Exceptional Large-Sized Moravian Redware Bowl with Bird Decoration

Summer 2022 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 160

Price Realized: $2,520.00

($2,100 hammer, plus 20% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: This result is 2 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.

Summer 2022 Auction Catalog

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Exceptional Large-Sized Moravian Redware Bowl with Profuse Three-Color-Slip Bird, Star, and Floral Decorations, probably PA, possibly NC origin, early 19th century, shallow bowl with footed base and rounded rim, the lead-glazed interior decorated in yellow, copper, and manganese slip with a central slip-trailed image of a bird with turned head, surrounded by a ten-pointed star and a series of stylized flower blossoms. Cavetto decorated with a wavy copper-slip line flanked by straight lines of yellow slip. Further decorated above in three-color slip with graduated vertical trails flanking stylized flower blossoms. An old paper label taped to the underside reads, "A moravian deep dish / with Franconia decorative / influence. Possibly made in / Bethlehem, Penna. Also / very possibly made in / Bethania, North Carolina / by Joseph Stockburger, an / apprentice to Rudolph Christ." The words "Possibly made in / Bethlehem, Penna. Also." were crossed out with black marker at some point. While exhibiting a form and some decorative elements related to North Carolina slipware, we can find no closely-related examples of this work documented from this state. Regardless of origin, the prolific and artistic use of slip, compounded by the size of the bowl, define it is a masterwork of early American tableware and among the most intricately-decorated redware dishes that we have ever offered. Provenance: From a recently-surfaced CA collection; Ex-Sotheby's (includes lot sticker on underside). Two adjacent reglued sections to rim, together forming a 7 1/2" x 2 3/4" wedge. Loss to slip on interior and rim. A thin 6" crack to base of bowl, extending partway up side of bowl. A small chip to foot. Diam. 15" ; H 2 3/8".