19th Century Green Glazed Red Earthenware Pot from the John Bell Pottery Sells at Horst Auctions in Pennsylvania

Among the most accomplished glaze colors manufactured at the John Bell (1800-1880) Pottery in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania in the 1800s are the greens, which unquestionably rival any green glaze manufactured in America or Canada in the nineteenth century. The color green really is a special glaze to find on early pottery today.

In fact, of all the forms made at the Bell Pottery, it is the green glazed flowerpots that are included with the company's best known forms today, although there were other green glazed shapes manufactured, as well. It should also be taken into consideration that like the green glazes manufactured elsewhere in America, some of the greens produced in Waynesboro are much more vibrant than others, which is sometimes a result of how they were fired in the kiln. 

For instance, my new book, A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod discusses green glazes in the beginning - I explain how this color was not a monopoly for any business, and among the objects illustrated is what I consider to be one of the most vibrant green glazed red earthenware flowerpots known from the Bell Pottery today. This flowerpot is shown beside other accomplished green glazes from Chicago, Ontario, Portland, Maine, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, along with other areas.

Nevertheless, this good green glazed circa 1840 red earthenware handled pot stamped "J. BELL" sold over the weekend at Horst Auction in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. The piece sold for $2,600.

For more information about the John Bell Pottery, I suggest a three-page story I wrote for the December 7, 2018 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled, The Bell Pottery Collection At The Renfrew Museum In Waynesboro, Pa.

1) John Bell Story Page 1

2) John Bell Story Page 2

3) John Bell Story Page 3

19th Century Green Glazed Red Earthenware Pot from the John Bell Pottery

19th Century Green Glazed Red Earthenware Handled Pot

Made at the John Bell Pottery in Waynesboro, PA

Stamped "J. BELL"

Circa 1840

Stands 6 3/4" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Horst Auction

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