The Benny Long Collection Catalogue by JeffSEvans

Preserving the Past: The Collection of Benny Long

The pursuit of extraordinary antiques and art in today’s world usually involves a search engine, a list of notifications, and AI-generated assistance. In Benny Long’s day, that pursuit involved newspapers and knocking on doors. Indeed, many of the most iconic pieces in the Long Collection, including the Augusta Co., Virginia Roller Family punched-tin-paneled valuables safe (Lot 1064) and the Shenandoah Co., Virginia Foltz Family sulphur-inlaid hanging cupboard (Lot 1058), were discovered precisely in this way, with Mr. Long, often operating on a tip or just a hunch, standing on the front porch of an ancient family home, inquiring about the “old stuff” within. Undoubtedly, part of what makes the Long Collection so special is its insistence on the very notion of place, of family, of history. From his conservation efforts in the town of New Market, Virginia to the establishment of a private museum dedicated to interpreting our material past, Benny Long was always grounded in place and history, specifically the Shenandoah Valley. Mr. Long worked hard to uncover these amazing pieces, and his collection is a testament to the manner in which a truly great object from the past can both physically embody the cultural attributes of its specific region and period and still remain impactful to us in ways that reach across time.

Born Hoyle Burton Long, Jr. in Shenandoah Co., Virginia, Benny, as he came to be known, never strayed far from his home county and lived in the area throughout his life. After attending Augusta Military Institute and graduating from Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal, Virginia, Benny started work in the town of New Market, an important 18th and 19th century community, known originally as “Crossroads”, that sits at the juncture of the north-south “Great Wagon Road” and the “Old Cross Road”, a primary east-west route that traversed the nearby Massanutten Mountain ridge, allowing access to the Luray Valley. It was undoubtedly in New Market, an area rich in history and early material culture, that Mr. Long became interested in antiques and art, and it was in New Market that he decided to remain as a businessman and a resident.

After working in various capacities during the early period of his adulthood, Mr. Long turned his attention more fully to the historic properties in and around his beloved New Market and to the acquisition of material objects that would have likely furnished

these buildings. Benny’s biggest development project during this period was the total renovation of the Strayer House in downtown New Market. An important undertaking that garnered numerous accolades from the local community, the Strayer House provided an ideal location to display Mr. Long’s growing collection of antiques. Consequently, he established the “Bedrooms of America Museum and Pottery,” with the upper 11 rooms of the 18th century, 38room stone structure featuring various period settings, while the downstairs was devoted to selling antiques as well as modern pottery, reproduction furniture, and gift wares. It was during this period that Benny Long became a well-known collector and purveyor of fine American antiques, often traveling far afield to New England, Ohio, and Pennsylvania to acquire inventory. While the museum shop in New Market included more general merchandise, his antiques shop just north of town became a regular stop for those in pursuit of the best. Among the frequent visitors to his house shop were important figures such as Marshall Goodman, Robert “Bobby” Crawford, and Dr. Henry Deyerle, the latter having assembled one of the finest collections of Americana and folk art in the country, which was ultimately offered in a landmark single-owner Sotheby’s auction in 1995. Suffice it to say that most everyone involved with the antiques business in the final decades of the 20th century knew, or had heard of, Benny Long.

What you see in the following pages represents the small but spectacular selection of everything Benny loved dearly – those extraordinary objects that were not for sale and would remain in his private collection for many, many decades. Overall, the Long Collection includes several masterworks from the Southern backcountry, all fresh from the original families and essentially undisturbed, a remarkable occurrence in the modern world. Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates is honored to present the collection of Benny Long, and it is our sincere wish that the extraordinary objects offered in the pages that follow get the recognition that they deserve. What’s more, we also hope that this printed catalogue serves to strengthen the legacy of Mr. Long as an important collector and student of Shenandoah Valley decorative arts.

- William F. Kimbrough

Benny Long

1001. RARE JEROME AREA, SHENANDOAH CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA RIB-TYPE WOVEN-SPLINT BASKET, white oak, of extremely-fine tightly-ribbed radiating-rib kidney form, the squat body of the basket with deep lobed sides covers approximately half of the round of the handle; the handle itself is doubled in the body, tied together at the rim juncture with a thin white string under the wrapping, and joined with wooden pins where it overlaps itself through the body; the radiating ribs are inserted between the overlap of the spine, and the doubled rim, so that their ends are not visible; the rim joins the handle with a doubled cross wrapping and has a very distinctive top rib which overhangs the upper edge of the rim. Retains a sunned, dry natural surface. Fourth quarter 19th/first quarter 20th century. 7 3/4” HOA, 4” H rim, 8 5/8” x 8 1/4” rim.

Literature: For an example by the same maker(s), see Law and Taylor - Appalachian White Oak Basketmaking: Handing Down the Basket, p. 106, pl. 3.33.

Catalogue Note: The present example is part of a relatively small, but important, group of baskets which are arguably some of the finest made in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The currently-unknown maker’s level of work is on par with famous makers such as Mary Causby or the Shelton Sisters, both of North Carolina, who were making baskets primarily for tourist consumption during the Craft Revival era of the late 19th and early 20th century. The Shenandoah Valley saw significant increases in demand for folk-made souvenirs during this era, primarily with the establishment of the Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive, but also earlier, to a lesser degree, with a number of famous healing springs. Most of the known examples that we have studied were collected in western Shenandoah County, mainly around a small unincorporated town called Jerome, which, interestingly, is only a few miles from Orkney Springs. Orkney Springs was founded in the mid-1770s and attracted a considerable number of visitors to its cold healing springs. By the 1870s, they were seeing a large influx of visitors and opened their new hotel building, The Virginia House, which boasted 175 additional bedrooms. There’s a distinct possibility that these baskets were to be marketed towards the elite tourists visiting the springs. Although if they had been made for tourist consumption, one would assume their recovery history would be far more widespread. Another odd aspect is that none of the known examples show evidence of heavy usage wear, with most being nearly as-made with no losses. Of course, many examples likely did not survive, but it is worth noting that none of those recorded show wear correlating with constant heavy domestic usage. This group may be a window into a wider field of study, looking at the period usage of baskets not only as domestic tools, but also cherished by the families who owned them for the appreciation of their form over their function. We know this to be true of woven-splint key baskets, which, based on research by William H. McGuffin, existed contemporaneously with their better-known tooled-leather counterparts, and were generally kept as a symbolic memento of marriage rather than an object of daily use.

