Solid prices were recorded at Crocker Farm’s auction of antique American stoneware and redware this past Saturday, March 3. Leading the way was an early bulbous stoneware pitcher, standing close to 12 inches tall, that was attributed to Samuel Bell and made in either Winchester or Strasburg, Va., circa 1835.

The large pitcher featured a tooled rim and spout with cobalt foliate decoration and also applied facial features on the front of vessel consisting of a large forehead, applied eyes, nose, ears lips and a pronounced chin or goatee. The back of the pitcher was elaborately cobalt-decorated with a large tulip plant with sprigs extending to both sides of where the handle, now missing, was applied.

Estimated at $15/25,000, the pitched opened for bidding at $5,000 with several in the gallery chasing the lot. Three telephone bidders were also active, one of whom claimed the lot after intense bidding ended at $63,250.

A complete review of Crocker Farm’s auction will appear in a future issue. ‼i>DSS