Pottery

Scarce Great Road Virginia earthenware pottery jug, deeply impressed T.I.M.4 within a rectangular border, attributed by Roddy Moore to Thomas J. Myers (1807-1863), working in Smyth County, Virginia. Ovoid form with a clear lead glaze, beaded rim, multiple incised lines around the upper shoulder, extruded handle with clay added to each handle attachment and thumb impressions to the terminus, beaded foot, and unglazed smooth base. 9″ H. Mid 19th century. Note: Thomas J. Myers is listed in the 1850 census as a potter in Smyth County, Virginia. A jar shown in the 2011 Tennessee Turned – Earthenware and Stoneware Made in East Tennessee 1800-1900 exhibit (curated by Dr. Carole Wahler at the East Tennessee Historical Society) also had the initials T.I.M. impressed behind the top left handle.Â

CONDITION: Overall very good condition. A couple of very slight fleabites to spout rim and minor glaze wear, base with chip and some slight chipping/losses to beaded foot. [See more photos →]

Two (2) Southwest VA J. B. Magee (Washington Co., Virginia) stoneware pottery items.1st item: Tall unglazed jug with incised stamp to the upper shoulder reading J. B. MAGEE. 11 1/4" H. 2nd item: Tall stoneware preserving jar stamped J.B.MAGEE below the incised upper shoulder. Both pieces 4th Qtr. 19th century. Note: An example of Magee's pottery can be found in the book "Great Road Style: The Decorative Arts Legacy of Southwest Virginia & Northeast Tennessee", Betsy K. White, University of Virginia, page 144. Examples of Magee pottery are also shown in the catalog and 2005 exhibit, "Legacy in Clay: Pottery of Washington County, Virginia" William King Regional Arts Center, Abingdon, VA.

PROVENANCE: Private Hawkins County, Tennessee collection.

CONDITION: 1st iterm: Chip to spout, hairline emanating from the base to mid-wall on backside near handle. 2nd item: Vertical hairline emanating from rim down through the body, otherwise overall good condition. Interior and exterior with remnants of later added paint. [See more photos →]

1st item: Scarce West Virginia stoneware pottery preserving jar with cobalt stenciled decoration reading "H. P. Haught, Silver Hill West VA". 8 1/4". Last half 19th century. 2nd item: Stoneware pottery preserving or canning jar, likely Middle Tennessee, with incised counting "tally" or math marks to one side. 9" H. Late 19th/Early 20th century.

CONDITION: 1st item: Overall very good condition. Firing marks noted to rim and body to one side, shallow chip to base. 2nd item: Overall good condition. Long vertical firing mark to body. Outer and inner rims with fleabites or shallow chipping. [See more photos →]

East Tennessee, Blount or Knox County, stoneware pottery preserving jar, with 3 incised lines around the shoulder. Lower base with impressed partial half-crescent mark reading KNOXVILLE TENN. 7 3/4" H. Late 19th century. Note: Although this example does not have the full Grindstaff stamp, it is consistent with other examples of Grindstaff pottery that we have sold in past auctions, https://caseantiques.com/item/lot-167-east-tn-grindstaff-stoneware-pottery-jar/.

CONDITION: Rim is partially restored. Body with scattered firing imperfections and voids, one chip to lower base edge. [See more photos →]

East Tennessee stoneware pottery jar, with impressed "MP Harmon, Mowhawk" mark around the circumference of the shoulder for the Harmon Pottery, located Mowhawk, TN (Greene County). 6 1/2" H. Late 19th century.

CONDITION: Scattered chipping and light glaze exfoliation to rim and base. [See more photos →]

George A. Dickel & Co. stoneware advertising jug, bi-color brown and white slip glaze with stenciled letters reading GEO. A . DICKEL & CO. "CASCADE" DISTILLERY HAND MADE SOUR MASH TENNESSEE WHISKEY. Upper shoulder impressed "A4". 14" H. Late 19th/Early 20th century.

CONDITION: Scattered chipping to spout and upper body rim. [See more photos →]

1st item: Nashville stoneware advertising whiskey jug with brown slip top and white slip body and cobalt stencil reading "Fitzgerald-Litchford Co., Nashville, Tenn., Groceries, Field Seeds and Country Bacon/ WHISKIES, BRANDIES AND WINES, Special attention given to mail orders, All express charges paid on one gallon or over". 11 1/4" H. 2nd &3rd items: Two (2) Middle TN stoneware pottery items including a spittoon with light tan glaze and a pottery jar with ruffled rim and handle. 4" H x 7" W and 7" H. Middle Tennessee, late 19th/early 20th century.

PROVENANCE: Private Hawkins County, Tennessee collection.