Research into the elevation of these quotidian domestic wares and efforts to better understand the roles baskets played in daily life in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia is currently underway by Troy Pittenger.

Excellent condition with extremely minor surface wear/discoloration and no noted breaks or losses; surface moderately sun-faded.

$300 - $500

1002. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA, PROBABLY AUGUSTA CO., STAVE-TYPE WOVEN-SPLINT BASKET, white oak, of finely-woven form, the high arched handle having over-woven plaited decoration and an applied wrapped rib on either side, the doubled rim having the same plaited design, and the juncture having a complicated cross wrapping; the body of the basket is constructed with eight thicker structural staves which are nailed into the doubled rim, between each of them, the smaller whittled staves are added as the basket is woven, in the same way a converging rib-type basket would be constructed, many now-faint dyed weavers are evident through the body, primarily from the interior. Retains a sunned, dry surface. First quarter 20th century. 13 1/4” HOA, 6 3/4” H rim, 12 1/2” D rim.

Catalogue Note: Another basket of this very unique form was sold through our gallery (Jeffrey S. Evans (T/A GVA), 6/25/2004, lot 98) with a history of ownership in the Saufley family of Waynesboro, VA. Another in a private collection was found in an Augusta Co. antique mall in 2024 with no history.

Excellent condition with minor surface wear and discoloration; only one noted loss on the rim and a minor glued repair to a weaver on the interior of the rim; the surface with moderate sun-fading.

$200 - $300

1003. RARE SHENANDOAH

HANGING WALL BOX, dovetailed case, featuring a boldly cut-out broken-arch backboard and a slanted lift top with molded front edge concealing an interior with a center divider, above two half-length scratch-beaded dovetailed spice drawers retaining their original brass knobs, and applied complex moldings to the bottom. Poplar secondary wood. Retains its outstanding original dry surface. Rockingham or Shenandoah Co. Circa 1800. 14” HOA, 12 1/2” WOA, 6” DOA.

Catalogue Note: An exceptionally rare form featuring a classic broken-arch pediment as seen on much more formal furniture such as tall-case clocks and bookcase secretaries.

Provenance: Long estate auction, Broadway, VA, spring 1995/1996. Very good as-found condition, case with a shrinkage crack to the proper right end, one drawer with loss of half of the lower bead, lid with slight warp, and very minor loss to the base molding.

$4,000 - $6,000

VALLEY OF VIRGINIA WALNUT

1005. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA PAINTED YELLOW PINE SLIDE-TOP CANDLE BOX, dovetailed (mostly wedged) rectangular form with heavy bead at the top and bottom edges, original chamfer-edge lid with gouged thumb notch, and the bottom secured with rose-head nails. The box retains an outstanding, early, and probably original dry blue-painted surface; the lid has remnants of the same paint. Probably Shenandoah Co. Circa 1780. 5 3/4” H, 11 1/2” x 6”.

Very good as-found condition with some expected minor losses and usage wear.

$500 - $800

1004. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA POPLAR HANGING SALT BOX, rosehead-nailed construction, featuring a peaked backboard, snipe-hinged lid concealing a divided interior, and original dry red-washed surface. Second half 18th century. 18 1/2” HOA, 12 3/4” WOA, 8 1/2” DOA.

Very good overall condition with minor to moderate expected wear and discoloration.

$500 - $800

1006. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA CHERRY SLIDE-TOP CANDLE BOX, dovetailed rectangular form, the open top ends of the sides terminate in a lamb’s tongue, the original chamfer-edge lid with a wide-gouged thumb notch, and squarecut brad nails. Retains an outstanding original dry surface. Circa 1820. 7” H, 14 3/8” x 8 7/8”.

Excellent original condition with some minor wear and stains.

$300 - $500

1007. SHENANDOAH CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA LARGE SLIDE-TOP BOX, walnut top and sides, yellow pine ends, and poplar bottom, hand-wrought nailed rectangular form, original lid with a wide-gouged thumb notch. Retains an outstanding original dry surface. Circa 1820. 9 3/4” H, 22” x 11 1/2”.

Provenance: Purchased at the auction of the contents of the Wine family homeplace, Forestville, Shenandoah Co., VA, 5/1996. Descended from Jacob Wine (1811-1880), Daniel Peter Wine (1855-1923), Jacob David Wine (1881-1968), and Isaac Jacob Wine (1911-1997), all living at the same homeplace.

Good as-found condition, one top side with an early nailed repair, the other top side with an age crack, otherwise only some normal stains and wear.

$300 - $500

1008. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA WALNUT DOCUMENT BOX, rectangular dovetailed form with a hinged lid having an overhanging chamfered-edge top concealing an open interior originally fitted with a tray, original brass hinges and cabinet lock. Retains an outstanding original dry surface with excellent patina. Mid 19th century. 7” HOA, 6 3/8” x 11 7/8” case.

Excellent condition.

$200 - $300

1009. AMERICAN WALLPAPER BAND / HAT BOX WITH SHAPE-NOTE SONGBOOK PAGES INTERIOR, oval form covered with polychrome printed paper having a grapevine design, the interior and bottom are covered with shape-note songbook pages, songs include German Reformed and Methodist hymns. Mid 19th century. 8” H, 13 1/2” x 10 1/2”.

Very good as-found condition with less than normal wear.

$100 - $200

1010. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA CARVED TREEN BUTTER PRINT, probably basswood, double-sided lollipop form with rounded handle, one side with a feathered six-point star and the other with a feathered tulip. Retains its original dry, natural surface. Probably Shenandoah Co. Circa 1840. 9 1/4” LOA, 4 1/2” D.

Good as-found condition with some expected stains and wear.

$500 - $800

1011. FOLK ART PAINT-DECORATED BOXES, LOT OF TWO, both softwood of nailed construction with wire snipe hinges, comprising a shallow rectangular trinket box with a tin hasp, and a dome-top example with front-mount lock. Each retains its original dry polychrome-painted floral decoration; the small example features tulips, and the large example has a distelfink to the front below the lock. First half 19th century. 2” H, 6 1/2” x 4”, and 7 1/2” H, 11 1/4” x 7 1/4”.

Provenance: Trinket box: Mary M. Sellers auction, Rocky Bar, Rockingham Co., VA, 7/28/1990.

The trinket box is missing a 1/4” strip at the top of one end, the dometop is lacking the lid bail, both otherwise in good as-found condition with typical losses to the paint.

