According to an article written by Richard Miller for the 2016 issue of Ceramics in America, titled, Norwalk (Connecticut) Slip-script Pottery, the Potters, and Related Ware: "Customers at the Asa Edward Smith (1798-1880) Pottery (ca. 1825-1887) in Norwalk, Connecticut could order dishes inscribed with the names of saints who served as models for a Christian life. The number of extant examples is large, with those inscribed "St. Francis Xavier" and "St. Remigius" typifying most." This is also a subject that I have been working on as a research/feature story for a future publication that examines the wide range of these types of objects known today.
Nonetheless, this lot of seven nineteenth century red earthenware objects sold yesterday at Schwenke Auctioneers in Woodbury, Connecticut, although one object in particular stood out from the rest, a slip-script decorated red earthenware plate from Norwalk, inscribed, "St. Ubaldus Bishop."
St. Ubaldus Baldassini, also known as Ubaldus of Gubbio was born c.1085 at Gubbio near Ancona, Umbria, Italy, as Ubaldo Baldassini (1084-1160). Born to nobility and related to Saint Sperandia (1216-1276), Ubaldo’s father, Rovaldo Baldassini, died when the boy was very young; his mother was an invalid, afflicted with what is now considered a neurological disease. St. Ubaldo's life was difficult from the beginning. In fact, he became an orphan when his parents died, although his uncle, the Bishop of Gubbio took care of him and educated him.
Ubald was ordained, was named deacon of the cathedral, reformed the canons, and then left a few years later to become a hermit. Dissuaded from the eremitical life by Peter of Rimini, he returned to Gubbio and in 1126, was named Bishop of Perugia but refused the honor. He became Bishop of Gubbio in 1128 and persuaded Emperor Frederick II (1194-1250) not to sack Gubbio, as he had Spoleto during one of his forays into Italy. Being sick the last two years of his life, Ubald died at Gubbio on May 16, and was canonized in 1192. His feast day is celebrated each day on May 16th.
Based on what is known about this type of production today, this inscription is considered rare in comparison to some of the other surviving Christian inscriptions from Norwalk. The lot sold for $700 plus the buyer's premium.
Slip-Script Decorated Red Earthenware from Norwalk, Connecticut
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