An Early 19th Century Thomas Commeraw Stoneware Jar from Manhattan Sells in Virginia

A good selection of nineteenth century stoneware made in Petersburg, Virginia sold yesterday at Victoria Auction in Victoria, Virginia, although there was a number of the repairs including both handles being replaced, as well as a portion of the base, the highlight of the stoneware was likely an early nineteenth century jar with stamped swag and tassel decoration, which was highlighted with cobalt. One side of the jar was marked "COMMERAWS STONEWARE," while the other side was marked "CORLEARS HOOK." The jar sold for $900; there is no buyer's premium at this auction.

For more information - see Brandt Zipp's book, Commeraw's Stoneware: The Life and Work of the First African-American Pottery Owner; also see articles that were published in the January 27, 2023 issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly and the January/February 2023 issue of The Magazine Antiques about the exhibit at the New York Historical Society and the Fenimore Museum of Art, titled, Crafting Freedom: The Life and Legacy of Free Black Potter Thomas W. Commeraw.

Note: This sale also included a good early nineteenth century stoneware jar marked "C. CROLIUS / MANUFACTURER / NEW YORK."

An Early 19th Century Thomas Commeraw Stoneware Jar from Manhattan

Early 19th Century Stoneware Jar from Manhattan

Marked on One Side "COMMERAWS STONEWARE"

While the Other Side was Marked "CORLEARS HOOK"

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Victoria Auction

Early 19th Century Stoneware Jar from Manhattan

Marked "C. CROLIUS / MANUFACTURER / NEW YORK"

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Victoria Auction

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

Frederick W. Shafer's Pottery Business in Leesburg, Virginia: The Sale of a Number of Shafer Family Objects Last Week in Virginia

An important sale of Virginia red earthenware and stoneware happened a few days ago on Friday September 27, 2024 at the Loudon County Fairgrounds in Leesburg, Virginia, when Damewood Auctioneers sold the estate of William C. Whitmore, who was a decendant of the Leesburg potter, Frederick W. Shafer (1819-1904). All of the red earthenware in the sale had descended since it was created through the Shafer family to the present-owner, all of which was published in the book, 2007 Edition of the Bulletin of the Loudoun County Historical Society, as a result of a major discovery of local history in 2006.

Born in Melsungen, Schwalm-Eder-Kreis, Hesse, Germany on March 15, 1819, Shafer established his pottery business in Leesburg sometime between 1845-1850, continuing production into the 1880s. The 1900 United States Federal Census indicates that Shafer migrated to America in 1838, although he was not listed as a potter in that census. He seems to have produced both red earthenware and stoneware.

Interestingly, as I just noted, it was in 2006 that a large amount of Shafer Pottery was discovered in a small family shed owned by Whitmore. The shed had been locked for decades, although when Whitmore opened it for members from the Loudon Museum, they found inside of it all sorts of pottery made at Frederick Shafer's business in the 1800s. Many of these objects were also recorded and eventually photographed for publication in the 2007 book by the Loudoun Museum. In all, 101 pieces of pottery, involving 23 different types were inventoried. Some were one-of-a-kind items made for special purposes (see below); others varied in size and capacity.

According to the book, 2007 Edition of the Bulletin of the Loudoun County Historical Society, "Prior to this discovery, almost nothing was known about the manufacture of pottery in Loudon County. Census records provided a few names of potters in the county, but their output could not be identified, nor were the whereabouts of their kiln sites known."

Nonetheless a number of these discovered and published objects were sold as part of Whitmore's estate last week; those objects included a wide selection of household utilitarian red earthenware. However, a few of the most unusual pieces were a red earthenware flowerpot and an urn that were both adorned with applied decorations, somewhat similar to types manufactured by James Mackley and Anthony Baecher, among other potters working elsewhere in the southern part of the Mid-Atlantic region. The flowerpot sold $1,150 plus the buyer's premium, while the urn sold for $1,000 plus the buyer's premium. These were likely objects that Frederick made as special pieces for his wife Susannah Leazer Shafer (1823-1888).