$300 - $500

CUTLERY / KNIFE BOX, square nail construction, unusual single-compartment form with slanted front and sides, flat back, and applied bottom. Retains its original dry blue-painted surface. Mid 19th century. 5 1/4” H, 14” x 5 3/4”.

In very good as-found condition, the interior, especially the ends, shows heavy usage wear from blades. The bottom has some insect damage.

$300 - $500

1013. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA WALNUT LIDDED CUTLERY BOX / TRAY, dovetailed two-compartment form, each having a brass-hinged lid, flanking a shaped handle with cut-out grip. Retains an old, lightly cleaned surface. Mid 19th century. 7” HOA, 4” H at lids, 14 1/4” x 10”.

Provenance: Found in New Market, VA.

Excellent condition, slight shrinkage separation to the bottom.

$200 - $300

1014.

WALL BOX, primitive nailed rectangular form with hanging hole to the back. Retains an original dry green-painted surface. Probably Rockingham or Shenandoah Co. Late 19th/early 20th century. 5 1/2” H, 9 1/4” x 6 1/2”.

Good as-found condition with moderate usage wear, scattered minor insect damage.

$100 - $200

1012. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA PAINTED YELLOW PINE

SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA PAINTED YELLOW PINE

1015. VIRGINIA WOODEN SLIDE-TOP BOXES, LOT OF THREE, comprising a push-pull slate friction turkey call with “Isaac” and other inscriptions on the top; a square-nailed pine example with illegible inscriptions to one side and under the top; and a wooden-pinned pine example inscribed “Property of Robt A. Bowers, Brandy Station, Culpeper Cty, Va.” and dated 1844. Each with an old or original natural surface. Mid 19th to early 20th century. 3 1/4” H, 7” x 2 7/8” OA.

Very good condition with some light wear.

$100 - $200

1016. AMERICAN TREEN PANTRY BOXES AND FIRKIN, LOT OF SIX, comprising a stave-form mince meat bucket with cover and bail handle, retaining its original worn mustard-painted surface; and five bentwood circular boxes, four with original covers, three retaining their original painted surfaces. One stamped for Murdock & Co., Winchendon, MA. Second half 19th/early 20th century. 3” to 10” H, 6 1/2” to 10 1/2” D.

Fair to very good condition with light to moderate wear, a few small breaks, and stains.

$100 - $200

1017. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA WALNUT CUTLERY BOX / TRAY, dovetailed two-compartment form having an integral shaped handle with cut-out spurs and grip. Retains an old, warm surface. Mid 19th century. 7 1/4” HOA, 4 1/4” H at rim, 14 1/4” x 11”.

Good overall condition with expected interior usage wear, old V-shape patch to rim at one end.

$100 - $150

1018. NEW ENGLAND BIRCH BARK SNUFF BOX, narrow oval form with finger-lapped construction, the bottom attached with small wooden pins, original interior-fitted wooden cover with leather lifting strap. Retains its original dry surface. Possibly Native American. Mid 19th century. 2 1/8” H, 1 1/4” x 3”.

Provenance: Purchased at a Berryville, VA estate auction, 6/1993.

Excellent original condition.

$80 - $120

1019. UNUSUAL WOODEN TABLE-TOP CHURN / MIXER, of globular form, the lid and bottom each made of two joined halves, the cover with five small vent holes encircling the applied wooden knob, the bottom fitted with a four-paddle dasher turned with a wrought-iron crank handle having a wooden grip, raised on a wide integral foot. Retains its original dry surface with excellent dark patina. Second half 19th century. 13” HOA, 11 1/2” DOA.

Good as-found condition, old repair to a break in one paddle, some slight separations at the joints, and several expected age cracks to the bottom.

$100 - $200

1020. ARCADE IMPERIAL PAINTED COFFEE GRINDER, cast-iron top above a dovetailed wooden case having a single drawer and retaining an excellent, dry blue-painted surface. Arcade Mfg. Co., Freeport, IL. Circa 1870. 9 1/4” HOA, 7” SQ.

The handle is an old replacement, otherwise in good as-found condition with a typical shrinkage crack to the bottom board.

$100 - $200

1021. SIGNED “C. KIEFER” LANCASTER,

PENNSYLVANIA

COPPER TEA KETTLE, dovetail-constructed body with applied gooseneck spout and wide bail handle stamped “C. Kiefer” (Christian Kiefer, act. 1821-1858), cover with a cast-brass finial. Retains an old patina. Circa 1830. 11 1/2” HOA, 9 1/4” DOA.

Literature: See Horvath/Poston - Early American Copper Tea Kettles, pp. 158, 159, for a discussion on Kiefer.

Fair as-found condition with no holes, exhibits light to moderate denting.

$100 - $200

1022. 17TH C. DUTCH / GERMAN WRIGGLEWORK PEWTER BROADRIM CHARGER, the rim decorated with tulips, vines with berries, and a single anemone bloom, the top edge engraved “HGW” within a shield-form cartouche below the two touchmarks. Circa 1680. 1” H, 12 3/4” D.

Fair condition with an area of compression and old repair to the inner shoulder, causing breaks and tiny holes.

$100 - $200

1023. AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR HISTORICAL PRINT IN ORIGINAL FRAME, hand-colored lithograph, “Capture of Major John Andre.” J. Baillie, New York, 1845. Housed under glass in its original mahogany veneer frame with brass top hanging loop. Dated 1845. 9 1/2” x 13 1/2” sight, 12 3/4” x 16 3/4” OA.

Provenance: Jeffrey S. Evans (T/A GVA), 7/23/1994. Ex-Mary Rupp Orbaugh estate, New Market, VA.

Very good as-found condition, print with some soiling/toning, frame with some veneer losses.

$100 - $150

1024. CURRIER & IVES PRINT IN ORIGINAL FRAME, hand-colored lithograph, “The Little Brothers”, 1865. Housed under glass in its original mahogany veneer frame with brass top hanging loop. Dated 1865. 13 1/4” x 9 1/4” sight, 18 1/4” x 14 1/4” OA.

Provenance: Jeffrey S. Evans (T/A GVA), 7/23/1994. Ex-Mary Rupp Orbaugh estate, New Market, VA.

In very good condition, with minor wear and toning/staining.

