Two Good Examples of Virginia Pottery That Sold Yesterday in Elkton, Virginia

Thanks to Benny Kreiner for letting me know about this sale, whereas two good examples of nineteenth century pottery made in Virginia sold yesterday at a packed auction held by auctioneer Mike Painter from the estate of Larry Baugher in Elkton, Virginia. The first object brought $6,250 and it was a stoneware crock inscribed "Plum" that was made by Andrew Coffman in Rockingham County, Virginia. According to a book written by Jeffrey S. Evans and Scott Hamilton Suter, A Great Deal of Stone & Earthen Ware: "The story of Rockingham County begins with Andrew Coffman, a potter born in New Market, Shenandoah County, Virginia, in 1795. Although not a documented fact, it is likely that Coffman and his brother John learned the craft of pottery production from Jacob and Christian Adam, potters who had relocated to New Market from Hagerstown, Maryland, around 1810. Coffman moved into Rockingham County in the 1820s, when he set to work at the pottery of John Zigler in Timberville, a few miles west of New Market. An entrepreneur, but not a potter, Zigler had built a shop and kiln on his riverside property to supplement the earnings of his tannery. Coffman eventually left Timberville, moving to the Swift Run/Beldor area of eastern Rockingham County, at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Andrew Coffman's move to Timberville may have marked the beginning of the county's pottery production on a large scale." Many family members eventually followed in Andrew Coffman's footsteps entering the potter's business. He also influenced other potter's that would later follow in the Rockingham County potter's industry.

Also according to Evans and Suter, "this kind of salt-glazed stoneware jar represents a form that originated with Andrew Coffman." 

The second object was a red earthenware crock, inscribed "S.P. Shiflett," which sold for $3,500.

Virginia Pottery That Sold Yesterday in Elkton, Virginia

The Auction Yesterday in Elkton, Virginia

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Photo Courtesy: Benny Kreiner

(Left) 19th Century Cobalt Decorated Stoneware Crock Inscribed "Plum"

Made by Andrew Coffman in Rockingham County, Virginia

Sold for $6,250

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Photo Courtesy: Mike Painter Auctions and Jan Hensley

(Right) 19th Century Red Earthenware Crock Inscribed "S.P. Shiflett"

Sold for $3,500

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Photo Courtesy: Mike Painter Auctions and Jan Hensley

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