Another object that I thought was notable from Shafer's production that was included in this sale was an unglazed red earthenware medallion of a mother (or madonna) and a child; it was marked on the back "C.S" and Carlton Shafer (1844-1906) was written in pencil, who was Frederick's son. The medallion sold for $475 plus the buyer's premium. This is one of two medallions like this found in the shed in 2006, while the other example was glazed.

The sale also included an unusual red earthenware mold of a horse, which was attributed to the Shafer Pottery; the mold sold for $650 plus the buyer's premium. This was also one of a pair that were found in the shed in 2006.

Frederick W. Shafer's Pottery Business in Leesburg, Virginia

Collection of Red Earthenware that Descended Through the Shafer Family

Made at Frederick Shafer's Pottery in Leesburg, Virginia

Circa 1845/50-1880s

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Damewood Auctioneers

Selection of Objects All Likely Made for Special Reasons

Made at Frederick Shafer's Pottery in Leesburg, Virginia

Circa 1845/50-1880s

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Damewood Auctioneers

This Document Says Frederick Shafer Arrived in the U.S. in 1838

This is from the 1900 United States Federal Census

See Article for More Information

Frederick Shafer Listed as a Potter in Leesburg, Virginia

This is from the 1850 United States Federal Census

See Article for More Information

Frederick Shafer Listed as a Potter in Leesburg, Virginia

His Son Daniel is also Listed as a Potter

This is from the 1860 United States Federal Census

See Article for More Information

Frederick Shafer Listed as a Potter in Leesburg, Virginia

This is from the 1880 United States Federal Census

See Article for More Information

Sticker Placed on the Objects that were Photographed by the Loudon Museum

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Damewood Auctioneers

19th Century Red Earthenware Urn with Applied Rosette

Made Frederick Shafer's Pottery in Leesburg, Virginia

Descended Through the Shafer Family

Stands 7 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Nathan Fisher

Another View of the Urn

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Damewood Auctioneers

19th Century Red Earthenware Urn with Applied Rosette

Made Frederick Shafer's Pottery in Leesburg, Virginia

Descended Through the Shafer Family

Stands 10 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Nathan Fisher

Another View of the Flowerpot

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Damewood Auctioneers

19th Century Red Earthenware Medallion of a Mother and a Child

The Back is Marked "C.S."

Carlton Shafer is Written in Pencil on the Back

Carlton was Frederick's Son

Measures 4" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Damewood Auctioneers

19th Century Red Earthenware Mold of a Horse

Attributed to the Shafer Pottery in Leesburg, Virginia

Measures 6 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Damewood Auctioneers

Note: One other object that I thought was worth mentioning that sold was Frederick W. Shafer's personal desk; this desk was published in the book, 2007 Edition of the Bulletin of the Loudoun County Historical Society, where William C. Whitmore is seen sitting at the desk.

Frederick W. Shafer's Personal Desk

Stands 40 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Nathan Fisher and the Loudon Museum

Some of Shafer's Pottery Displayed Inside the Desk

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Nathan Fisher 

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

The Walter and Jeannette Smith Collection of Red Earthenware & Stoneware that Sold Today at Pook & Pook in Pennsylvania

Two days ago marked the beginning of an exciting three-day auction at Pook & Pook in Downington, Pennsylvania, where a very rare pair of nineteenth century red earthenware vases sold that were made by James Mackley (1843-1916) in Thurmont, Maryland. These objects were illustrated in Figure 165 in A.H. Rice and John Stoudt's 1929 book, The Shenandoah Pottery.

For a brief history: utilitarian pottery production dates back at least 150 years in Thurmont (formerly Mechanicstown). Jacob Lynn was the town's first potter. He purchased land which may have contained an existing pottery from a man named John Hewlett in 1845. 

Lynn hired other potters to work at his business, including James Mackley and Anthony Baecher. Baecher was considered one of the area's most influential potters, and in the 1850s learned most of the techniques that he later taught James Mackley. Mackley was born in Carroll County in 1843 and probably came to Thurmont about 1865.

