Excellent John Bell Red Earthenware Jar from Waynesboro, Pennsylvania that Just Sold at Crocker Farm in Maryland

Last fall, I visited the Renfrew Museum in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania in order to see the museum's collection of locally-made pottery, mostly objects made by the Bell family in the Shenandoah Valley, especially the wares made at John Bell's business in Waynesboro. Soon after, I posted a story about the trip on this website, and later wrote a feature story about the museum's collection, which was published in the December 7, 2018 issue of Antiques & Auction News.

Born in Hagerstown, Maryland, John Bell (1800-1880) 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 Waynesboro once his pottery opened in 1833. While there he and his wife Elizabeth had nine children several of whom joined the family business. 

In many ways, Bell's 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. The business eventually caught fire and burned in 1899. The Bell pottery in Waynesboro ended production all-together in 1908.

The Renfrew Museum's collection is truly remarkable, exhibiting hundreds of examples of pottery, along with a large collection of molds, which were used to produce many of the wares that are so recognizable from this business today.

Although, the museum also owns some of the most incredible red earthenware objects manufactured in this country in the 1800s, such as a pair of polychrome decorated red earthenware lions and another lion made by John Bell's brother, Solomon Bell in Strasburg, Virginia, a dated and signed tin-glazed red earthenware jar inscribed "APRIL 22, 1833 / WAYNESBORO," a group of objects made for the Snow Hill Society in nearby Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and a phenomenal red earthenware water cooler.

However, this fantastic small red earthenware jar with sponged copper and manganese decoration could easily fit in with any of the best wares made by the Bell family at the Renfrew Museum. I cannot recall seeing another object like this in any museum or private collection that I have visited.

This jar sold over the weekend at Crocker Farm's 15th Anniversary Sale in Sparks, Maryland. I consider this to be one of the finest examples of Bell's utilitarian red earthenware production in existence today, and also one of the more expensive pieces made by John Bell to sell at auction, bringing more than $22,000, including the buyer's premium. This incredible jar is impressed "J. BELL," and measures only 4 1/4" tall.

Excellent John Bell Red Earthenware Jar

 19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Made by John Bell in Waynesboro, PA

Marked "J. BELL"

Circa 1840

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm

Another View of the Jar

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm

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