Bidspirit auction | Rare Rockingham-Glazed Stoneware Figure Signed

Rare Rockingham-Glazed Stoneware Figure Signed ”W.H.F.” (W.H. Farrar, Geddes, NY) - Rare Rockingham-Glazed Stoneware Figure Signed ”W.H.F.” (W.H. Farrar, Geddes, NY) Speckled brown Rockingham glaze over buff stoneware body, press-molded in the form of a woman wearing traditional Scottish ”Highlander” clothing and feather headdress, holding a book of sheet music, with a small sheep at her feet. Incised script signature to rear reading ”W.H.F. / Geddes / NY”. Circa 1858-1867. Dimensions: 9 1/8” H, 3 1/2” x 2 3/4” base. Condition: Undamaged except for some minor flaking to base edge and a small chip to the leftmost extremity of the figure's skirts at midsection. Provenance: The Stradling Study Collection. Skinner Auction, 08/14/2011. Literature: One of the most easily recognizable figural forms in New York State stoneware - some salt-glazed and cobalt-decorated examples are known, which seem to be about equally as rare as the Rockingham-glazed versions. Farrar operated potteries in Geddes and Syracuse for a number of years, and made Rockingham at both (Ketchum 1987, p. 304). Attesting to its enduring popularity as a piece of sculptural American pottery, an example is pictured in R.L. Bishop - American Folk Sculpture, p. 216, fig. 401. 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.