$80 - $120

1025. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA PUNCHED-TIN / SHEETIRON SQUIRREL CAGE, in the form of a building with punched windows and rosettes, the domed roof with a smokestack at one end, the lifting access door at the end opposite the running cage, mounted on a yellow pine board. Retains an old, dry surface. Fourth quarter 19th/early 20th century. 16 1/2” HOA, 25 1/2” x 9” base.

Good as-found condition with light surface rust and weathering, one side of the roof with a large dent, some other small dents, nails at base of support post replaced with modern screws.

$300 - $500

S. Evans

1026. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA PIE CRIMPER / JAGGER OR PASTRY WHEEL, long wrought-iron handle with simple concave band and rounded terminal, and a sheet-iron wheel. Retains an outstanding original surface. Probably Shenandoah Co. Circa 1830. 10 3/8” LOA, 2 5/8” D wheel.

Excellent condition with several very minor splits to the wheel edge.

$200 - $300

1028. VALLEY OF VIRGINIA CAST-IRON MORTAR AND PESTLE, the round deep bowl of the mortar with a flared molded rim over a round stepped base with a prominent gate mark to the underside, the pestle having complimentary designs and prominent gate marks to the shaft. 19th century. Mortar 7” HOA, 7 3/4” D.

Very good condition with expected light surface rust and pitting.

$80 - $120

1027. AMERICAN WROUGHT-IRON PAIR OF BLANKET CHEST STRAP HINGES, each with ornate cut-out ram’s-head and spade terminals, and four mounting holes in each half. Each retains an old, dry surface. Fourth quarter 18th century. 31 1/2” LOA, 1 7/8” W at swivel.

Very good as-found condition with some light surface rust.

$100 - $200

1029. AMERICAN LATE FEDERAL PAIR OF MINIATURE BRASS ANDIRONS, each threaded and seamed column topped with a ringed-ball finial, raised on scrolling legs with spurs and ball feet, original wrought-iron log supports. First quarter 19th century. 5 3/4” HOA, 7 1/2” LOA.

Good original condition, one log support is slightly loose at the leg joint, the other example is bent forward.

$100 - $200

1030. FREE-BLOWN, CUT, ENGRAVED, AND PRESSED WHALE OIL LAMP, colorless, bulb-form font with engraved swag and tassel decoration above eight cut flutes, raised on an inverted hollow pyriform knop, and pressed standard featuring an eight-rib stem and five-step quatrefoil base with plain interior, bladed wafers construction. Original pewter collar and double-tube burner. Boston & Sandwich Glass Co. and possibly others. 18301840. 12 1/2” H to top of collar.

Literature: Closely parallels Barlow/Kaiser - The Glass Industry in Sandwich, Vol. 2, p. 72, fig. 2067.

Outstanding original condition with only a few minor shallow chips/flakes to the base edges, and an open bubble to the underside of the foot, as made.

$100 - $150

1031. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA CRAZY-STYLE APPLIQUE AND PIECED CRIB QUILT, hand-stitched, completed in polychrome plain, print, and woven fabrics, comprising a central field featuring two fans, joined rings, hand-painted flowers and butterfly, and decorative embroidery, within a wide silk border, two-panel plain back. Later hanging rings stitched to two corners. Late 19th/early 20th century. 23” SQ.

Excellent overall condition, the painted fan with minor shattering, otherwise only some scattered tiny holes and staining the back.

$100 - $150

1032. JAMES WATTS, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA COIN SILVER

PUNCH / SOUP LADLE, an ovoid bowl on a curved forward-tipped fiddle handle with pointed shoulders, no monogram. Back impressed with “James Watts” maker’s mark flanking a horse-head over a chevron for James Watts of Philadelphia, PA (active c.1832-1888). Total weight: 6.28 ozt. Circa 1845. 12 1/2” L.

Excellent condition with a very faint dent to the bowl.

$100 - $150

1030A. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA “FEATHERED STAR” VARIANT PIECED QUILT, hand-stitched, completed in polychrome print and solid fabrics, 20 pattern blocks featuring “Ohio Star” centers, grid sashing and “Streak of Lightning” border in double pink and green print fabrics, having outline, straight-line, diamond grid, and triple-channeled quilting, back-over-front binding, multi-paneled plain muslin backing, one corner with later handwritten name of “Margaret” in ink or marker. Probably Rockingham or Shenandoah Co., VA. Circa 1870. 72” x 90 1/2”.

Provenance: Purchased at an on-site estate auction in Rockingham or Shenandoah Co., VA in the 1990s.

Very good overall condition with colors being excellent though some certain fabrics with fugitive color, top also having scattered stains and light toning, a through hole to center with patch mend to back, binding with a few tiny holes near one corner and another corner having a moderate hole, backing with light toning and some stains including a sizable light stain in one quadrant.

$300 - $500

1031A. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA “EIGHT-POINTED STAR” PIECED QUILT, hand-stitched, completed in red, green, yellow, and purple print and solid white fabrics, 42 pattern blocks with two having orange print fabric pieces, grid sashing with pieced corners, all four sides having sawtooth border, featuring diagonal and straightline quilting, back-over-front binding, four-paneled plain muslin backing, one corner with later handwritten name of “Mary” in ink. Probably Rockingham or Shenandoah Co., VA. Circa 1860. 82 1/2” x 95 1/2”.

Provenance: Purchased at an on-site estate auction in Rockingham or Shenandoah Co., VA in the 1990s.

Good to very good overall condition, top with light toning and scattered stains, a few scattered small holes, colored fabrics having some fading and fugitive color with the purple fabrics retaining much of their color, one fourth of quilt with more moderate toning and fading, a few areas of very light bleeding of red most notably to the corner with orange print fabric pieces, binding with a few tiny holes at the same corner, backing having some light toning and stains.

$200 - $400

1032A. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA “LOG CABIN - LIGHT AND DARK” PIECED QUILT, hand-stitched, completed in polychrome print and woven fabrics, 54 pattern blocks with pink or red centers, having outline quilting, back-over-front binding, two-paneled double pink print fabric backing. Probably Rockingham or Shenandoah Co., VA. Late 19th/early 20th century. 57” x 86”.

Provenance: Purchased at an on-site estate auction in Rockingham or Shenandoah Co., VA in the 1990s.

Excellent overall condition except for top with some light toning, light fading, and scattered stains, backing with some very light to moderate fading along edges and corners.

