Extremely Rare attrib. Adam Kern Redware Egg Cup, Winchester, VA or Thurmont, MD

Spring 2023 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 316

Price Realized: $600.00

($500 hammer, plus 20% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: The American ceramics market frequently changes, often dramatically. 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.

Spring 2023 Auction Catalog

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Extremely Rare Glazed Redware Egg Cup, attributed to Adam Kern, possibly with Anthony Bacher, Winchester, VA or Thurmont, MD, circa 1881-1883, thinly-potted, ovoid form with pedestal base, the lead-glazed surface decorated with speckled manganese over cream-colored slip. The distinctive glaze of this piece is closely-related to that seen on a few surviving flowerpots bearing the mark, "BAECHER & KERN / WINCHESTER, VA," made during Adam Kern's partnership with Anthony Bacher in 1883. According to Comstock's The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, Kern, like Bacher, was a native of Bavaria. He was employed at the Big Hunting Creek Pottery in Mechanicstown, MD in 1882, the year it closed, while it was under the ownership of J.E. Simons. In 1883, he moved to Frederick County, Virginia to become Anthony Bacher's partner. An advertisement noted in Comstock reads, "We are requested to announce that Mr. Anthony Bacher, the well known Potter has taken in as partner, Mr. Adam Kern of Pennsylvania who is a native of Bavaria, Germany and a skilled potter. The new firm is preparing to do an extensive business the coming season, as they expect to manufacture pots and enough earthen-ware to supply the entire Valley." This partnership, however, was very short-lived, dissolving by 1884, when Kern moved to Pennsylvania (Comstock, pg. 430). This is the first egg cup that we have seen produced by Kern. Excellent, essentially as-made condition. H 2 1/8".