Bidspirit auction | Unusual Bisque ”Daniel O'Connell” Face

Unusual Bisque ”Daniel O'Connell” Face Pitcher Attributed to Pennsylvania - Unusual Bisque ”Daniel O'Connell” Face Pitcher Attributed to Pennsylvania Unglazed bisque-fired buff-colored earthenware/yellowware press-molded in the form of the head of Daniel O'Connell (Irish, 1775-1847), applied molded handle with spurred thumbrest, unmarked base with an old pencil inscription. Circa 1867. Dimensions: 6 1/8” H, 3 3/8” D base. Condition: Undamaged with the exception of a 1” thin vertical line from rim above O'Connell's left temple, possibly a drying line. Provenance: The Stradling Study Collection. Purchased from Robert Kolkenbeck, 09/16/1972. Catalogue Note: This pitcher, originally produced from a mold associated with Philadelphia potter Ralph Bagnall Beech, is intended to depict Irish patriot (and famed abolitionist) Daniel O'Connell. Production of these O'Connell pitchers is most closely associated with a succession of Philadelphia potters starting with Beech (circa 1848) and ending with the Haig family pottery in the 1890s. It is said that Haig purchased the molds sometime ”after Beech gave up potting” in 1857, and continued to produce pitchers from the molds throughout the ensuing decades (Myers 1980, p. 52). Evidently, one of these molds might have left Philadelphia, or perhaps a new mold was cast to copy an existing pitcher for use elsewhere in Pennsylvania - at least if the inscription on this pitcher's base is accurate. Written on the base, in pencil, is the following: ”One of the 1st / Pitchers Made at Phoenix Pottery / By Mr. Schreiber”. Indeed, the Phoenix Pottery (in Phoenixville, PA) was operated by W.A.H. Schreiber from 1867 to 1876. Barber and James both state that under Schreiber's tenure the factory made Rockingham and yellowware as well as figural ”terra cotta” decorations, among other more ambitious types of pottery (Barber 1909, p. 267; James 1945, p. 71). This bisque O'Connell pitcher, according to the inscription on the piece, should date to the factory's earliest days, which would place its date of manufacture around 1867. Auctioneer's Note: We are thrilled to bring the Stradling Study Collection to market in partnership with Connor Rush of SFR Antiques, whose help and scholarship enabled the completion of this session's catalogue. A bibliography for the sale can be found here: ( https://bit.ly/3RYodeh ). For questions about lots 1 through 111 in this sale, or for help accessing the bibliography, please reach out to connor@nyeandcompany.com. Condition: Condition reports are not provided in catalog descriptions. The absence of a condition report does not guarantee that the lot is in good condition or free from damage and wear. We encourage you to request a condition report and/or additional photos prior to bidding on any lot. We also recommend asking for a shipping quote before bidding. CASH, CASHIER CHECK, MONEY ORDER, AND WIRE TRANSFER ARE THE ONLY METHODS OF PAYMENT ACCEPTED FOR JEWELRY.