Rare Group of 8 New Market, Virginia Redware Miniatures, John G. Coffman

Fall 2022 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 227

Price Realized: $1,320.00

($1,100 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.

Fall 2022 Auction Catalog

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Very Rare Group of Eight Shenandoah Valley Redware Miniatures, attributed to John G. Coffman, New Market, VA, third quarter 19th century, three ovoid jars with footed bases and rounded rims; one ovoid jar with footed base, rounded rim, and combed wavy-line incising around shoulder; one flare-rimmed jar with footed base; one spittoon; one chamberpot; and one bowl with footed base. All with lead-glazed surfaces. Bowl inscribed in pencil on underside "Given / to Ada Miller / by Miss / Mary Coffm/an." Mary Coffman was the daughter of New Market potter, John G. Coffman (1803-1889), and she appears in the 1870 census as a 19-year-old young woman living in his household. Ada Miller likewise appears in the 1870 census, as a three-year-old girl living in New Market. Miniature pottery objects like these were often produced in the nineteenth century as children's toys; it is likely that Mary Coffman gave these to young Ada Miller sometime in the early 1870's. These pieces are noteworthy for their survival together as a relatively large group or set as well as for their documentation as a gift from a potter's daughter. Chamberpot with three rim chips and a minuscule nick to handle. All in otherwise excellent, essentially as-made condition, one jar including a minor in-the-making nick to foot. H (of tallest) 3 5/8" ; Dimensions (of bowl): Diam. 3 1/2" x H 1 1/4".