SPARKS, MD. — The Lifetime Southern Ceramics Collection of David and Jongy Ward, comprising more than 110 lots, was auctioned by Crocker Farm in an event that closed May 30. Achieving top-lot status was a face pitcher from Edgefield District, S.C., that Crocker Farm promoted as the auction’s headlining lot, noting that it was “among the finest and most famous Edgefield examples in existence.” Standing 5⅜ inches tall, this “exceedingly rare and important” olive-green alkaline-glazed stoneware pitcher with an unusual broad, flattened spout was formed in the third quarter of the Nineteenth Century and featured an expressive applied clay face with kaolin eyes, an open mouth with kaolin insert and incised teeth and C-scroll ears. The piece had additional provenance to Helen Eve, and John Gordon, whose collection was sold at Christie’s in 1999. In this sale, it rose past its $40/60,000 estimate to earn $90,000, including buyer’s premium. An upcoming issue will feature additional highlights from the Ward collection.