$200 - $300

1033. DR. JOHN WALTER RICE (1793-1862), NEW MARKET, SHENANDOAH CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA ENSLAVED PERSON DOCUMENTS, LOT OF TWO, manuscript on paper indenture and promissory note for Rice’s purchase of a “Negro Girl Slave named Diana” from Col. Robert Harry Turner (1789-1861) of Woodstock, and later Front Royal, Warren Co., VA, dated April 19th and November 16th, 1831. 12” x 7 3/4” and 3 1/2” x 7 1/2”.

Catalogue Note: Dr. John Walter Rice was born in Prince Edward Co., VA to Francis Rice (1735-1806) and Eleanor McGehee Rice (1746-1821). He served in the War of 1812 as a surgeon. He married Anna Maria Gilliams (1798-1881) on June 18, 1815, at Christ’s Church in Philadelphia while attending Jefferson College. Dr. Rice practiced medicine for two years in Richmond, VA, before moving to New Market by 1819. He was the patriarch of the Rice family in and around New Market, where he raised a large family and amassed a fortune. His most important accomplishment was being responsible for organizing and building the Valley Turnpike from Winchester to Staunton. He also served as its president for many years. He owned all the land, with the exception of one farm between the Shenandoah River and the Massanutten Mountain from New Market to Rude’s Hill. His home, “Stanley Hall,” is situated on the New Market Battlefield and is now part of the lands owned by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation. At the time of his passing, Dr. Rice owned over 20 enslaved persons. He is buried in the St. Matthews Cemetery in New Market. Robert Harry Turner was born in Woodstock, where his father served as the deputy clerk of Shenandoah County. He moved with his family to Warren County in 1836 and was appointed clerk of that county, a position he held until his death.

Provenance: Ex-Booze Vaughn estate, New Market, Shenandoah Co., VA.

Very good overall condition, each with stains and minor loss to the lower edge.

$200 - $300

1034. DR. JOHN WALTER RICE (1793-1862), NEW MARKET, SHENANDOAH CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA

ENSLAVED PERSON DOCUMENT, manuscript on paper bill of sale for Rice’s purchase of a “male negro slave named Edmund” from John William Dulany (1800-1883) of Woodville, Culpeper Co., VA, dated February 8th, 1832. 8 3/4” x 7 3/4”.

Catalogue Note: Dr. John Walter Rice was born in Prince Edward Co., VA to Francis Rice (1735-1806) and Eleanor McGehee Rice (1746-1821). He served in the War of 1812 as a surgeon. He married Anna Maria Gilliams (1798-1881) on June 18, 1815, at Christ’s Church in Philadelphia while attending Jefferson College. Dr. Rice practiced medicine for two years in Richmond, VA, before moving to New Market by 1819. He was the patriarch of the Rice family in and around New Market, where he raised a large family and amassed a fortune. His most important accomplishment was being responsible for organizing and building the Valley Turnpike from Winchester to Staunton. He also served as its president for many years. He owned all the land, with the exception of one farm between the Shenandoah River and the Massanutten Mountain from New Market to Rude’s Hill. His home, “Stanley Hall,” is situated on the New Market Battlefield and is now part of the lands owned by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation. At the time of his passing, Dr. Rice owned over 20 enslaved persons. He is buried in the St. Matthews Cemetery in New Market. John William Dulany/Dulaney was born in Culpeper County. He moved with his family to Ohio around 1840, where he worked as a harness maker.

Provenance: Ex-Booze Vaughn estate, New Market, Shenandoah Co., VA.

Fine condition, trimmed slightly at the top, with no apparent loss to the writing.

$100 - $200

1034A. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA OVERSHOT COVERLET, red and deep olive green wool and natural cotton, two joined panels, having overall “Nine Patch”-type pattern with grid sashing. Second half 19th century. 70” x 95”.

Very good overall condition with some light toning along edges and center fold lines, some scattered small stains and minute to small losses to wool.

$200 - $300

1035A. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA OVERSHOT COVER-

LET, medium green and lilac purple wool and natural cotton, two joined panels, having overall block pattern. Second half 19th century. 76” x 96 1/2”. Very good to fine overall condition with some light toning along edges and center fold lines, some scattered stains, end edges with wear and some losses to wool, a few other minute to small losses to wool, very light to light fading mostly to one half of top side.

$200 - $300

1106A. AMERICAN CHIPPENDALE WALNUT DIMINUTIVE LOOKING GLASS / WALL MIRROR, finely cut-out scroll-work crest, above a molded rectangular frame, and lower cut-out drop, original mirror plate and backboard. White pine substrate. Retains an excellent early, possibly original surface with warm color. Possibly Jacob Fry (Woodstock, Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, d. 1814). Late 18th century. 19 3/4” HOA, 13 1/4” WOA.

Catalogue Note: This mirror, along with a Queen Anne candlestand in the collection of Dr. Henry Deyerle (see Sotheby’s catalogue, lot 721), both descended in the family of Jacob Fry. Miss Lizzie Fry-Dash lived in the log cabin home of Jacob Fry and gifted this mirror to Dan Burner, who, at the time, was living next door, and later sold both pieces to Dr. Deyerle in 1973. Family tradition states that both the mirror and the candlestand always remained in the hall of the log cabin.

Provenance: Sotheby’s - Important Americana, The Collection of Dr. and Mrs. Henry Deyerle, 5/27/1995, lot 721. Ex-Dan Burner, 7/20/1973. Descended in the family of Jacob Fry (Woodstock, VA, d.1814).

Good overall condition with the typical scattered repairs/restorations; the surface with minor wear; the mirror with expected discoloration and deterioration to the silvering.

$300 - $500

1035. RARE SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA PAINT-DECORATED POPLAR SEWING SPOOL RACK, frame form featuring five posts through mortised into the top rail and base, supporting four, likely original removable wooden rods for the thread spools, the overhanging top rail featuring corner support braces topped with a stepped ornament at each end, flanking a broken-arch pediment with a central post for a sewing thimble, the whole supported on a chamfered-edge base raised on delicate turned feet. Retains its original black-painted surface with polychrome pinstripe and crosshatch decorations. Probably New Market, Shenandoah Co., VA, possibly by a member of the Wickes family of chair and spinning furniture makers, and/or the Clinedinst family of carriage makers. Mid 19th century. 14” HOA, 11 1/4” x 2 3/4” base.

Provenance: Found in the attic of the Strayer House, S. Congress St., New Market, VA.

