Very Rare Signed Anna Pottery Stoneware Dung Beetle Group with "Knights of Labor" Political Inscription

March 2, 2013 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 359

Price Realized: $4,025.00

($3,500 hammer, plus 15% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: This result is 11 years old, and the American ceramics market frequently changes. Additionally, small nuances of color, condition, shape, etc. can mean huge differences in price. If you're interested in having us sell a similar item for you, please contact us here.

Auction Highlight: March 2, 2013 Auction | Anna Pottery

March 2, 2013 Auction Catalog

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Very Rare Anna Pottery Dung Beetle Paperweight, Incised on Underside "W. Kirkpatrick / Pioneer Farm," Wallace Kirkpatrick, Anna, Illinois, late 19th century, composed of a soft white, bisque-like clay, featuring two hand-modeled dung beetles flanking a ball of dung atop a circular base with green, black, and brown cold-painted surface. Base incised "Knights of Labor / out on a strike" and "advan wages or we Roll no more". Ball of dung incised "Boycott". Underside incised "W. Kirkpatrick / Pioneer Farm". The term "Pioneer Farm" is well-known among Anna collectors as the name of a large multi-piece stoneware display produced by the Kirkpatricks, which was exhibited at various fairs. Believed to be the largest and most ambitious work of the Kirkpatrick Brothers, the "Pioneer Farm" sculpture disappeared long ago, and is currently lost to the collecting world. What significance this paperweight may have to the group is currently unknown. A highly unusual example. Excellent condition. L 3".