An Outstanding 19th Century Virginia Stoneware Pitcher from the Collection of Marshall Goodman Jr.

Today marks day-two of the Marshall Goodman Jr. sale at Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates in Mount Crawford, Virginia, whereas there is a very good selection of stoneware and red earthenware; overall though, the prices for Virginia-made stoneware have been especially strong. Although, the highlight of the stoneware was this previously published and exhibited large nineteenth century stoneware pitcher made by Henry Lowndes (active 1811 to d. 1842) in Petersburg, Virginia, circa 1835-1840, standing just under twelve inches tall.

Furthermore, the pitcher is manufactured in an English style with a number of molded and applied decorations, which include sixteen stars and a spread-wing eagle below the spout perched to the top of an ovoid medallion that is stamped "H-LOWNDES / MANUFACTOR / PETRSBURG / V-A."

According to the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts in North Carolina, "By 1806 Thomas Lowndes began producing salt-glazed stoneware in Petersburg.  He and his family had emigrated from Staffordshire, England in 1805, bringing with them a considerable repertoire of pottery skills.  Unfortunately, very little evidence of Lowndes’ early production has been found.  Much better known are the products of his son, Henry, who took over the operation of the pottery after his father’s death in 1811.  Period newspaper accounts suggest that the Lowndes Pottery produced both earthenware and stoneware, although no surviving examples of the former have been identified.  Much of what is known about the Lowndes stoneware comes from the survival of signed works and the uniquely identifiable brushed cobalt botanical motifs thought to represent the cotton plant."

Interestingly, the molded eagle found on this pitcher is also present on some other stoneware manufactured by Henry Lowndes, such as a water cooler owned by MESDA, as well as another water cooler displayed at the Art Museums at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.

Nonetheless, this pitcher sold today for $130,000 plus the buyer's premium.

 An Outstanding 19th Century Virginia Stoneware Pitcher

19th Century Stoneware Pitcher Manufactured in an English Style

Made by Henry Lowndes (d. 1842) in Petersburg, Virginia

Marked "H-LOWNDES / MANUFACTOR / PETRSBURG / V-A."

Decorated with 16 Molded and Applied Stars

Also Decorated with a Molded and Applied Eagle

Circa 1835-1840

Stands 11 3/4" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates 

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