Exceptional Shenandoah Valley Multi-Glazed Redware Pitcher and Washbowl Set, attributed to J. Eberly & Co., Strasburg, VA, circa 1890, vasiform pitcher with footed base, upswept spout, and applied spurred handle, the surface covered in cream-colored slip and lavishly-decorated with streaks of copper and manganese with clear lead overglaze. Interior and exterior surface covered in a clear lead glaze. Bowl with strap handles embellished with faux screwhead terminals and applied balls of clay, the rear of the bowl with applied soap dish surmounted by "fiddlehead" scrollwork flanked by balls of clay. Surface covered in a cream-colored slip and decorated with streaks of copper and manganese with clear lead overglaze. This pitcher and bowl set ranks as possibly the finest-glazed example of this desirable Shenandoah Valley form known. In our research, we can find no other examples with such profuse application of green copper glaze on the pitcher. This set was chosen as part of a traveling exhibit of Southern folk art in the 1980s, and pictured in the book Southern Folk Art, edited by Cynthia Elyce Rubin and released by Southern Living magazine in 1985. The beauty of this set is made evident by the large color photos chosen for the book on pages 29 and 30. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, purchased by the consignor in the 1980s. Literature: Southern Folk Art, Edited by Cynthia Elyce Rubin, Published by Oxmoor House, Inc., 1985. Bowl pictured on p. 29; Pitcher pictured on p. 30. Professional restoration to areas of rim of pitcher. Short minor line at base of pitcher, probably in-the-firing, and not visible on interior. Additional minor base wear to pitcher. Bowl with professional restoration to rim on front, primarily to underside of rim, as well as some restoration to rim of soapdish, a small reglued chip to soapdish, shallow kiln furniture marks to bottom of foot, a few additional shallow chips to bottom of foot, some wear to reverse of scrollwork, and other very minor surface wear. H (of pitcher) 10 3/4". H (of bowl) 6 7/8" ; Diameter (of bowl) 12 1/2".
