An Outstanding Nineteenth Century Red Earthenware Figure of a Lion

Over the weekend, I visited New York City with my niece Alexis, and among our stops was the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan. We went to the museum Saturday afternoon, with timed tickets that we purchased the day before, although, we also brought along this terrific nineteenth century red earthenware figure of a lion that is attributed to John Bell (1800-1880) in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. 

We photographed the lion on the steps in front of the museum, largely knowing that inside the museum we would see two famed lions also made by Bell in Waynesboro, which were recently acquired from the Robert A. Ellison Jr. Collection in Manhattan. The facial expression and features found on this lion's face are similar to some known lions made by Bell, as well as others from the Bell family in the Shenandoah Valley, such as examples owned by the Renfrew Museum and Park in Waynesboro. The glazed base is also indicative of many examples of red earthenware manufactured in Waynesboro in the 1800s.

Aside from the figure and the form, I think the glaze on this object is also great, mostly revealing a green glaze, but there are traces of other colors, as well, including black and brown, along with variations in the green.

An Outstanding Nineteenth Century Red Earthenware Figure of a Lion

My Niece Alexis Outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan

She's Holding an Outstanding Red Earthenware Figure of a Lion

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19th Century Red Earthenware Figure of a Lion

Attributed to John Bell (1800-1880) in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

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Another View of the Lion

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View of the Base

This Type of Glazed Base is Indicative of a Lot Pottery Made in Waynesboro, PA

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