Exceptional Southwestern PA Tanware Lidded Butter Crock Stenciled "Saddie Ostermaier"

Fall 2021 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 143

Price Realized: $2,760.00

($2,300 hammer, plus 20% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: This result is 3 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.

Fall 2021 Auction Catalog

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Rare Lidded Tanware Presentation Butter Crock, Stenciled "SADDIE / OSTERMAIER," Greensboro or New Geneva, PA origin, circa 1885, cylindrical form with footed base and semi-rounded rim with vertical flange, the front featuring the stenciled Albany slip name, "SADDIE OSTERMAIER," between freehand stripes and vining, flanked by foliate device. Remainder of crock decorated with a large, undulating fuchsia vine design. Original slightly-domed lid features elaborate freehand fern and graduated stripe decoration. Sarah "Sadie" Hutchinson was born in Pittsburgh in 1859 to Edwin Hutchinson, a Welsh-born railroad engineer and his wife, Elizabeth. On April 17, 1879 Sadie married Robert Ostermaier in Pittsburgh and the couple resided on 46th Street in Lawrenceville until the end of the century. (Robert Ostermaier was a relatively low-level government figure who served in various positions including Assistant Postmaster in the Grover Cleveland administration and Police Magistrate of Pittsburgh.) A short biography of Robert and also Sarah Ostermaier appears in an 1897 Biographical Review ... Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of Pittsburg[h]. A rare form in Western Pennsylvania tanware. The inclusion of a presentation name and the crock's original lid make this a noteworthy example of the form. Two losses to inner rim, as well as a smaller rim chip and worn area. A 2" base chip and small base chip. Some exfoliation to surface. Lid with a chip and minor nick to knob as well as some light roughness to surface. Some exfoliation to interior base. H (including lid) 7 1/2" ; Diam. 9 1/4".