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Early Cobalt Salt Glazed NC Pottery Candlestick Craven?
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Early Cobalt Salt Glazed NC Pottery Candlestick Craven?
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Offered this week is a gorgeous example of early transitional period North Carolina salt glazed pottery with cobalt overglaze and a mystery on the side. As NC pottery collectors will recognize, the form is a classic transitional period candlestick from the early 20 th century with possible attribution to the Auman shop, Daniel Craven, or early J.B. Cole. A virtually identical form on page 141 of Lock's seminal work, The Traditional Potters of Seagrove, North Carolina , is attributed to Roy Auman, while a similar form with 2 handles appears on page 28 of Lock with attribution to Daniel Craven. Similarities to Craven styling notwithstanding, the cobalt salt glaze treatment is more consistent with the Auman shop during the Masten era or early J.B. Cole wares. While the cobalt treatment is somewhat more subtle than that on some Masten - glazed pieces I've examined, I was heavily inclined toward the Auman (possibly Masten glazed) attribution when I purchased the piece -- then the mark at the base of the handle threw me for a loop! Just to the left of center, w the handle was pressed onto the base of the candlestick, t is an indentation which strongly resembles the impressed reed mark of J.D. Craven (1827-1895) pictured on page 137 of Lock's ...Traditional Potters of Seagrove... It is only a partial mark, but it is clearly visible in the photographs I've provided. According to both Lock and A. Everette James in his North Carolina Art Pottery ... reference book, J. D. Craven was known to impress a reed into the base of the handles on pieces he personally turned to distinguish them from the pieces turned in his shop by other potters. As for the cobalt salt glaze, In North Carolina Pottery, The Collection of the Mint Museums , edited by Barbara Stone Perry, t is a salt glazed sugar bowl bearing the J.D. Craven "star" mark on page 89 with extensive cobalt decorations which is attributed to J.D. Craven himself circa 1882. As you may know, my expertise is in the Sanford branch of the Cole family, not the other famous Randolph County potters. I've never personally examined a stamped J.D. Craven piece bearing his signature reed mark, and I've never seen a Craven piece with a complete cobalt overglaze, but this marvelous and intriguing piece certainly makes me long to know more. If any of you with knowledge of the Aumans and Cravens have ideas or observations you'd like to share, I would welcome your comments. Meanwhile, regardless of the maker and exact date of manufacture, one thing is certain. It is rare to encounter such a pristine example of early American pottery outside of a museum or private collection. Elegant in its simplicity, crafted with the utmost skill, strictly utilitarian in form with well-executed high gloss salt glaze, cobalt overglaze and highly desirable "orange peel" glaze effects, this piece would make an important and valuable addition to any collection of early North Carolina or Southern transitional wares or early American art pottery or stoneware. Condition is remarkable for an early transitional era piece; excellent with no post-production damage or restoration. The only flaws are in the making and visible in the pictures I've provided. T is minor clay separation at the point of upper and lower handle attachment, and a kiln crack on the upper rim associated with a quartz inclusion. Each of these cracks are glazed over and clearly occurred at the time of manufacture. T are the typical small inclusions of quartz and variations in glaze associated with impurities in the clay, but no other chips, cracks, crazing, repairs or restoration. Candlestick stands an impressive 7 inches tall. Base is 3.75 inches wide and the top flares out to a very symmetrical 3.25 inches with a candle opening of 1.25 inches which tapers down into the center of the candlestick. Cobalt fades into plain salt glaze inside the opening. So, whether you're an avid collector or simply love a good mystery, thanks for your interest and good luck bidding. As always, if the purchaser is dissat...
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