Extremely Rare Incised Bird Churn attrib. John Floyd, Knox County, TN or OH origin, c1840-60

Spring 2020 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 3

Price Realized: $1,920.00

($1,600 hammer, plus 20% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: This result is 4 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.

Spring 2020 Auction Catalog

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Extremely Rare Four-Gallon Stoneware Churn with Incised Bird Decoration, attributed to John Floyd, Knox County, TN or OH origin, circa 1840-1860, semi-ovoid churn with flared collar and arching tab handles, decorated with a distinctive incised design of ring-necked bird with crest, perched on a stylized leaf. Reverse incised "4," indicating four gallons. The incised bird design on this churn matches that found on a documented water cooler dated "1842" and attributed to potter, John Floyd, at the Graves Pottery of Knox County, TN. The cooler was exhibited beside a second, signed John Floyd cooler at "Tennessee Turned: Earthenware and Stoneware Made in East Tennessee, circa 1800-1900," held at the Museum of East Tennessee History in 2011. A closely-related bird cooler, dated 1840, was also sold in Crocker Farm, Inc.'s October 22, 2016 auction, lot #458. Floyd was an itinerant potter who worked in both Tennessee and Ohio. As this churn is not dated, it is difficult to determine which state it was made in. Nevertheless, the bird is undeniably in this potter's hand. A 2 1/2" x 1 7/8" restored section to rim above left handle, including a 1 1/4" hairline descending from it. A slightly-raised area on underside.