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 a wonderful painted red earthenware ewer last 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.
It should also 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."
Interestingly, I just acquired a nineteenth century red earthenware vase with applied decoration that was recently discovered in Western New York, which appears to have been manufactured by the same potter as was the ewer that I wrote about last fall. This interpretation is based upon the applied roses, leaves and stems that are basically an identical match to those applied on the ewer. Although, it should also be noted that this vase is decorated with the same blueish-gray paint that adorns the ewer, but a previous owner painted over the blue-gray color with a black paint. But the paint on the roses, leaves and stems appears to be original.
Red Earthenware Vase Recently Discovered in Western New York
(Left) 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
See Article for More Information
19th Century Red Earthenware Vased
Likely Made in the Shenandoah Valley Region
Recently Discovered in Upstate New York
Circa 1880s
Stands 6 7/8" Tall
See Article for More Information
Likely Made in the Shenandoah Valley Region
Recently Discovered in Upstate New York
Circa 1880s
Stands 6 7/8" Tall
See Article for More Information
Another View of the Applied Rose, Leaf and Stem Decoration
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View of the Base
The Original Blue-Gray Paint Can Be Seen Around the Edges
See Article for More Information
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
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