Mackley made many functional pieces of pottery, such as crocks, bowls, plates and other utilitarian items. He also produced fancier pieces, often known as presentation pieces; these were vases, sugar bowls, flower pots, birdhouses, hanging planters and other decorative items. On these, he fashioned birds, rosettes, leaves and other little decorative features, and he sometimes signed these, usually on the bottom. Mackley later moved to Virginia, whereas among the museums that display his work today is the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan that exhibits a lidded sugar bowl that was acquired by the museum in 1933. Nonetheless, this pair of vases sold two days ago for $8,125 including the buyer's premium.

19th Century Red Earthenware Vases Made in Thurmont, Maryland

Made by James Mackley (1843-19196) About 1875

Each Stands 9" Tall

Published Figure 165 in the 1929 Book, The Shenandoah Pottery

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Pook & Pook

Figure 165 in the 1929 Book, The Shenandoah Pottery

See Article for More Information

A set of twelve nineteenth century red earthenware candle molds set inside a pine frame also sold on day one, which were made at Enos Smedley's (1805-1892) pottery in Chester County, Pennsylvania; the tubes were marked "SMEDLEY & CO;" they sold for $1,875 including the buyer's premium

This is also a subject of a two-page cover story I wrote for the March 4, 2022 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled, 19th-Century Red Earthenware Candle Molds Manufactured in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Western New York: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2022/03/print-version-of-my-cover-story.html.

19th Century 12-Tube Red Earthenware Candle Mold Set Inside a Pine Frame

The Tubes are Marked "SMEDLEY & CO."

Probably Circa 1840s-1850s

This Type of Production is Commonly Associated with Alvin Wilcox in W. New York

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Pook & Pook

The Walter and Jeannette Smith Collection of Red Earthenware & Stoneware

Today's sale featured the red earthenware and stoneware collection of Walter and Jeannette Smith of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; this is a collection that I have admired for more than a decade. I first met the Smiths back in 2013 when Walter contacted me after I wrote my first published research article for the October 2013 issue of the New England Antiques Journal, titled, Buried in Merrimacport: William Pecker, his pots and his kiln. In that story, I mentioned a jug that was thought to have been made by Pecker, which was inscribed on the front in slip with the year of manufacture, "1797." The Smiths contacted me just after the article was published, saying they had purchased the jug from the collection of Hilary and Paulette Nolan in 2004 (the Nolans acquired the jug decades prior from a dealer in Virginia); I was also invited to see the Smith's collection, which I made the trip to their home later that year. The overall antiques collection was really spectacular, although this jug sold today for $2,125 including the buyer's premium; the jug is also published in my fourth book, titled, South Amesbury's Red Earthenware & Stoneware: The 1791-1820 William Pecker Pottery, and will also be published in my forthcoming New Hampshire book, titled, An Influential Family of Early Potters: The Clarks of New Hampshire and Related Businesses.

Late 18th Century Red  Earthenware Jug Made in Essex County, Mass.

Probably Made at the William Pecker Pottery in South Amesbury, Mass.

Inscribed with Slip "1797"

The Handle and Rim Were Restored

Stands 7" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Pook & Pook

Another significant object that sold in today's sale from the Smith Collection was a late eighteenth or early nineteenth century slip decorated red earthenware pitcher with likely its original lid from Bristol County, Massachusetts. This object is one of a few known like it today, which includes two jugs, one of which is illustrated on the back cover of my fifth book, titled. A Celebrated Industry: The Historic Wares of Southeastern Massachusetts, Bristol County and Cape Cod: the pitcher sold for $17,500 including the buyer's premium.

Late 18th or Early 19th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Pitcher

Made in Bristol County, Mass.

The Lid is Likely Original

There are Only a Few Related Objects Known Today

Stands 8" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Pook & Pook

Here are links to some of the other notable objects from today's sale: 

1) Sgraffito decorated red earthenware plate from Southeastern Pennsylvania dated "1811" sold for $25,000 including the buyer's premium: https://live.pookandpook.com/online-auctions/pook/southeastern-pennsylvania-redware-charger-6610061

2) Nineteenth century red earthenware figure of a dog holding a basket from Pennsylvania sold for $6,250 including the buyer's premium: https://live.pookandpook.com/online-auctions/pook/pennsylvania-redware-dog-19th-c-6610072

