A sundial has to be among the most unusual nineteenth century stoneware forms made in America, whereas there is one found in the collection of Winterthur Museum in Delaware. Another example sold at Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland in July of 2017 that was described as Philadelphia in origin and probably from the Remmey family: https://www.crockerfarm.com/stoneware-auction/2017-07-22/lot-209/Extremely-Rare-Stoneware-Sundial-Philadelphia-PA-origin/.
According to Crocker Farm, "This sundial is the first American stoneware example we have ever offered. A similar example is in the collection of Winterthur, incised "H.R. Mitchell / Philada," and illustrated on page five of Phil Schaltenbrand's 2002 book, Big Ware Turners: The History and Manufacture of Pennsylvania Stoneware."
Both of these sundials are created from a wheel-thrown circular slab with incised Roman numerals and impressed with the notations North, South, and East, which is embellished and highlighted in cobalt slip.
Interestingly, H.R. Mitchell is cited in an exhibition of tiles that happened at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where he is credited as working as a decorator at the circa 1884-1887 Park Porcelain Works in Philadelphia, such as a turtle shell ornament that Mitchell gave to the museum in 1884. The exhibit also included a square shaped tile decorated with a begonia leaf that Mitchell also made at the Park Porcelain Works.
According to Edwin Atlee Barber's (1851-1916) 1893 book, The Pottery and Porcelain of the United States, "In 1884, Mr. H.R. Mitchell, of the Park Porcelain Works, West Philadelphia, experimented in glazed relief tiles, examples of which are on exhibition in the Pennsylvania Museum of Art. He modelled a number of designs from natural objects, such as leaves and turtle-shells, the latter being exact reproductions, both in form and coloring, of the original models. The manufacture does not seem to have advanced beyond the experimental stage, although the workmanship was creditable and some of the glazes excellent."
Mitchell is also cited in another exhibition that happened in the 1870s; according to the Department Reports on January 20, 1877, "On motion of Mr. Paxton, the thanks of the Committee were tendered to Mr. H.R. Mitchell, of Philadelphia, for the many favors rendered by him in securing the entry of articles for exhibition and in the withdrawal of same at the close."
Furthermore, a stoneware sundial that was made by H.R. Mitchell is referenced in the Twenty-Sixth Annual Report Of The Trustees With The List of Members For The Year Ending May 31, 1902: "Mr. H.R. Mitchell: Sun Dial; stoneware with metal gnomon; Made in the U.S., 1902."
Nonetheless - Are there many other stoneware sundials from Philadelphia known today?
Note: There is also a stoneware sundial from Philadelphia inscribed "H.C. Bailey" that sold at Sotheby's in Manhattan in January of 2011, and more recently, it sold again at Crocker Farm in July of 2019: https://www.crockerfarm.com/stoneware-auction/2019-07-20/lot-24/Very-Rare-Stoneware-Sundial-att-Richard-Remmey-Philadelphia-PA-Inscribed-H-C-Bailey/.
A Stoneware Sundial Inscribed "H.R. Mitchell / Phila"
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