The pediment center post is replaced, the broken arch with repair and possible restoration, the tip of one stepped device replaced, otherwise in very good condition. The base front edge likely originally had attached fabric for needle storage and shows tiny nail holes.

$800 - $1,200

1036. ROCKINGHAM CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA DECORATED POPLAR PICTURE FRAME, simple flat and angle molded profile, original wire loop hanger, chamfer-edge poplar back board, and likely original N. Currier “The Two Sisters” lithograph print. Retains an outstanding, dry, original, sponge-decorated red-painted surface. Circa 1865. 14 1/4” x 10 1/2” seat, 17 1/4” x 13 1/2” OA.

Catalogue Note: The present frame is attributable to Henry Crist (1845-1915) based on another example with an identical profile and similar paint in a private collection, signed “Maid by Henry Crist” and dated 1867. There are also two other unsigned identical examples with family history from the same area. Crist lived in the Timberville area and was listed as a cabinetmaker in the 1880 census and a carpenter in the 1900 census. His father, Jacob Crist (1821-1863), was a wagon maker and probably possessed other woodworking skills.

Provenance: Jeffrey S. Evans (T/A GVA), 7/23/1994. Ex-Mary Rupp Orbaugh estate, New Market, VA.

Excellent as-found condition, frame with two areas of minor abrasions, the print with some soiling and toning.

$300 - $500

1037. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA PAINTED YELLOW PINE CHECKER / GAME BOARD, rectangular single board with slightly rounded corners, original poplar battens screwed to the back. Retains an outstanding dry original surface with black-painted squares. Together with a box of wooden checkers. Two pieces total. First quarter 20th century. 17” x 24”.

Very good as-found condition with a shrinkage crack to one end.

$300 - $500

1038. WILLIAM FREDERICK RUPP (SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA, 1834-1908) DRAWING OF A DOG, graphite on paper, depicting a bird dog walking in tall grass, not signed. Housed under glass in a period mahogany veneer frame. Second half 19th century. 3” x 4 1/4” sight, 6” x 7” OA.

Literature: See Shenandoah Valley Folklore Society - Folk and Decorative Art of the Shenandoah Valley, p. 16, for examples of Rupp’s drawings and fresco work.

Catalogue Note: William Frederick Rupp (1834-1908) was a noted frescoer, plain and ornamental painter, and paperhanger from New Market, VA. He immigrated from Germany around 1854. In 1862, he married Mary Catherine Spitzer (1837-1900), daughter of New Market gunsmith Charles Spitzer. Rupp’s fresco painting included many churches, homes, and public buildings, primarily in the northern Shenandoah Valley, some of which are still extant. His account book also listed work in North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

Provenance: Jeffrey S. Evans (T/A GVA), 7/23/1994. Ex-Mary Rupp Orbaugh estate, New Market, VA. Descended from her grandfather, William F. Rupp.

Good condition with some small spots and toning. Frame with small losses.

$200 - $300

1039. AMERICAN SCHOOL (19TH CENTURY) PORTRAIT OF MARY “POLLY” HANNA BLAIN (ROCKBRIDGE CO., VIRGINIA, 1772-1834), oil on canvas laid on board, a bust-length profile after an earlier pencil profile, unsigned, inscribed identification on verso. Housed in a period black-painted frame. Mid 19th century. 9 1/2” x 7 1/2” sight, 14 1/4” x 12 1/4” OA.

Catalogue Note: Mary “Polly” Hanna was the daughter of Matthew Hanna (17471815) and Martha Montgomery Hanna (1749-1821). She married Rev. Daniel Blain (1773-1814) in Lexington, VA, on June 3, 1799. The couple was united in marriage by Rev. Samuel Houston of Lexington, father of Texas historical figure Sam Houston. The Rev. Blain was a professor at Washington College and the minister to numerous Rockbridge congregations. In 1800, he built a two-story brick house on E. Washington St., where the couple lived until his death in 1814. Mary stayed at the house until moving to Lewisburg in 1834 with her family, where she died the same year. She is buried in Old Stone Presbyterian Church Cemetery where her marker reads: “SACRED / to the memory of / MARY, / Wife of Rev. D. Blain, / Prof. Law in W. College, Virginia, / who closed a life of exemplary piety / & usefulness on the 28th of / November, 1834, aged 62. / The fame that pious virtue gives / All sumptuous Monuments outlives, / Reader, would you secure such praise / to learn religion’s pleasant ways.”

The portrait is in very good condition. The frame has some losses and cracking.

$200 - $300

1040. ROCKINGHAM CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA FOLK ART CARVED SPRUCE QUILTING FRAME SUPPORTS, one rail carved with three hex signs featuring six-petal rosettes, “MS”, “JS”, and trees, the other rail features the same initials, “MAY 16 1880”, trees, and a fern, both raised on mortised and nailed tapered splayed legs with chamfered corners. Modified with a center wooden brace to form a quilt rack. Retains its original dry, natural surface. Dated 1880. 27 3/4” H, 35 1/4” x 13 1/4”.

Catalogue Note: The initials seen on the present supports are possibly for members of the Spitzer family of Edom, VA, which is only a short distance south of where they were recovered in Broadway, VA. The family is known for producing many quilts during the 19th century, 27 of which are part of the Mary Etter Spitzer collection at the Virginia Quilt Museum in Dayton, VA.

Provenance: Found in the Broadway area, Rockingham Co., VA.

Good as-found condition with old pieced extensions to the ends of the legs.

$200 - $300

1041. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA ATLAS WITH RUPP FAMILY OWNERSHIP, An Atlas of Shenandoah and Page Counties, Virginia, published by D. J. Lake & Co., Philadelphia, PA, 1885. Period inked notations to the New Market map. Later signature of Mary R[upp] Orebaugh to the top of the title page. Original binding with blind- and gilt-stamped boards. Dated 1885. 17 1/2” x 15”.

Provenance: Jeffrey S. Evans (T/A GVA), 7/23/1994. Ex-Mary Rupp Orbaugh estate, New Market, VA.

Good overall condition, primarily tight and clean, complete with all folding flaps intact, lacking half of the front flyleaf, some scattered silverfish losses, mostly minor, several slightly affecting the maps. Boards with light wear, minor losses to the spine.

