Very Rare Pair of Moravian Redware Squirrel Bottles, attributed to Rudolph Christ, Salem, NC, circa 1804-1829, both in the form of a standing squirrel on oval base with applied ears and molded paws clasped below the figure's mouth, the tail with heavily-incised fur and impressed circle detail. Both covered in a lead glaze over an orange clay surface flecked with iron. One assumes a lighter orange color, while the other features a heavier glaze and darker orange hue. The darker example also includes a single manganese daub on the side, presumably a drip from another piece during the firing, as well as some flecks on kaolin inherent in the clay body. A scarce and highly-prized Southern ceramic form. Both were recently discovered together, having been in the consignor's family since the 1930s. Given their similarity in glaze and the identical molds from which they were cast, both were presumably made and sold together. While a number of individual Moravian squirrel bottles exist, these two are the first we have seen that could truly be classified as a pair. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market pair, recently discovered in a Florida home. Darker example with base chips, wear to one ear, and very minor wear to opposite ear. Lighter example with two base chips, shallow chipping to one ear, light wear to opposite ear, and two spout chips. Height (of each) approx. 7 3/8".