 

3) Nineteenth century red earthenware rattle in the figure of a bird from Pennsylvania sold for $3,000 including the buyer's premium: https://live.pookandpook.com/online-auctions/pook/pennsylvania-redware-bird-rattle-19th-c-6610084

4) Nineteenth century slip decorated red earthenware bowl made at the John Bell Pottery for the Snow Hill Nunnery in Pennsylvania sold for $7,500 including the buyer's premium: https://live.pookandpook.com/online-auctions/pook/pennsylvania-snow-hill-nunnery-redware-bowl-6610103

5) Nineteenth century slip decorated red earthenware mixing bowl made at the Solomon Bell Pottery in Strasburg, Virginia sold for $17,500 including the buyer's premium: https://live.pookandpook.com/online-auctions/pook/solomon-bell-virginia-redware-mixing-bowl-6610106

6) Nineteenth century red earthenware jar decorated with tulips in slip sold for $2,125 including the buyer's premium: https://live.pookandpook.com/online-auctions/pook/moravian-redware-jar-early-19th-c-6610105

7) Pair of nineteenth century red earthenware squirrel bottles from Salem, North Carolina sold for $8,750 including the buyer's premium: https://live.pookandpook.com/online-auctions/pook/pair-of-north-carolina-redware-squirrel-bottles-6610119

8) Nineteenth century red earthenware jar from Pennsylvania sold for $3,500 including the buyer's premium: https://live.pookandpook.com/online-auctions/pook/new-england-redware-crock-19th-c-6610097

9) Pair of nineteenth century red earthenware jars made by Solomon Bell in Strasburg, Virginia sold for $5,000 including the buyer's premium: https://live.pookandpook.com/online-auctions/pook/pair-of-solomon-bell-virginia-redware-crocks-6610164

10) Red earthenware bowl dated "1791" sold for 6,250 including the buyer's premium: https://live.pookandpook.com/online-auctions/pook/large-hagerstown-maryland-redware-bowl-6610155

11) Early nineteenth century red earthenware bowl attributed to Hagerstown, Maryland sold for $5,250 including the buyer's premium: https://live.pookandpook.com/online-auctions/pook/hagerstown-maryland-redware-bowl-early-19th-c-6610156

12) Small nineteenth century cobalt decorated stoneware flask sold for $4,000 including the buyer's premium: https://live.pookandpook.com/online-auctions/pook/diminutive-american-stoneware-flask-19th-c-6610147

13) Nineteenth century cobalt decorated stoneware crock from Morgantown, West Virginia sold for $4,250 including the buyer's premium: https://live.pookandpook.com/online-auctions/pook/morgantown-west-virginia-stoneware-people-crock-6610170

14) Early nineteenth century slip decorated red earthenware jar from West Hartford, Connecticut sold for $6,250 including the buyer's premium: https://live.pookandpook.com/online-auctions/pook/connecticut-redware-crock-ca-1820-6610176

15) Early nineteenth century slip decorated red earthenware jar from West Hartford, Connecticut sold for $2,000 including the buyer's premium: https://live.pookandpook.com/online-auctions/pook/connecticut-redware-crock-ca-1820-6610177

Note: There was plenty of more great pottery in the Smith Collection, much of which originated in Pennsylvania and elsewhere in the Mid-Atlantic region - see the auction catalog for the rest of the pottery: https://live.pookandpook.com/auctions/pook/americana-international-auction---session-three---lots-1001-1432-15726/catalog.

 

Some of the Red Earthenware that Sold This Week at Pook & Pook in Pennsylvania

Some of this Pottery is from the Smith Collection of Gettysburg, PA

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Pook & Pook

Some of the Stoneware that Sold This Week at Pook & Pook in Pennsylvania

Some of this Pottery is from the Smith Collection of Gettysburg, PA

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Pook & Pook

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

A Red Earthenware Bowl that Sold Today at Pook & Pook in Pennsylvania and a Related Bowl Recovered from a Privy in Maryland

It was about six years ago that I visited the workshop and private pottery collection of Jeff Ingram in Laurel, Maryland, which is where I brought home a few objects that had been recovered from archaeological contexts in Baltimore; these objects were later restored by Jeff. Among those pieces of everyday utilitarian pottery was a circa 1780-1820 slip decorated red earthenware chamber pot made in Baltimore, which will be included in a lengthy feature story about Baltimore red earthenware that I have scheduled to be published in a forthcoming issue of Maine Antique Digest.

