Monday, December 19, 2022

Two Nineteenth Century Jars Made at the John Bell Pottery in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

These are two nineteenth century red decorated with the same yellow glaze and retaining their original lids that were made at the John Bell (1800-1880) Pottery in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, circa 1850-1880. Both are impressed “JOHN BELL.” 

The jar shown to the right was recently found in an estate in Camden, Maine, while the other was found years ago in Pennsylvania. Furthermore, the jar shown to the left was likely never made with a pottery lid, and instead it would have had a tin lid such as this example.

Nevertheless, I had wondered if this was a version of Bell's celedon glazed stoneware, although I cannot tell for sure what type of clay that these jars are made from, seeing that there is no glaze exposed. But one of the jars retains remains of stilt marks to the base, whereas those remains are from red earthenware, which is why I suspect that these jars are made from the same clay.

Celadon-glazed stoneware was first developed by potters in ancient China, and this was likely Bell's source of inspiration for his celadon glaze. Chinese pottery forms and glazes inspired many American potters in the nineteenth and twentieth century.

For more information -- see an article I wrote for Antiques & Auction News in 2018, titled, The Bell Pottery Collection At The Renfrew Museum In Waynesboro, Pa.

Two Nineteenth Century Jars Made at the John Bell Pottery in Waynesboro, PA

My Dog Jack with the Jars
See Article for More Information
19th Century Jars Made at the John Bell Pottery in Waynesboro, PA
Each Jar is Impressed "JOHN BELL"
Circa 1850-1880
Both Jars also Appear to Retain Their Original Lids
The Jar Shown to the Left was Found Years Ago in Pennsylvania
The Jar Shown to the Right was Recently Found in an Estate in Camden, Maine
See Article for More Information
A View of the Lids
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A View of the Jars Without Their Lids
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A View of the John Bell Mark
The Mark Has Been Partially Infilled with Glaze
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A View of the Other John Bell Mark
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Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...

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