Lot #: 273
Price Realized: $649.00
($550 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.
Fine and Extremely Rare Stoneware Child's Presentation Mug, attributed to Frederick Cowden and the John Cowden Pottery, Harrisburg, PA, circa 1861, thin-walled, cylindrical mug with footed base, flared opening, and applied handle, the front featuring the incised and cobalt-highlighted name, "Nannie Creswell". Interior covered in an Albany slip glaze, which assumes a yellow coloration from contact with salt during the firing. This mug is closely-related to a few other miniatures made in 1861 and 1862 by Harrisburg, PA potter, Frederick H. Cowden. The first, a pepper pot with incised decoration, bears an 1861 date as well as the incised inscription, "F.H. Cowden Hr. (an abbreviation for Harrisburg) Oct. 1861". The second, a miniature pitcher and mug set, bear incised decoration and the inscription, "Jennie Dull / Harrisburg, Pa / 1862". This mug follows the form and color of the Jennie Dull example and includes distinctive flourishes following the names also seen on the pieces made for Dull. Frederick Cowden, the son of potter, John Wallace Cowden, was active at his father's shop shortly before his enlistment in the Union Army during the Civil War. He would assume ownership of his father's shop in 1872, using the well-known marks "F.H. COWDEN / HARRISBURG, PA" and "F.H. COWDEN / HARRISBURG" to sign his wares. Few mugs or presentation pieces are known from the Harrisburg stoneware potteries. Very nice condition with a small rim chip, possibly in-the-firing, and a faint 2 1/4" line on reverse. H 3 1/4".
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A Few of the Related Items We've Sold
Extremely Rare COWDEN & WILCOX Stoneware Batterpail with Bird and Grapes Decoration
Rare and Important J. W. COWDEN / HARRISBURG, PA Syrup Jug w/ Muncy, PA Inscription
Monumental 5 Gal. COWDEN & WILCOX / HARRISBURG, PA Stoneware Jug Cooler w/ Large Grapes Motif
Extremely Rare Harrisburg, PA Miniature Pitcher and Mug Set, 1862, attrib. F.H. Cowden
Exceedingly Rare and Important WM. MOYER / HARRISBURG, PA Stoneware Pedestal Water Cooler
Exceptional Cowden & Wilcox Stoneware Batter Pail with Four Birds
Extremely Rare and Important HARRISBURG, PA Stoneware Rooster Jug, John Young, 1856-58
