Two Good Examples of 19th Century Edgefield Stoneware that Sold Yesterday in Pendleton, South Carolina

Two good examples of nineteenth century stoneware made in Edgefield, South Carolina before the American Civil War sold yesterday at an onsite sale in Pendleton, South Carolina that was hosted by Bid Y'All Auction & Realty. The pottery was included as part of a larger selection of antiques that came from a dealer's personal collection that had been assembled over the past sixty or so years.

The highest priced piece of pottery was a very good example of slip decorated stoneware made at Thomas Chandler's (1810-1854) Factory in Edgefield, circa 1840s-1850s; the double-handled jar was decorated with Chandler's classic slip design, and although it was unmarked, the jar sold for $10,7000 plus the auction premium. 

Interestingly, it was another object that actually caught my interest the most, which was a large nineteenth century stoneware jug attributed to the enslaved potter Dave Drake in Edgefield, which was most likely made before 1850. This jug was marked with an inscribed "X" and "Y," whereas I found a jug a few years ago from Edgefield in a group shop in Cambridge, Massachusetts with this same placement of an inscribed "X." That jug was thought to have been made circa 1820s-1830s. Nonetheless, this jug also had five punch marks near the handle - it sold for $2,750 plus the buyer's premium.

For more information about Thomas Chandler and Dave Drake - see a story I wrote for the October 4, 2019 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled, Thomas Chandler's Pottery Production: McKissick Museum Of The University Of South Carolina Holds Innovative Exhibition - http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2019/10/thomas-chandler-story-in-oct-4-2019.html.

Also see two posts that I shared on this website about the Edgefield exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, titled, Hear Me Now: The Black Potters of Old Edgefield, South Carolina.

MET Exhibit: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2022/12/now-on-display-at-met-in-new-york-city.html

MFA, Boston Exhibit: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2023/03/now-on-display-at-mfa-boston-hear-me.html

Two Good Examples of 19th Century Edgefield Stoneware

19th Century Stoneware Jar with Slip Decoration

Attributed to Thomas Chandler's Factory in Edgefield, South Carolina

Circa 1840s-1850s

Stands 15" Tall

See Above for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Bid Y'All Auction & Realty

19th Century Stoneware Jug

Attributed to Dave Drake in Edgefield, South Carolina

Marked with an Inscribed "X"and a "Y"

Also Had Five Punch Marks Near the Handle

Most Likely Made Before 1850

Stands 17" Tall

See Above for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Bid Y'All Auction & Realty

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