However, moments ago, Miller & Miller Auctions concluded the John Wine Collection aspect of its Canadiana, pottery and folk art sale in New Hamburg, Ontario. The sale included an outstanding selection of locally made earthenware, red earthenware and stoneware, some of which I consider to be among the finest examples of Canadian pottery sold at auction in years.
Overall, there were more than 200 lots of ceramics made anywhere from Canada to America, Europe and likely other countries, as well. But the bulk of the collection consisted of pottery made in Ontario. And considering there was so much to see, I decided to focus on the rarer forms and more desirable manufacturers. In fact, a lot of the forms I have seen from Ontario potters before, although some of the more common forms in this sale, like jars and jugs were decorated in spectacular glazes, which really set them apart from the more typical styles found in the Canadian and American marketplace. There was also a great selection of flowerpots, including tree trunk formed planters made in Ontario.
Some of the better known potters represented in the sale were Adam Biernstihl, Simon Thomas Humberstone, William Eby, Ignatz Bitschy and Joseph Wagner. Some of the businesses included the Brownscombe Pottery, the Huron Pottery, the Owen Sound Pottery, the Prince Edward Island Pottery and merchant pieces from Toronto.
Although, stylistically, I thought the rarest piece of pottery was a nineteenth century red earthenware puzzle jug likely from Ontario decorated with a beautiful glaze, and inscribed in sgraffito, "F * W / From Mother Earth I Claim my Birth / I'm Made a Joke for Man / But Now I'm Here Fill'd With Good Cheer Come / Taste Me If You Can." The reason why I felt this was the rarest piece of pottery in the sale is because so little sgraffito is known from Ontario today, which is surprising considering the amount of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia based potters, who migrated to this section of Canada in the nineteenth century.
There was also a colorfully glazed red earthenware inkwell in the sale attributed to Ontario, which I have no doubt was made in Ontario. But the same style of inkwell is also said to have been made at the John Corliss Pottery in Days Ferry, Woolwich, Maine based on one that was found years ago in Maine. This just shows how Canadian pottery has traveled through the years, and can be attributed to potters in New England just because of the glaze color.
Admittedly, though I tried to buy some of the lots today since some of the examples that sold were really spectacular, although I underbid three of the better objects that I had hoped to add to my collection and I bid competitively on others. But I was also the lucky bidder on one of the good lots, as well. Nevertheless, I believe the objects that I posted are among the major pottery highlights of the sale, and not entirely for value, either, but because of form and rarity, as well as the desirability among collectors and museums for certain manufacturers.
For those of you who did not preview the sale online or in-person, the catalog can be found listed on LiveAuctioneers, among possibly other online platforms. A printed catalog is also available, which is an excellence reference for any library, collector and ceramic historian.
Some of the Pottery that Sold Today at Miller & Miller Auctions in Ontario
Lot No. 72
19th Century Slip-Decorated Earthenware Bowl
Attributed to the Adam Biernstihl Pottery in Bridgeport, Ontario
Circa 1867-1900
Measures 11 1/2" in Diameter
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.
View of the Interior
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.
View of the Base
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.
Lot No. 116
19th Century Red Earthenware Flask Likely Made in Ontario
Form is Similar to Stoneware Flasks
Stands 5 1/4" Tall
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.
Lot No. 121
19th Century Ontario Red Earthenware Water Feeder with Applied Decoration
Inscribed "Mrs. Pag(e?) Mountsburge, Ontario
Stands 24" Tall
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.
Lot No. 122
Large 19th Century Earthenware Mug Attributed to Ontario
A Similar but Smaller Mug Sold a few Years Ago in New Hampshire
Stands 10 1/2" Tall
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.
Lot No. 238
19th Century Red Earthenware Whimsical Frog Attributed to Ontario
Similar Example Found in the Jordan, Ontario Museum
Measures 2 3/4" Long
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.
Lot No. 243
19th Century Red Earthenware Puzzle Jug Likely Made in Ontario
Inscribed "F * W / From Mother Earth I Claim my Birth / I'm Made a Joke for Man / But Now I'm Here Fill'd With Good Cheer Come / Taste Me If You Can."
Stands 6 1/2" Tall
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.
View of the Inscription
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.
Lot No. 310
19th Century Earthenware Vase Attributed to Waterloo County, Ontario
Stands 9 1/4" Tall
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.
Lot No. 312
19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to Waterloo County, Ontario
Stands 9" Tall
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.
Lot No. 316
19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Signed "Jos Wagner, Maker, Berlin, Ont"
Stands 8 1/2" Tall
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.
Lot No. 388
19th Century Earthenware Jar with Excellent Glaze
Attributed to Simon Thomas Humberstone in North York, Ontario
Stands 10" Tall
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.
Lot No. 448
19th Century Rockingham Glazed Picture Frames
Possibly Made at the Brantford Pottery
Circa 1849-1907
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.
Lot No. 525
19th Century Red Earthenware Plate
Attributed to William Eby Pottery in Conestogo, Ontario
Circa 1855-1907
Measures 10" in Diameter
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.
Lot No. 526
19th Century Red Earthenware Jug
Attributed to William Eby Pottery in Conestogo, Ontario
Circa 1855-1907
Stands 3 1/4" Tall
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.
Lot No. 527
19th Century Red Earthenware Cup
Attributed to William Eby Pottery in Conestogo, Ontario
Circa 1855-1907
Stands 2 1/4" Tall
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.
Lot No. 528
19th Century Red Earthenware Cup & Saucer
Attributed to William Eby Pottery in Conestogo, Ontario
Circa 1855-1907
Cup Stands 3 1/4" Tall
Saucer Measures 4 3/4" in Diameter
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.
Lot No. 549
19th Century Red Earthenware Jar Attributed to Ontario
Marked on the Front "J.C. Beer"
Stands 7 1/4" Tall
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.
View of the Mark "J.C. Beer"
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
2 comments:
Thank you for your informative Blog. When one can't attend the auction in person due to mobility issues it is nice to get a written review and to see the market for high end antiques is alive and well.
Thank you, Barbara!
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