A rare stoneware jug with flattened sides and incised decoration of a heart with a bird in the center caught the eye of several collectors as the piece was offered at Nadeau’s Americana sale this past Saturday, October 2.

The jug, which had been broken in half and poorly glued together, had been discovered in a local home. Auctioneer Ed Nadeau did not think much of the piece when he cataloged it, estimated at $200/300, but that changed as interest escalated.

Nadeau opened the lot for bidding at $500 and it took off with several in the gallery competing with three telephones. Nadeau soon raised the advances from $50 to $100, then to $500 and finally to $1,000, without slowing down at all.

Final bidding was between a buyer in the gallery and one phone participant, with the lot selling to the telephone at $27,600.

A complete review of the auction will appear in a future issue.

-DSS