Very Important Pair of Stoneware Vases made by Henry Remmey, Jr. for his wife, Catherine
October 28, 2017 Stoneware Auction
Lot #: 42
Important and Unique Pair of Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Presentation Vases with Incised Flowering Vine Motifs, Inscribed "Catherine N. Remmey / June 7th 1871", attributed to Henry Harrison Remmey (1794-1878), Philadelphia, PA, 1871, finely-potted vases, each with a footed base, tooled shoulder and flared rim, decorated around the circumference with an incised and cobalt-highlighted flowering vine motif, as well as at the shoulder and base with a brushed cobalt stripe. The decoration includes detailed incised accents to the flowers as well as scalloped edges and veining to the leaves, traits characteristic of the Remmey family's best work. Each vase incised below with the cobalt-highlighted name of Remmey's wife, "Catherine N. Remmey," along with the date "June 7th 1871". Henry H. Remmey's proficiency at incising, a decorative technique he presumably learned during his youth in Manhattan, is evident in the deftly-carved strokes throughout the vases's surfaces. Interestingly, the four-petaled floral motifs and scalloped leaves with incised interiors can also be found on pieces produced over fifty years earlier at his father's shop in Baltimore, MD, some of which were possibly by his hand. It was also in Baltimore that Remmey met his wife, the daughter of a baker, Catherine Nebbinger Bolgiano Remmey (1801-1872), the person for whom these vases were made. The dates on each vase indicate Remmey produced these vases for his wife at the old age of 78, just one year before her death at age 71. While Remmey's skill at incised decoration did not seem to diminish with age, a slight tremor in the penmanship on his wife's name is evident. These vases are the only pair of this form we have seen by any member of the Remmey family, active in Manhattan, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, circa 1730-1900. A certain sentimentality is expressed through them, as we view the work of a potter in his final years of life, still creating thoughtful gifts for his wife. And, despite their exquisite craftsmanship, the vases still retain that certain "folk art" integrity of the American stoneware medium in their dense potting, simple glazing, and almost utilitarian forms, reminiscent of the churns and jars Remmey threw countless times in his life. Simply stated, this pair represents one of the most important examples of stoneware made by the Remmeys in existence, with such an intimate tie to one of America's founding potting families, including an exceptional provenance. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market lot, purchased by the consignor in the late 1980s; the vases were purchased shortly beforehand directly from the granddaughter of potter, Richard Clinton Remmey (1835-1904), son of Henry Harrison Remmey. Both in excellent condition. One with a 2 1/2" hairline from rim. H (of each) approximately 7 5/8".
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