Terry Ferrell and his son, Steve Ferrell, collected mostly pre-civil war pottery since the 1960s. Their collection was auctioned this past week by Wooten and Wooten in Camden, South Carolina. The Thomas Chandler water cooler was estimated to bring $60,000 to $90,000. These utilitarian crocks sold for between 10 to 12 cents a gallon in their day.
The Ferrells saw the importance of the Edgefield Potteries in South Carolina before other's thought to collect the unique pottery. The Ferrells felt the pottery combined English, African, and Asian techniques and glazes to create pottery unique to the United States. One of the Edgefield's most famous potters was a slave who sometimes signed his pots "Dave" and sometimes scratched poems in the side. Several of Dave's pieces were auctioned in the Ferrell sale.
Above is a face jug from the mid-1800s. Unfortunately I read the paper the day after the auction; I would like to have been there. Not that I could afford any pieces but seeing the pieces in person and experiencing the excitement of the auction would have been fun. Got to run am having he phone and internet service installed to day. More later. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
Interesting collection.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, Thanks for sharing this. I checked and the catalog is online at http://www.wootenandwooten.com/index.php/current-catalogue
ReplyDeleteIt's mesmerizing to be around such old pottery . . . if only the vessels could talk.
ReplyDeleteIt's like watching Antiques Roadshow.
ReplyDeleteThis should be very inspirational to functional potters. I'm off to check Dennis link.
ReplyDeleteHi Gigi, thanks, my preference is more contemporary pottery but I respect the inroads the early potters gave to the modern potters of today
ReplyDeleteHi Dennis, thanks so much for the link, I'll check it out.
Hi Kittie, thanks, you are so right if only these vessels could talk, the family stories and traveling stores they could tell for sure.
Hi Joanne, thanks, I keep hoping I'll find an item I can take to the Roadshow and make a few dollars. Ha.
Hi Lori, thanks, yes an inspiration to all of the potters of today benefiting from the past potters work.
Hi Dennis, I just checked the link, wow, some beautiful pieces there, thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteYour home will look great adorned with your pottery.
ReplyDeletewould have been interesting to be at that auction. Glad to hear you are in your new home at last.
ReplyDeleteHi Dee, thanks, can't wait to get all moved in and settled.
ReplyDeleteHi Anna, thanks, yes it is amazing how much some of the old pots are worth, isn't it.