Pottery

East Tennessee, Blount or Knox County, tall tapering cylindrical stoneware pottery jar, with impressed decoration just below the rim above an impressed half-crescent mark "W. Grinstaff" for William Grindstaff. Unknown stamp pattern at the end of the Grindstaff name and a "1" denoting gallon capacity. Unusual circular handle on left side. 12 3/4" H. Late 19th century.

CONDITION: Overall very good condition with scattered firing imperfections, including one missing handle (appears to be in the making) and one larger firing flaw along the base edge below the missing handle. [See more photos →]

East Tennessee stoneware pottery pitcher attributed to Charles Frederick Decker of Washington County (1832-1914) ovoid body with footed base having multiple incised lines around the neck and upper shoulder, and cobalt decoration including a band of dots around the upper shoulder, vertical lines to each side of the spout and three flowers to the lower body. 9" H x 7 1/4" dia. Late 19th century. Biography (Courtesy of Carole Wahler): Charles Frederick Decker was born in Germany in 1832. He arrived in Philadelphia in his late teens. Oral tradition suggests he worked at the Remmey Pottery before establishing his Keystone pottery there at the age of 25. He moved his family to Delaware for a few years and then back to Philadelphia. After 1869, Decker moved to Virginia, six miles north of Abingdon. The pottery he operated there was located on land owned by a man named Mallicote (Mallicoat). In 1872, he established his pottery in the Nolichucky River Valley near present day Johnson City, Tennessee. For a year or so he operated in both Virginia and Tennessee. He was one of a number of potters who settled in the region during the early years of Reconstruction. He named his Chucky Valley pottery the same name that he had used in Pennsylvania, Keystone Pottery. His pottery was marketed not only in East Tennessee, but also in North Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky.

PROVENANCE: Private Hawkins County, Tennessee collection.

CONDITION: Approximate 2" hairline emanating from the lower body to the base, otherwise overall good condition. [See more photos →]

East Tennessee decorated stoneware jar or crock, attributed to Charles Frederick Decker (1832-1914) of Keystone Pottery, Washington County, TN. 2-Gallon salt-glazed form with cobalt decorated flower of several petals to each side of the body, and cobalt decoration on top and base of each lug handle with cobalt feather below. 12" H. 19th century.

PROVENANCE: Private Hawkins County, Tennessee collection.

CONDITION: Scattered chipping to the rim, remnants of old gold paint on bottom edge. [See more photos →]

Grouping of three (3) East Tennessee cobalt decorated stoneware pottery items, including two (2) preserving jars and one (1) cream pot with floral cobalt decoration to the bodies. All attributed to the Decker pottery of Washington County (1832-1914). Late 19th century. Ranging in size from 6 3/8" x 9 1/2" W to 10 1/2" H x 6 1/2" W.

PROVENANCE: Private Hawkins County, Tennessee collection.

CONDITION: Each preserving jar with a shallow chip to outside rim, one jar with overall firing imperfections and errant white paint, the remaining jar with one chip to the base. The cream pot has scattered rim chips. [See more photos →]

Grouping of three (3) East Tennessee stoneware pottery jars, possibly Greene County. 1st item: Stoneware pottery jar, unsigned but attributed to the Harmon pottery, with two applied lug handles, two lines below the tall rim and cobalt sprig decoration to the body. 13 3/4" H. 2nd item: Stoneware pottery jar, unsigned but possibly George W. McFarland (1875-1899) who was associated with the M. P. Harmon pottery, tall rim with lug handles and cobalt "3" flanked by two cobalt sprigs to the upper shoulder indicating capacity. 14 7/8" H. 3rd item: Small stoneware pottery jar with spout and incised writing to the body reading BROMIDE FIXING LSH. 5 3/4" H. All pieces Late 19th century.

PROVENANCE: Private Hawkins County, Tennessee collection.

CONDITION: 1st item: A couple of chips to rim, scattered firing imperfections, otherwise overall good condition. 2nd item: Both handles with scattered flakes, one shallow chip to rim, hairline to rim extending into the shoulder area. 3rd item: Overall very good condition. [See more photos →]

Tennessee, Blount County, stoneware jug with cobalt sprig decoration and cobalt cursive "2", denoting capacity, just below the spout. Base with incised initials KKE (Eagleton family of Maryville). 14" H. Late 19th/Early 20th century.