CONDITION: 1st item: Some scattered fleabites to rim, shoulder and base. 2nd & 3rd items: Spittoon with old chip to shoulder and base. Jar with fleabites to rim and old repaired break to handle. [See more photos →]

George Edgar Ohr (American, Biloxi, Mississippi 1857-1918) earthenware art pottery vase having an "in-body" twist at the shoulder and translucent periwinkle blue glaze. Impressed stamp on the base reading "G. E. OHR. Biloxi, Miss.". 4" H. Circa 1900. Biography: (Adapted from the Smithsonian Institution, The Everson Museum of Art, & The Ohr-O'Keefe Museum) The second of five children with little formal education, Ohr learned to make pottery as an apprentice to his friend Joseph Meyer who worked at the Newcomb College Art Pottery, and who also worked in Biloxi, Mississippi. After mastering the art of clay under the tutelage of Meyer, Ohr spent two years traveling the United States and visiting various potteries. He returned to Biloxi in 1883 and established his own pottery studio. He prepared his own clay and glazes and was known for his exceptional ability to produce pieces with thin walls. Ohr was also adept at creating new shapes by "twisting, folding, crushing or denting the clay while the pot was still in a flexible state". He also was known for creating a great variety of glazes that were rich in color and also used in unusual combinations. Ohr would receive honors for his work at the New Orleans Cotton Exposition of 1884-1885 and at the St. Louis Exposition of 1904, among others. According to the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum, "Ohr closed his pottery in 1910, packed away his collection, and asked that his heirs keep the collection untouched until 50 years after his death". His heirs honored this request and subsequently, around 1972, Ojo Ohr sold approximately 7,000 pieces to James and Miriam Carpenter and antique dealers from New Jersey who began to market Ohr's work to collectors in the Northeast.

PROVENANCE: Collection of John H. and Carol R. Evans, Farragut, Tennessee.

CONDITION: Overall excellent condition with no visible cracks or chips. [See more photos →]

George Edgar Ohr (American, Biloxi, Mississippi 1857-1918) earthenware art pottery bottle form vase with an extended cylindrical neck, pronounced shaped shoulder and beaded base edge. Copper oxide and manganese glaze. Impressed stamp on the base reading "G. E. OHR. Biloxi, Miss." 6" H. Circa 1900. Biography: (Adapted from the Smithsonian Institution & The Everson Museum of Art & The Ohr-OKeefe Museum) The second of five children with little formal education, Ohr learned to make pottery as an apprentice to his friend Joseph Meyer who worked at the Newcomb College Art Pottery, and who also worked in Biloxi, Mississippi. After mastering the art of clay under the tutelage of Meyer, Ohr spent two years traveling the United States visiting various potteries. He returned to Biloxi in 1883 and established his own pottery studio. He prepared his own clay and glazes and was known for his exceptional ability to produce pieces with thin walls. Ohr was also adept at creating new shapes by "twisting, folding, crushing or denting the clay while the pot was still in a flexible state". He also was known for creating a great variety of glazes that were rich in color and also used in unusual combinations. Ohr would received honors for his work at the New Orleans Cotton Exposition of 1884-1885 and at the St. Louis Exposition of 1904, among others. According to the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum "Ohr closed his pottery in 1910, packed away his collection, and asked that his heirs keep the collection untouched until 50 years after his death". His heirs honored this request and subsequently around 1972, Ojo Ohr sold approximately 7,000 pieces, to James and Miriam Carpenter, and antique dealers from New Jersey who began to market Ohr's work to collectors in the Northeast.

PROVENANCE: Collection of John H. and Carol R. Evans, Farragut, Tennessee.

CONDITION: Overall excellent condition with no visible cracks or chips. [See more photos →]

George Edgar Ohr (American, Biloxi, Mississippi 1857 – 1918) earthenware art pottery mug having an applied looped handle with snake head terminus, dark and light brown glaze and inscription to the body reading "Here's your good health and your family's and may they all live long and prosper J. Jefferson". Impressed stamp on the base reading "G. E. OHR. Biloxi, Miss." with additional inscribed letters and numbers "U G81-81". 3 3/4" H x 4" W. Circa 1900. Note: An undated typed letter from the Smithsonian Institution accompanies this lot. It states that this piece was part of the collection of a private dealer that was available for sale at the Renwick Gallery Museum Shop. Biography: (Adapted from the Smithsonian Institution & The Everson Museum of Art & The Ohr-OKeefe Museum) The second of five children with little formal education, Ohr learned to make pottery as an apprentice to his friend Joseph Meyer who worked at the Newcomb College Art Pottery, and who also worked in Biloxi, Mississippi. After mastering the art of clay under the tutelage of Meyer, Ohr spent two years traveling the United States visiting various potteries. He returned to Biloxi in 1883 and established his own pottery studio. He prepared his own clay and glazes and was known for his exceptional ability to produce pieces with thin walls. Ohr was also adept at creating new shapes by "twisting, folding, crushing or denting the clay while the pot was still in a flexible state". He also was known for creating a great variety of glazes that were rich in color and also used in unusual combinations. Ohr would receive honors for his work at the New Orleans Cotton Exposition of 1884-1885 and at the St. Louis Exposition of 1904, among others. According to the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum "Ohr closed his pottery in 1910, packed away his collection, and asked that his heirs keep the collection untouched until 50 years after his death". His heirs honored this request and subsequently around 1972, Ojo Ohr sold approximately 7,000 pieces, to James and Miriam Carpenter, and antique dealers from New Jersey who began to market Ohr's work to collectors in the Northeast.

PROVENANCE: Collection of John H. and Carol R. Evans, Farragut, Tennessee.

CONDITION: Overall excellent condition with no visible cracks or chips. [See more photos →]

Two Mid-Atlantic or Southern cobalt decorated stoneware pottery jars including one (1) barrel form storage jar with cobalt decorated rings and numbers on the base edge (indicating a possible museum deaccesion number) and one (1) canning jar with three applied cobalt sprigs to the upper shoulder. 14" H and 10" H. Second half of the 19th century.

PROVENANCE: Private Hawkins County, Tennessee collection.

CONDITION: Both pieces in overall good condition and with shallow chips to rim and base edge. [See more photos →]