$100 - $200

1042. RARE EARLY SHAPE-NOTE SONG / TUNEBOOK WITH COFFMAN FAMILY OWNERSHIP, William Smith, The Easy Instructor or A New Method of Teaching Sacred Harmony, Part II. Hopewell, NJ: s.n., 1806. 72 pp, original boards. The front pastedown is signed “John Coffman” twice, the rear pastedown is signed “Lydia Coffman” and “Marg Coffman”, the rear flyleaf has another Coffman signature, possibly Rachel. While it is most likely that the present songbook belonged to the Coffman family of Shenandoah Co., a specific family has not been identified that contains all the first names listed. Dated 1806. 5 1/4” x 9”.

Literature: Shaw/Shoemaker - American Bibliography, A Preliminary Checklist for 1806, p. 175, #11387.

Catalogue Note: This is the second expanded edition of the first shape-note tunebook published in the United States. Shaw and Shoemaker located only a single example of this particular edition, which is located in the American Antiquarian Society, Worcester. WorldCat records the same library as owning the only known copy.

Provenance: Found in Shenandoah Co., VA.

Fair condition with light foxing/toning, most of p. 31/32 missing, some pages with tears or corner/edge losses, two slightly affecting the printing, rear board partially detached, leather spine wrap with some losses and loose at the back, wear to the boards.

$100 - $150

S. Evans

1043. AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR HISTORICAL PRINT, engraving on paper, titled “Last Words of Captain Nathan Hale, the Hero-Martyr of the American Revolution. Designed by F. O. C. Darley, Engraved by A. H. Ritchie, and Published Exclusively for Subscribers to the Adventures and Achievements of Americans.” Cincinnati, OH: Henry Howe, 1858. Housed under glass in its likely original molded giltwood frame. Dated 1858. 10” x 12” sight, 12” x 14” OA.

Provenance: Mary M. Sellers auction, Rocky Bar, Rockingham Co., VA, 7/28/1990.

Good as-found condition with overall toning and some light spotting/stains. Frame with typical wear and oxidation.

$100 - $150

1045. HUGH BRIDPORT (BRITISH-AMERICAN, 1794-1868), PORTRAIT OF DR. WAYT, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, watercolor on paper laid to panel, depicting a gentleman with short brown hair and mutton chops wearing a high-collared white shirt highlighted in gouache with a dark jacket over it. The back of the board inscribed (likely by the artist) “Painted by H. Bridport / Philadelphia” and in another hand “Dr. Wayt” below. Housed in the likely original gilt gesso frame. 8” x 6 1/4” sight, 12” x 10 1/2” OA.

Catalogue Note: The identity of the sitter cannot be confirmed but is probably one of the Wayt family members in and around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Good overall condition with expecting toning/darkening to the painting along with minor areas of surface wear and loss; scattered moderate losses to the gilt frame with areas of surface restoration evident.

$200 - $300

1044. AMERICAN SCHOOL (19TH CENTURY) STILL-LIFE PAINTING, oil on artist board, depicting a cala lily on a black ground, penciled “Painted by Mrs. Julia Leonard for Mrs. Anna J. Avery” on verso. Housed in a likely original molded-walnut frame with gilt liner. Circa 1870. 9 1/4” x 7 1/2” sight, 14” x 12 1/4” OA.

Provenance: Acquired from the Crim family, New Market, VA.

In very good overall condition, with a small split on the right edge and some minor losses/spotting.

$100 - $200

1046. HARDY CO., VIRGINIA (NOW WEST VIRGINIA)

FOLK ART HUNT DRAWING, graphite and ink on paper, an elaborate and detailed depiction among rolling hills, the foreground featuring a hunter on horseback and his 12 dogs in pursuit of a buck, the background featuring five hunters and their dogs at their downed buck, and ten other hunters on horseback in various stages of pursuing a scattering of running deer. Four inked fourline hunting verses are below the image, flanked by “Old Fields, Hardy County, Virginia / Drawn by Alfred M. Grime” to the right. Housed under glass in a modern frame. Circa 1830. 16 3/4” x 21 1/2” sight, 19 3/4” x 24” OA.

Catalogue Note: The identity of the artist of this work has not been established. The Old Fields area is home to several stately Federal brick houses, including Willow Wall, which overlooks the south branch of the Potomac River. Constructed in 1811/1812, it is a two-story, U-shaped, 38-room brick dwelling in the Georgian-Tidewater style. The center hall features its original French hand-printed wallpaper, “The Passing of the Chase,” featuring hunters and their dogs chasing deer. Willow Wall was known for entertaining travelers, so it is possible that the house’s wallpaper inspired the artist to execute this drawing.

Provenance: Sotheby’s - Important Americana, The Collection of Dr. and Mrs. Henry Deyerle, 5/27/1995, lot 714. R. E. Crawford Antiques, Manakin-Sabot, VA. Colwill-McGehee, Baltimore, MD.

Good as-found condition, tear from the right edge into the center, wrinkles and small creases, scattered spotting and stains/soiling, ink loss to the first two lines of the left verse.

$2,000 - $3,000

1047. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA FOLK ART

TOWN SCENE, oil on canvas, featuring a horse and rider at a railroad crossing overlooking a town with what may be a courthouse and other municipal buildings nestled in a mountain valley, no signature located. Housed in an old frame. Fourth quarter 19th century. 11 3/4” x 14 3/4” sight, 14 1/4” x 17 1/4” OA.

Catalogue Note: The mountain formation in the background of the picture appears to be Signal Knob at the northern peak of Massanutten Mountain. If this is true, one could assume that this is a view of Strasburg, VA looking east. Another possibility is that this town is Front Royal, looking south towards what is now the entrance to Skyline Drive where, in the distance, roads 522 and 340 split around the mountain’s base. Additionally, it could be Luray, looking west viewing a slightly-stylized depiction of Massanutten Mountain. Of course, one must also consider the artist may have taken some artistic liberties, and the buildings depicted may not be in their actual placement.

Good overall condition with minor to moderate discoloration and craquelure, heavier to sky with small surface losses. Frame with minor wear.

$800 - $1,200

1048. RARE SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA FRAKTUR BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE, ink and watercolor on laid paper, for Elisabeth Wetzel (1778-1835), who was born to parents Georg Heinrich and Elisabeth Wetzel of Shenandoah / Rockingham Co., the central German text within a circular decorative border having a cross at the top and bottom, and flanked by flowering vines. Translation by Dr. John Stewart, “December 3, 1801. The hour is the same as God has chosen in which you, my child was born into this world through God’s grace and mercy. May God grant you good fortune and salvation and bless you and grant you a good life. This I wish you, my dear child Elisabeth Wetzel, as long as you live. Baptismal witnesses Georg Henrich Wetzel and Elisabeth Wetzel.” Housed under glass in a later 19th century mahogany veneer frame. Dated 1801. 10” x 8 1/8” sight, 13 1/2” x 12” OA.

