage at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. But to my knowledge, there is only one other surviving flowerpot known from Troxel, which happens to be a signed piece of similar size and decoration in the Pennsylvania German Collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, inscribed  on the base, "Samuel Troxel, 1828."

I also believe it's largely thanks to the signed flowerpot in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art that an accurate attribution was developed for the flowerpot that sold last weekend at Conestoga Auctions. Furthermore, both pots exhibit English and German inscriptions around rim; in part the object owned by the Philadelphia Museum of Art reads, "Michael Cole Bought of Samuel Troxel..."

According to Conestoga Auctions, "This flowerpot is inscribed on the upper rim, Jonas Boyer January 2th, 1830, with German script, much of which is missing due to damage - and incised on the bottom, Jonas Boyer January the 10th 1830. There is also an illegible inscription believed to be Troxel's name."

Nonetheless, these are exceptional examples of Pennsylvania German sgraffito wares, a style of decoration hardly found on flowerpots today.

Samuel Troxel Flowerpot in the Collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art

19th Century Glazed Earthenware Sgraffito Flowerpot

Made by Samuel Troxel in Upper Hanover Township in Montgomery County, PA

Circa 1828

Stands Around 11" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Philadelphia Museum of Art

View of the Inscription of the Base

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Philadelphia Museum of Art

 Samuel Troxel Attributed Flowerpot, Upper Hanover Township, PA

 19th Century Glazed Earthenware Sgraffito Flowerpot

Attributed to Samuel Troxel in Upper Hanover Township in Montgomery County, PA

Circa 1830

Stands 11 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Conestoga Auctions

 View of the Interior

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Conestoga Auctions

View of the Base

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Conestoga Auctions

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