1920's Stamped TEAGUE POTTERY HEMP NC Transitional Jug

Pricing & History

Sold for
Start Free Trial or Sign In to see what it's worth.
Sold Date
Source eBay

Up for auction is a rare and truly important example of early North Carolina art pottery from the transitional period marking the shift from utilitarian to art pieces. I acquired this wonderful jug from the October 2004 auction of the Southern Folk Pottery Collectors Society. A color photo of the piece appeared on the catalogue's rear cover. The auction catalogue described the piece as follows: "High gloss emerald variation lead glaze ovoid stylized one handle jug. Earthenware ca. 1920's. Signed TEAGUE POTTERY HEMP N.C. (impressed, three times) smaller circular mark. This example certainly is a cut above the average jug form, note defined collar-style neck/rim, elongated deep groove-top handle, and a beautiful oval body. The glaze has variations of emerald, sea-green, mustards, and black drips and drools overall. The Westmoore area clay recipe & rock flint concentration. A real show piece. Condition minor rim edge flakes. Size 7 1/2" h x approximately 8" w." While the catalogue sums it up nicely, I would add that the shape of the piece and the skill involved in making it are quite remarkable. The jug is even more bulbous/ovoid than the most dramatic "buggy jug" form that one might come across, and the glaze, collar treatment and handle style combine to give it artistic elements that were lacking in the pre-1900 jugs. Don't underestimate the impressive size of this piece (see final photo for a soda can size comparison) - the jug is so wide and bulbous that it actually holds about 3 1/2 quarts of liquid, and the circumference around the body is an impressive 26 inches (see overhead view for a sense of how wide this jug is). This piece truly has everything the discerning collector could desire - rare maker's stamp (most transitional era pieces are unsigned), gorgeous glaze with dramatic drips, outrageously dramatic form, and excellent condition (I've taken a close-up photo of the trivial rim edge flaking). I'd submit that a piece like this is even significantly rarer than a circa 1880 salt-glazed stoneware buggy jug. The complexity and the jaw-dropping beauty of the piece will ensure that you never grow tired of observing it. Background: Bryan "Duck" Teague was the son of potter John Wesley Teague and the brother of accomplished potters Charlie Teague (first potter employed by the Busbees of Jugtown) and James Teague. Duck Teague worked in his father's shop from 1910 to 1915 and then served in the merchant marine during the First World War. He established the Teague Pottery near Robbins (Hemp), North Carolina in 1928. His wife, Bessie Craven Teague, was the daughter of another very important potter, Daniel Craven (son of J. D. Craven) and Bessie's brother Ferrell Craven (who would later work with Ben Owen, Sr.) was one of the early potters at Teagues, along with Jack Kiser and Jim and Duck Teague (definitely a pottery All-Star team). On page 200 of Everette James' book North Carolina Art Pottery the author states: "Early Teague pieces are rare as evidenced by the fact that most of the Teague examples in Lock's text on Seagrove pottery have pieces fashioned after 1980 as illustrations. If unstamped, they are sometimes difficult to distinguish from Auman and D.Z. Craven, but all are very desirable so the differentiation may be unimportant. The stamp is rare, but interestingly, when seen, is often multiple." I accept PayPal, and it's also possible to pay using personal check or money order. T will be a $12 charge for fully insured shipping by UPS Ground or USPS delivery and the jug will be very carefully bubble-wrapped and double-boxed to ensure safe arrival. I will contact the winning bidder by e-mail shortly after the conclusion of the auction. Good luck! read more

Items in the Price Guide are obtained exclusively from licensors and partners solely for our members’ research needs.

Flag item for content or copyright

If this item contains incorrect or inappropriate information please contact us here to flag it for review.

If you are the originator/copyright holder of this photo/item and would prefer it be excluded from our community, contact us here for removal.