Exceedingly Rare James River, Virginia Stoneware Inkwell with Spotted Decoration

March 25, 2017 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 118

Price Realized: $2,950.00

($2,500 hammer, plus 18% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: This result is 7 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.

March 25, 2017 Auction Catalog

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Exceedingly Rare Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Inkwell, attributed to Benjamin DuVal's Richmond Stoneware Manufactory, Richmond, VA, circa 1811-1820, cylindrical form with tooled edge, fashioned with four quill holes surrounding a central ink hole, the top surface decorated with thirteen cobalt slip spots. This inkwell, previously excavated in Norfolk, VA, is possibly the only cobalt-decorated example of the form known from Virginia's James River Valley. Literature: The inkwell's spotted decoration is closely related to the fingerprint designs on sherds excavated at the DuVal site, described and illustrated by Rob Hunter and Marshall Goodman in "The Destruction of the Benjamin DuVal Stoneware Manufactory", Ceramics in America 2005, figs. 55-57; Similar heavy wire marks as seen on the underside of this inkwell can be observed on various sherds excavated at the DuVal site, illustrated in Hunter and Goodman, figs. 12-13. Restored rim and base chips. Restored chips to center hole. H 7/8" ; Diam. 3 3/8".