PROVENANCE: The Collection of Susan and David Eagleton, Maryville, Tennessee.

CONDITION: Some scattered chipping to rim. Scattered firing imperfections and other imperfections to the body, in the making. [See more photos →]

Southwest Virginia/East Tennessee stoneware pottery jug with tri-tulip cobalt decoration to one side of the body, pulled handle, possibly Decker pottery of Washington County, TN. 12" H. 3rd quarter, 19th century.

PROVENANCE: Private Hawkins County, Tennessee collection.

CONDITION: Overall good condition, faint spider hairline to the upper left shoulder, scattered firing imperfections. [See more photos →]

1st item: East Tennessee stoneware pottery crock having a transitional stoneware/redware color, stamped "Weaver & Bro" for David and George Weaver (Knoxville, working 1876-1887) 5" H x 10 1/2" W. 2nd item: East Tennessee stoneware pottery jar having a transitional stoneware/redware color and rolled rim with incised lines below. Stamped "Weaver & Bro./Knoxville" for David and George Weaver (Knoxville, working 1876-1887) and "2" denoting capacity. 11 1/2" H. Note: The Weaver Pottery was listed in the Knoxville Business Directory from 1876-1887 with David Weaver listed as the proprietor and George C. Weaver as a potter. (Ref. Smith & Rogers, Survey Of Historic Pottery Making In Tennessee 1979", Division Of Archeology, Tennessee Department Of Conservation).

PROVENANCE: Private Hawkins County, Tennessee collection.

CONDITION: 1st item: Glaze wear and exfoliation, primarily to the interior and rim, otherwise overall good condition. 2nd item: Scattered chipping to top, scattered firing flaws, a couple of hairlines emanating from rim into the midsection and a crack extending from the base into the midsection. [See more photos →]

East Tennessee stoneware pottery jar with two incised lines below the rim. Stamped WEAVER & BRO / KNOXVILLE for David and George Weaver, working Knoxville, TN, 1876-1887. 8 1/2" H.

CONDITION: One 5/8" chip to rim, otherwise overall very good condition. [See more photos →]

Two (2) East Tennessee East Tennessee stoneware pottery items. 1st item: Salt-glazed stoneware crock with two incised lines around the shoulder and cobalt dot decoration below the rim and between the incised lines. 9 3/4" H x 10 1/4" dia. 2nd item: Stoneware flower pot on raised base or urn with ruffled rim, possibly Decker pottery of Washington County, Tennessee. 8 3/4" H x 10 1/4" W. Both late 19th century.

PROVENANCE: Private Hawkins County, Tennessee collection.

CONDITION: 1st item: Old repaired break to the base, chip to rim. 2nd item: Scattered shallow chips to rim, errant green paint to small area of rim. [See more photos →]

1st and 2nd items: Two (2) Middle Tennessee stoneware pottery items, including one (1) three-gallon storage jar with incised 3 (denoting capacity), incised sine wave decoration below the rim, and two small lug handles (14 1/2" H) plus one (1) lidded pitcher having a transitional tan to light brown glaze, one applied handle and two incised concentric lines around the upper shoulder (10 1/2" H). 3rd item: Small East Tennessee vinegar jug or souvenir jug having light brown glaze and black interior glaze stamped "Tennessee Pottery Hand Made" on lower margin. (4 1/2" H) 4th item: Miscellaneous stoneware pottery jar lid having a light brown glaze (3 1/4" Dia). All pieces late 19th/early 20th century.

PROVENANCE: The Collection of Richard H. and Kathleen L. Hulan.

CONDITION: 1st item: Small chips to corners of both handles. 2nd item: Overall very good condition. 3rd item: Kiln residue to underside, one chip to base measuring 1/4". 4th item: Scattered old chipping to rim. [See more photos →]

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Two (2) West Tennessee stoneware unglazed bisque face vessels, likely Paris Pottery or Pinson Pottery, including one face vessel or sculptural head with prominent nose and open mouth with open base, presumably to put over a fence post, and one unglazed bisque face jug with brown glazed highlights including sideburns. Each price marked on the base, "$2.00". 10" H x 8 1/4" W and 8 3/4" H. 1st half 20th century.

PROVENANCE: The Collection of Richard H. and Kathleen L. Hulan.

