Rare and Important Glazed Redware Figure of a Recumbent Dog with Basket, probably John Bell Pottery, Waynesboro, PA, circa 1840-1880, hand-modeled figure of dog wearing a collar, reclining on an oblong base, with basket of apples between its front legs. Impressed and incised details to face, heavily-incised detail to fur, impressed circular details to collar, and incised toes. Basket filled with hand-modeled apples with impressed accents, and heavily-detailed with scoring to top of rim and three rows of different impressed designs on its exterior. Base edged with impressed circles. Body of dog decorated with a manganese accents and a cream-colored slip highlight to breast. Surface covered in a clear lead glaze. A small pierced vent hole appears behind the dog's front leg on each side. Aspects of the form, glaze, and basket, lead to a likely origin at the shop of renowned Shenandoah Valley regional potter, John Bell. The recumbent form of this dog, in which the animal appears to be guarding or feeding from the fruit basket, is rare in the work of this pottery. Provenance: A recently-surfaced example, purchased by the consignor in 1985. Handles to basket missing. Basket reglued to base. A 1" flake to underside along back edge of base. A few other minor base chips. Some expected minor surface wear to dog. Some smooth, in-the-firing clay residue to head of dog. L 6 3/4" ; H 3 5/8".
