The October 29 Crocker Farm stoneware and redware auction includes some very important pieces and several significant new discoveries in American ceramics. Lots include an important example of American stoneware to our website, a large folk art sculpture of a log cabin featuring human and animal figures.

Crocker Farm says of the piece “Recently found in the Midwest, this cabin group includes a rider on horseback, a fiddler seated on a barrel, a woman milking a cow, a dog, and various applied figures of women and children. The sculpture shares similarities to the work of Wallace and Cornwall Kirkpatrick of Anna, Illinois, and was either made or influenced by this potting firm. As some will note, it is also highly reminiscent of the redware log cabin groups produced by J. Eberly & Co. of Strasburg, VA, one of which is in the collection of the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. However, this example’s Midwestern origin is undeniable. We believe it is possibly the finest example of American pottery we have ever offered.”

American Stoneware at Its Best. Salt-Glazed Stoneware Log Cabin Group with Applied Human and Animal Figures, possibly Wallace and Cornwall Kirkpatrick, Anna, IL, circa 1880. L 10 3/4″ ; H 10 1/4″ ; W 10 1/2″. The scene includes a coated rider (probably meant to depict a Union soldier) on horseback, a fiddler seated on a barrel, a woman milking a cow, a dog, a feeding trough, and several applied figures of women and children. The cabin is further embellished with a tree on the left side, a raccoon pelt, a barrel chimney, and a sign incised “Whiskey”. Surface decorated with cobalt blue and brown slip, as well as some areas of green slip visible on the tree and stumps. Traces of black and brown cold paint are also visible to the figures and cabin.

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