CONDITION: Both pieces in overall very good condition. Jug with unknown black residue to spout and handle, possibly in the making. [See more photos →]

Lanier Meaders (White County, Georgia, 1917-1998) folk art pottery double face jug, green matte glaze with kaolin eyes and quartz teeth having two handles. Signed "Lanier Meaders" with numbering to underside. 9 1/4" H x approx. 8 " dia. Provenance: Consignor purchased directly from the artist from his Georgia shop in 1973.

CONDITION: Scattered minor firing cracks, largest measuring 2" L. Two minor areas of glaze pooling at eyes. [See more photos →]

Two-color slip South Carolina Edgefield District stoneware pottery jar having an olive green alkaline glaze to the body and brushed iron and kaolin slip swag and loop decoration below the flaring rim. Retains one pulled handle with the other lost in firing. 11 1/2″ H. Mid-19th century.

CONDITION: Retains one applied handle which has a couple of light hairlines, the other handle absent, in the making. Glaze imperfections. [See more photos →]

Two (2) J. B. Magee (J.B. Magee, Washington Co., VA) salt glazed stoneware crocks, both having floral cobalt decoration around the body, one impressed J B MAGEE below the rim. Both 7 1/2" H x 7 3/4" dia. Late 19th century. For an example of Magee pottery, refer to "Great Road Style: The Decorative Arts Legacy of Southwest Virginia & Northeast Tennessee", Betsy K. White, University of Virginia, p. 144.

PROVENANCE: Private Hawkins County, Tennessee collection.

CONDITION: Signed example with one chip to body, otherwise overall good condition. Unsigned pot with tight hairline to base extending approx. 3" to lower body, the interior with remnants of red paint, glaze exfoliation and chip to rim. [See more photos →]

North Carolina, Lincoln County, 5-gallon stoneware pottery jug with dark olive alkaline glaze and two pulled strap handles, together with an incised "5" below the spout denoting capacity. Possible additional mark denoting potter initials but not decipherable. 17 1/4" H. 3rd Quarter 19th century.

PROVENANCE: Private Illinois Collection.

CONDITION: Overall very good condition with some scattered firing imperfections. [See more photos →]

Eagle Pottery (James Hamilton, Greensboro, PA) stoneware pottery jug, ovoid form with cobalt stenciled decoration to the body depicting an eagle with outstreatched wings holding a banner in his beak that reads EAGLE POTTERY, with additional wavy cobalt line above and cobalt stenciled 2 (denoting capacity) with line decoration below. 14 1/2" H. Late 19th century.

CONDITION: Light chipping and glaze wear to the rim. Some indentations to the body and scattered firing flaws that appear to be in the making. [See more photos →]

Two (2) stoneware pottery jars with salt glaze and cobalt decoration including one (1) R.W. Russell, Beaver, PA, 5-gallon jar with applied lug handles and foliate cobalt decoration to front and base of handles, stamped with maker below rim (19" H), and one (1) Hamilton & Jones 2- gallon jar cobalt stenciled "Jas. Hamilton/Greensboro, PA/ 2" with sine wave design and line decoration to base, shoulder, and rim (12" H). Both items mid-late 19th century.

CONDITION: 1st item: One chip to base, and large 2" square chip to rim. 2nd item: Chipping to rim including one large chip measuring 2" L, hairline crack running from rim to the midsection through the stenciling decoration. [See more photos →]

1st item Mid-Atlantic, probably Baltimore, 2-Gallon salt glazed stoneware jar having cobalt sprig decoration and 2 to the the body together with an impressed 2 on the upper shoulder. 11 1/4" H. Mid 19th century. 2nd item: Mid-Atlantic, Maryland or Pennsylvania salt glazed stoneware cake crock with cobalt sprig decoration to the body. 4" H x 6 3/4" dia. Mid-19th century. 3rd item: Mid-Atlantic, likely Maryland or Virginia, jar with cobalt swag and foliate decoration below the rim and cobalt accents below the applied handles and to the handle terminus, approximately 5 gallon capacity. 14 1/4" H. 2nd half 19th century.

PROVENANCE: Private Illinois Collection.