Another object that I brought home was a small nineteenth century two-color slip decorated red earthenware bowl; I knew it was something, but I did not know what to make of it at the time, although it was also recovered from an archaeological context (nineteenth century privy). I cannot remember where it was exactly found, but I believe it was in Maryland. This is the first time that I have shown this object on this website, seeing that I was never sure of where it was made because I had never seen anything like it before. 

However, Pook & Pook in Downington, Pennsylvania is currently in the middle of a major three-day Americana auction, whereas included in today's sale is a bowl that I believe is directly related to the object that I own. 

I will post much more about this three-day sale tomorrow, although I wanted to make note of the sale of this larger bowl today, which was reportedly made in the Mid-Atlantic region. Furthermore, both bowls are refined and manufactured with the same colored glaze that covers the entire surface, including the base (difference in this post being the types of lighting used for the photographs), as well as the use of the same colors of slip on the interior, along with the same type of cupped base. Nevertheless, the bowl that sold today brought $437.50 including the buyer's premium.

Red Earthenware Bowls Possibly From the Mid-Atlantic Region

19th Century Two-Color Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl

Reportedly Made in the Mid-Atlantic Region

Measures 2 1/2" h and 6 1/4" d

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Pook & Pook

19th Century Two-Color Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Bowl

Recovered from a Privy in the Mid-Atlantic Region

Measures 1 1/4" h and 3 1/4" d

See Article for More Information

A View of the Base

See Article for More Information

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

Some Good Red Earthenware that Sold Today from the Dr. Richard J. Wattenmaker Collection at Freeman's | Hindman in Philadelphia

Some good red earthenware sold today at Freeman's | Hindman in Philadelphia from the collection of Dr. Richard J. Wattenmaker, although one object really stood out to me from the rest, which was a late eighteenth or early nineteenth century three-color slip decorated pitcher that previously sold as part of Robesonia, Pennsylvania potter Lester Breininger's collection at Pook & Pook in Pennsylvania in 2011. The history of the pitcher previous to Lester's ownership is unknown to me, however the pitcher's rim was previously restored and it is thought to have been repaired while Lester owned it. The pitcher sold in 2011 for $2,133 including the buyer's premium, whereas it sold today for $2,000 plus the buyer's premium.

A second favorite object from today's sale was a late eighteenth or early nineteenth century three-color slip decorated red earthenware jar with likely its original lid suggested to have been from Pennsylvania. The slip decoration on both the lid and the jar was really spectacular; I cannot recall having seen anything exactly like it before from Pennsylvania, although the slip technique also reminded me of styles produced in the Hagerstown, Maryland area. The jar sold for $800 plus the buyer's premium.

The sale also included a rare late eighteenth or early nineteenth century slip decorated red earthenware mug with a mottled glaze possibly made in the West Hartford, Connecticut area by either the Goodwin or Seymour families (it is not widely known that the Goodwins also used slip on red earthenware that they produced); the mug sold for $600 plus the buyer's premium.

A pair of sgraffito decorated red earthenware dishes also sold, one of which was attributed to John Leidy (1753-1818) in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The lot sold for $2,500 plus the buyer's premium.

The final lot that I wanted to note was a good late eighteenth or early nineteenth century two-color slip decorated pan from North Carolina, perhaps the Salem-Winston area, which sold for $2,000 plus the buyer's premium.

Note: For the rest of the pottery in today's sale - see the auction catalog; there is much more to see: https://hindmanauctions.com/auctions/2083-For-the-Love-of-Barnes-The-Collection-of-Dr-Richard-J-Wattenmaker.

