Exceedingly Rare and Important Glazed Redware Flowerpot, attributed to Heinrich Schaffner, Salem, NC, circa 1860, molded, goblet-form flowerpot with relief geometric designs including crosshatched circles and diamonds, the surface covered in a mottled lead-and-manganese glaze. Original drain hole in underside. Flowerpot includes an early, possibly 19th century tag, which reads, "This piece of pottery / was made by Mr. Henry / Shaffner / of Switzerland / in the year 1860." A second, later piece of ruled paper reads, "Mr Henry Shaffner was born 1798 / Came to Salem N.C. June 16th 1833." Few decorative redware flowerpots are known south of the state of Virginia. This example, combining high-styled form, important maker, and excellent provenance, is among the most finest Southern-made flowerpots that we have ever offered. Literature: Illustrated and discussed in Brown, Tradition and Adaptation in Press-Molded Moravian Earthenware, Ceramics in America 2009, p. 133, fig. 60. Regarding this piece, Brown writes, "He made the mold for one flowerpot using a pressed-glass goblet (fig. 60)." Provenance: Ex-Collection of Brad Rauschenberg; Ex-Collection of Frank Horton, founder of the Museum of the Early Southern Decorative Arts, Winston-Salem, NC. Glaze loss to base. Minor glaze loss to the rim and very minor glaze loss to the body of the flowerpot. H 5" ; Diam. (at rim) 3 3/4".