CONDITION: 1st item: Overall very good condition. 2nd item: overall good condition, lacking a lid. 3rd item: One shallow fleabite to rim and one hairline emanating from rim, approx. 2". [See more photos →]

Tall Carl Schmidt Rookwood vellum glaze scenic vase depicting sailboats on a sea at sunset. Impressed manufacturer's mark, date, and number to underside with Flame mark, XVIII for 1918 and 900V A with incised artist's initials CS and V for vellum glaze. "1775" in marker to underside. 13 1/2" H. Biography: Charles Schmidy, born in 1875 in Germany, seems to have changed his given name to Carl shortly after joining Rookwood in 1896. Known for his fine scenic landscape and marine decorations under vellum glaze, Carl is considered one of the premiere Rookwood Pottery artists. He left Rookwood in 1927 to join R. F. Johnston Paint Co. and later worked for the Cincinnati Times Star. (adapted from askArt.com)

PROVENANCE: Private Nashville, Tennessee collection.

CONDITION: Fine crazing; minute scattered surface wear and minute fleabite loss to water. Tight hairline 2 3/4" L. [See more photos →]

Grouping of five (5) Kenneth Allen (1946-2000) studio pottery items with sgraffito, carved geometric, colored slip and Native American style decoration on buff colored clay grounds including: one (1) tall ovoid lidded jar form lamp with diagonal Yei figural decoration within geometric borders with slip colors of red and black, signed and dated '71 along the lower edge; one (1) round low covered bowl with decoration depicting Native American braves on horseback to the center in black within red geometric borders and the lid with carved geometric labyrinth decoration with red and black slip, signed and dated on the base ALLEN '85; one (1) tall conical form jar with black Yei style figural decoration to the center within red and green geometric borders signed and dated ALLEN '95 ; one (1) tall conical form jar with narrow opening depicting black slip Native American warriors on horseback hunting deer to the center within red geometric borders, signed and dated on the base ALLEN '87; and one (1) small unglazed effigy jar with animal head decoration to the rim, signed on the base ALLEN '94. Ranging in size from 4 3/4" H x approx. 7" dia. to 19 1/2" H x approx. 9" dia. Artist Biography: Kenneth Allen was born in Chicago and attended the University of Illinois for two years, majoring in graphic design. He subsequently served as an officer in the 82nd Airborne division for two years. After his military service, he moved to Johnson City, TN and obtained his BFA and MFA in ceramics at East Tennessee University. After graduation, he moved to Rogersville, TN and later Banner Elk, NC where he made sgraffito stoneware pieces that were "Precolumbian and ethnic influenced".

PROVENANCE: Private Hawkins County, Tennessee collection.

CONDITION: All items in overall excellent condition. [See more photos →]

A.B. Wheeler & Co. Boston Mass 2-gallon salt glazed stoneware jug with cobalt bird on branch decoration to body and impressed A. B. WHEELER/69 BROAD STREET/BOSTON,MASS 2 below the spout. 13 1/2" H. 2nd half 19th century.

PROVENANCE: Private Illinois Collection.

CONDITION: Overall very good condition, some scattered glaze and firing imperfections. [See more photos →]

Two (2) cobalt decorated salt glaze pottery jars including one (1) lidded 1-gallon jar with two foliate cobalt leaf decorations and lid with light brown glaze, unmarked (9" H); and one (1) 1-gallon jar with foliate cobalt decoration, unmarked (8" H). Possibly Mid-Atlantic, mid-late 19th century.

CONDITION: 1st item: lid with chipping to nob handle. 2nd item: Hairline crack beginning at rim and extending into decoration at upper shoulder 4 1/2"L. Two minor areas of loss of glaze, largest 1/4" dia. [See more photos →]

Grouping of four (4) pottery items, including one (1) earthenware cream pot with lead glaze, one (1) small handled earthenware pot with lead glaze, one (1) earthenware pitcher with olive green glaze and stamped on the base "Gleaves" (Gleaves Colonial Art Pottery, Landsdale, PA), and one (1) stoneware oil or grease lamp with lead glaze. Ranging in size from 3 3/4" to 8 3/4" H. Three items mid to late 19th century, pitcher early 20th century.

PROVENANCE: Private Illinois Collection.

CONDITION: Cream pot with glaze exfoliation to the rim but overall very good condition. Small pot with chip to rim. Pitcher with scattered fleabites to the rim. Grease lamp with shallow chip to rim. [See more photos →]