Late 18th or Early 19th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Pitcher

Late 18th or Early 19th Century Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Pitcher

Possibly from Pennsylvania

Previously Owned by PA Potter Lester Breininger

Stands 7 1/2" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Freeman's | Hindman

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

19th Century Stoneware Jar from Edgefield, South Carolina Marked "N. Ramey & Co." that Sold Today at Charlton Hall Auctions

In the spring of 2021, Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland sold a nineteenth century four-gallon stoneware jar from Edgefield, South Carolina that was stamped "N RAMEY & CO.," circa 1839." This mark was used while merchant, Nathaniel Ramey was involved with stoneware produced in Pottersville, although only a small group of objects are known today bearing this mark. The jar sold for $7,200 including the buyer's premium. Another jar of this type sold at Charlton Hall Auctions in West Columbia, South Carolina in 2012 for $8,775 including the buyer's premium: https://www.charltonhallauctions.com/auction-lot/rare-edgefield-stoneware-storage-jar-stamped-n-r_FF4E2676E1.

Furthermore, another object bearing this same mark sold today at Charlton Hall Auctions; according to the auction house, "One of the rarest marks among Edgefield stoneware, "N. Ramey & Co." was only in existence approximately two years. In 1836 Nathaniel Ramey purchased one third interest in Pottersville's Drake & Rhodes factory which formed Drake Rhodes & Co. and by 1838 the pottery had gone from Ramey, Rhodes and Co. to Rhodes Ramey & Gibbes, finally becoming N. Ramey and Co. However, by 1840 Nathaniel Ramey had completely dissolved his interest in Pottersville. During the time this jar was created Pottersville was the home of the slave potter we know as Dave." 

In an article written by Corbett Toussaint in 2015 for the Journal of Early Southern Decorative Arts, titled, Edgefield District Stoneware: The Potter’s Legacy, " (Based on information drawn from Nathaniel Ramey's ledger) In this entry Ramey leased a man named Harry for “a day’s work at $37.” While the journal does not specify that Harry was a turner, the following year Ramey deeded his interest in the stoneware manufactory to Dr. Jasper Gibbs. Among the enslaved workers included in the manufactory were three turners: Harry, Abram, and (a boy) named Daniel."

Nevertheless, this jar sold today for $1,700 plus the buyer's premium.

Jar from Edgefield, South Carolina Marked "N. Ramey & Co."

19th Century Edgefield District in South Carolina Stoneware Canning Jar

Stamped "N. Ramey & Co."

Circa 1839

Stands 10" Tall

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Charlton Hall Auctions

A View of the Mark "N. Ramey & Co."

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Charlton Hall Auctions

A View of the Base

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Charlton Hall Auctions

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

Another 19th Century Coggle and Three Color Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Plate Likely from Southeastern Pennsylvania

After posting two stories this week about nineteenth century coggle and three color slip decorated red earthenware plates likely from Southeastern Pennsylvania, I learned of yet another example that is privately owned in New Jersey. This plate was acquired by the current owner in 1972; according to that owner, "I bought it from a local dealer, Betsy Demarest, who lived in an eighteenth century stone house in Morris County, New Jersey. Her family were an historic family in Bergen County, New Jersey and her mother had been a dealer also. Betsy said it came from an old collection. She and her parents had a lot of local contacts due to their historic family roots." Additionally, the back of this plate is signed with the initials "I.C," although it is currently unclear what those initials mean and who they may represent.

For more information about this type of production - see the previous two posts from earlier this week --

1) 19th Century Coggle and Three Color Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Plates Likely from Southeastern Pennsylvania: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/09/19th-century-coggle-and-three-color.html.

2) More Information: 19th Century Coggle and Three Color Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Plates Likely from Southeastern Pennsylvania: http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/09/more-information-19th-century-coggle.html.

Coggle and Three Color Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Plate

19th Century Coggle and Three Color Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Plate

Probably Made in Southeastern Pennsylvania

Measures Over 11" in Diameter

 Back of the Plate is Signed with the Initials "I.C."

See Article for More Information

Photos Courtesy: Private Collection

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

New Published Feature Story in Antiques And The Arts Weekly: A Red Earthenware Pitcher Marked 'Nathaniel Sellers Upper Hanover, Pa'

My latest feature story is published on page 28 in the current September 27, 2024 issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly, titled, A Red Earthenware Pitcher Marked 'Nathaniel Sellers Upper Hanover, Pa.'

