A Good 19th Century Edgefield, South Carolina Stoneware Pitcher and Jug that Sold Today at Cagle Auction Company in Georgia

This nineteenth century stoneware pitcher from Edgefield, South Carolina sold yesterday at Cagle Auction Company in Bogart, Georgia. The pitcher was most likely manufactured by an unknown potter and probably dates from the circa 1820s-1830s period with a stamped "1" or "I"; it was recently found in the Gibson family's estate in Athens, Georgia. The pitcher sold to Ceramics in America editor Rob Hunter for $6,500 plus the buyer's premium. I believe this pitcher is now heading to the William C. and Susan S. Mariner Gallery at the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Furthermore, the auction also included a very good nineteenth century stoneware jug with some rutile decoration that was reportedly made in the shop of Reuben Drake in Edgefield. According to an article written by Corbett Toussaint for the Journal of Southern Decorative Arts, titled, Edgefield District Stoneware: The Potter's Legacy, "By 1830, Pottersville was owned by the brothers Harvey and Reuben Drake. The Drakes, who purchased the Pottersville factory in 1828, were the nephews of the Landrums (well-known factory owners in Edgefield)." The jug sold for $4,400 plus the buyer's premium.

Note: The sale also featured a number of other examples of southern and Edgefield pottery, some of which was attributed to the enslaved African-American potter Dave Drake - here is a link to the auction catalog: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/321980_southern-pottery-and-folk-art-auction/.

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

Also see the articles that I posted to this website about the exhibit, Hear Me Now: The Black Potters of Old Edgefield, South Carolina that was recently displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

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

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

19th Century Edgefield, South Carolina Stoneware Pitcher & Jug

19th Century Edgefield, South Carolina Stoneware Pitcher

Recently Found in an Estate in Athens, GA

Stamped with an "I" or a "1"

Circa 1820s-1830s

Stands 8 5/8" Tall

See Above for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Cagle Auction Company

19th Century Edgefield, South Carolina Stoneware Jug with Some Rutile Decoration

Reportedly Made in the Shop of Reuben Drake

Circa 1830s

Stands 16" Tall

See Above for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Cagle Auction Company

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