Outstanding Edwin Bennett, Baltimore, MD Cold-Painted Marine Pitcher
Fall 2020 Stoneware Auction
Lot #: 130
Possibly Unique Molded Rockingham Marine Pitcher with Original Painted Surface, attributed to Edwin and William Bennett, Baltimore, MD, mid 19th century, molded pitcher featuring Chesapeake Bay sea life in relief, including fish-head-form spout, a central blue crab, and various full-bodied fish, and snail, clam, and mussel shells, the handle in the form of a winged sea serpent. Animals cold-painted in bronze and silver with delicate black-and-white details to the eyes, all over a green-painted ground. Interior coated in a light-amber Rockingham glaze. Among the most ambitious and ingenious forms in all of American Rockinghamware, this pitcher was created by Staffordshire-trained mold maker, Charles Coxon (1805-1868), for the Bennetts using local sea creatures molded from life. This pitcher was typically produced in a local blue-clayed medium or in Rockingham. This example includes hand-incised details to the eyes of the fish, not seen on the two glazed variants of this form. It is the only painted marine pitcher known, possibly an early or specially-ordered work designed to mimic majolicaware. The laborious task of hand-painting this form suggests it was not produced in this style with any regularity. Excellent condition with expected paint wear. H 10 3/8".
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