Here is a link to the online version of the current issue: https://issuu.com/newtownbee/docs/aaw-09-27-2024_issue?fr=sNGQ3MTY0NzA3ODI.

Here is also a link to a PDF of the feature story: https://www.scribd.com/document/770640404/0927-D-028-ANA-Sellers.

New Published Feature Story in Antiques And The Arts Weekly

A Red Earthenware Pitcher Marked 'Nathaniel Sellers Upper Hanover, Pa'

Published in the September 27, 2024 issue of Antiques And The Arts Weekly

See Above for More Information

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

More Information: 19th Century Coggle and Three Color Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Plates Likely from Southeastern Pennsylvania

As I previously noted in yesterday's post, titled, 19th Century Coggle and Three Color Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Plates Likely from Southeastern Pennsylvania, "This type of nineteenth century slip decorated red earthenware plate is one of my favorite non-script decorated plates or dishes known from the American Northeast today. There are about four or five of these types of plates known, which are thought to have been made in Southeastern Pennsylvania in the 1800s, whereas one of best examples was found in Bucks County, Pennsylvania many years ago.

One of the plates that has sold in the twenty-first century was owned for many years by Long Island, New York collector Michael Schnall before it sold as part of his major Americana collection at Northeast Auctions in Manchester, New Hampshire on August 2, 2008. Although, it was previously owned as part of the Sekall Collection in Bucks County.

Additionally, there are a few other related plates known that have recently sold at auction; a second example was owned for many years by Robesonia, Pennsylvania potter Lester Breininger, which sold as lot number 733 at Pook & Pook in Pennsylvania on November 11, 2011, and previously came out of an auction near Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; a third example just sold as lot number 203 in Crocker Farm's summer 2024 sale.

Each of these plates are drape-molded and decorated with three colors of slip and a coggle wheel; I can not recall having seen any other forms decorated with this exact technique outside of this style of circular plate."

Additionally, I learned yesterday from Michael Emery that the plate Lester owned was purchased at a sale in Schnecksville, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania in 1999. Lester's note from the sale reads, "Snyder family of Bethlehem bro & sister last of family bro died before sale, sister soon after 1/3/99."

Ohio potter Greg Shooner also noted, "Lester Breinenger always thought of these as Berks County, Pennsylvania. Probably comparing the 5/6 divided slip cup with other pieces attributed to Daniel Dry of Dryville, Pennsylvania. The white, copper and manganese slips applied with this cup have similar, if not identical gaps - and were applied in tulip patterns as well as criss-cross and “plaid” motifs. If these are not Berks County, I would suggest that they were at the very least journeyman work and closely related."

This is the Sale that Lester Breininger Purchased His Plate From in Schnecksville, PA

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Michael Emery

Lester Breininger Also Reproduced the Plate He Owned

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Anthony Butera Jr.

Interestingly, the private collector in New England who currently owns the plate from the Schnall Collection sent me some pictures yesterday showing the back of the plate, which includes some writing in pencil, as well as it being marked with the number "8." I have seen this type of number on the back of other plates from Southeastern Pennsylvania. Are they all connected? I do not know. Nonetheless, though, I also posted a large three color slip decorated red earthenware plate that I own of a similar manufacture, which I believe is most likely related, and is marked on the back with the number "10"

19th Century Coggle and Three Color Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Plates

Probably Made in Southeastern Pennsylvania

Measures 11 5/8" in Diameter

Marked on the Back with the Number "8"

Previously Owned as Part of the Sekall Collection in Bucks County, PA

Also Previously Owned as Part of the Michael Schnall Collection in NY

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

A View of the Back of the Plate

The Back is Marked with the Number "8"

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

There is also Some Pencil Writing on the Back

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

Another View of the Pencil Writing on the Back

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Private Collection

 19th Century Three Color Slip Decorated Red Earthenware Plate

Likely Made in Southeastern Pennsylvania

Measures 13 1/2" in Diameter

Marked on the Back with the Number "10"

See Article for More Information

A View of the Back of the Plate

The Back is Marked with the Number "10"

See Article for More Information

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