Friday, May 30, 2025

Two Important Examples of Signed Red Earthenware that Sold Today at Brunk Auctions in Asheville, North Carolina

While visiting a penthouse in Manhattan in the summer of 2023 for some research for my now published two-volume Western New York book, I was surprised to learn about two pieces of signed red earthenware that were just sitting on a shelf in the kitchen, one being a jar and the other a pitcher. Both of these objects are important for the history of red earthenware production in Pennsylvania. These objects eventually led to two research stories published in Antiques And The Arts Weekly (see below for links), whereas both of these objects sold earlier today at Brunk Auctions in Asheville, North Carolina.

The jar is adorned with figures of Saint Ambrose or Aurelius Ambrosius (ca. 340-397 AD) and is related to some objects produced in Ontario, Canada in the 1820s; it sold for $1,600 plus the buyer's premium: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/206138977_rare-shenandoah-valley-redware-jar-and-lid-attributed-to-daniel-reichard

Saint Ambrose is considered to be one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the fourth century, and was the Roman governor of Liguria and Emilia, based in Milan, before being made Bishop of Milan by popular acclamation in 374 AD, even though he was not even a priest.

The second object was a hound-handle pitcher, which was marked on the base “Nathaniel Sellers / Upper Hanover Pa;" it sold for $1,000 plus the buyer's premium: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/206138978_rare-nathaniel-sellers-molded-redware-pitcher-with-hound-handle.

Furthermore, the Nathaniel Sellers pitcher is a subject of a research article that I have written, which will be publisher later this year in Americana Insights, titled, Nathaniel Sellers: A Postmaster and Red Earthenware Potter of Upper Hanover, Pennsylvania.

Posted below a few pictures that I took in this penthouse moments after I learned about these objects; these are also the only signed examples of red earthenware that can be tied to these potters in Pennsylvania today: Nathaniel Sellers (pitcher) and Daniel Reichard (jar).

Also - here is a link to purchase the Western New York books, whereas the object made by Reichard is included in this book, seeing that it helps support the migration that happened with potters from the Hagerstown, Maryland area to Western New York and Ontario, Canada in the early 1800s: https://historicbeverly.net/product/103125/

Link to Reichard article in Antiques And The Arts Weeklyhttp://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/04/new-published-feature-story-in-antiques_11.html?m=1

Link to Sellers article in Antiques And The Arts Weeklyhttp://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2024/09/new-published-feature-story-in-antiques.html?m=1

Two Important Examples of Signed Red Earthenware

19th Century Red Earthenware Pitcher Made in Upper Hanover, PA
Marked on the Base "Nathaniel Sellers / Upper Hanover Pa"
Circa 1840s-1850s
Stands 8 1/2" Tall
Pitcher is a Subject of an Article I Wrote for the Forthcoming Issue of Americana Insights
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Garrison and Diana Stradling
A View of the Mark on the Base
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Garrison and Diana Stradling
Likely Late 18th Century Red Earthenware Jar Likely Made in Pennsylvania
Likely Made by Daniel Reichard
Related Jars were also Produced in Ontario, Canada in the 1820s
Adorned with Figures of Saint Ambrose
Stands 9" Tall
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Garrison and Diana Stradling
A View of the Base
The Base is Signed and Dated
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Garrison and Diana Stradling

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

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