Extremely Rare and Important Tin-Glazed Redware Ladies Spittoon with Cobalt and Manganese Decoration, Stamped "J. BELL," John Bell, Waynesboro, PA, circa 1840, small-sized, cylindrical form with footed base, semi-rounded rim, and applied strap handle, the side with carved semi-circular opening, the interior with recessed circular opening. Surface covered in a whitish tin-based glaze, decorated around the body and top edge with cobalt sponging, and around the top interior with manganese sponging. Impressed on side with early-period "J. BELL" maker's mark. Possibly the finest American ceramic spittoon known, this work is noteworthy for its rare use of a tin glaze with cobalt decoration in the Delft style. It is the only documented example of its kind in Bell's production. Literature: Illustrated and discussed in Comstock, The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, pg. 158, fig. 4.223. Provenance: From an eighty-plus year private collection. Very nice condition with a rim chip, minor base chip, and tiny base nick. The glazed surface survives in remarkable, essentially untouched condition, appearing as it would when the spittoon was made. Diam. 5 1/4" ; H 2 3/4".