Catalogue Note: Members of the Wetzel/Whetzel family were early settlers of Shenandoah and Rockingham Counties beginning in the 1750s. A number of members are buried in the Whetzel family cemetery, located in the Criders area of Brocks Gap in western Rockingham County.

Very good overall condition with typical fold creases causing some small holes, otherwise only a few minor edge chips and small areas of bleeding and toning.

$1,000 - $2,000

1049. FREDERICK CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA FOLK ART FRAKTUR DRAWINGS / BIRTH RECORDS, LOT OF TWO, watercolor and iron gall ink on laid paper, four total pages from a record book comprising two informational pages and two pictorial pages, each features a curtain surround or ruled border with fleur-de-lys corners, the informational pages lettered for Mary Fries (b. 1802) and Catharine Fries (b. 1804), and the pictorial pages featuring the artist’s well-known birds perched in a floral tree-like structure. Each housed under glass in period molded walnut frames, one with a strip of wallpaper with hand-painted detailing. By an unknown artist referred to as The Frederick County Record Book Artist. Circa 1819 (based on another dated page from the same record book). Catharine Fries example 6 1/4” x 11 1/4” sight, 15 1/2” x 17 5/8” OA.

Literature: See MESDA - Journal of Early Southern Decorative Arts, May 1981, volume VII, number 1, pp. 1-19, “Decorated Family Record Books From the Valley of Virginia” by Carolyn J. Weekley.

Catalogue Note: Additional examples of this unidentified artist’s work are represented in the collections of the American Folk Art Museum, New York City; the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Center, Williamsburg, VA; the Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, MI; and the National Archives, Washington, DC. Other known pages of the Fries family record book are in the collection of the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley (object IDs 2001.13.40; 2001.13.41); have been sold by Jeffrey S. Evans & AssociatesThe Estate Collection of Al Marzorini, 11/22/2024, lot 1143; and Sotheby’s, Sale #6716 - Important Americana: The Collection of Dr. and Mrs. Henry P. Deyerle, 5/27/1995, lot 780.

Catherine’s example in good condition with moderate expected toning and minor to moderate fading/discoloration; Mary’s example with moderate to heavy toning, moderate edge staining, one area of degradation near the upper proper left corner, and later-added polychrome paint decoration which is also continued in the wallpaper panel; both appear to have been affixed together along the center; not examined out of the frames.

$800 - $1,200

1050. BARB FAMILY, SHENANDOAH CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA DIMINUTIVE PAINT-DECORATED BENTWOOD OVAL BOX, yellow pine and poplar, covered form of lapped construction secured with wire staples and wire nails. Retains its original polychrome decoration, the cover featuring a central 12-petal rosette within a dotted and plain leaf border on the top and dotted cat’s eye devices around the flange, each side of the box having a running vine with dotted and plain leaves matching the cover border, all on a dark olive green ground. Retains an excellent dry original surface. The Barb family, Mt. Clifton/Hepners area, Shenandoah Co., VA. Together with a sixth-plate daguerreotype purchased with the box, depicting a seated young lady, possibly Roseanna Moomaw (1839-1886), daughter of George W. Moomaw Sr. and Susanna Hepner, see provenance below. Two pieces total. Circa 1820. 2 3/4” H, 5 5/8” x 9 1/2”.

Literature: Parallels Garvin - The Pennsylvania German Collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, p. 13, fig. 15; and Little - Neat and Tidy, p. 99, fig. 103. See Pook & Pook - The Pioneer Americana Collection of Dr. & Mrs. Donald Shelley, April 20-21, 2007, lot 739 for an example signed and inscribed by Jacob Barb.

Catalogue Note: The present previously unrecorded box represents a not-before-seen smallest size. It is from a small but important group of paint-decorated boxes and chests produced by multiple generations of the Barb family in Shenandoah County, Virginia, from the 1780s to the 1830s. Attribution for the group is based on the box formerly in the Donald Shelley collection, referenced above, which bears the inked inscription “Jacob Barb This 24th day of August 1831”. The Moomaw family’s provenance for this box provides additional evidence that the Barb family produced the group. This newly discovered example brings the current number known to 12 oval boxes in four sizes, six of which have sold through our gallery, and two yellow pine chests without drawers. Two of the boxes reside in the collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Colonial Williamsburg. Both were initially attributed to Pennsylvania, but have now been correctly reattributed. Like this example, four of the other boxes descended directly in families living in Shenandoah County. Both chests also carry provenance from Shenandoah County families. Research is currently underway in preparation for an article on this group.

Provenance: Purchased at the Casper Moomaw (1895-1982) estate auction, Hepners, VA. Descended from his parents, John Henry Moomaw (1854-1937) and Sarah H. Tusing Moomaw (1858-1940). Parents David Moomaw (1832-1916) and Mary Barb Moomaw (1835-1882). Parents George W. Moomaw Sr. (1804-1884) and Susanna Hepner (1802-1884). Note: The Hepner/ Moomaw family farm, where the present box resided, is adjacent to the Barb family farm and Morning Star Lutheran Church, where much of the family is buried.

In good as-found condition, with no breaks or losses, exhibiting typical oxidation and paint losses.

$5,000 - $8,000

1051. MITCHELL G. KOVALESKI (AMERICAN, 1910-1998) WPA-STYLE PAINTED PATRIOTIC TAPESTRY, oil on woven cloth, depicting seven women from different nations dressed in their native regalia standing in a park-like setting, above the title “AMERICA WELCOMES THE NATIONS” and a stars and stripes shield, the background features a collage of the New York City skyline, industrial buildings, and two airplanes, all within a wide, bountiful border of fruit and flowers. Signed “M.G. KOVALESKI” lower left. Circa 1935. 95” x 73”.

Catalogue Note: Mitchell G. Kovaleski was born in New York City to Polish immigrant parents. He graduated from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Upon graduation, he worked for the illustrator Saul Tepper and for various advertising agencies in New York City. In 1937, he relocated to Los Angeles and worked in the animation department at Walt Disney Studios, contributing to features such as Fantasia, Pinocchio, and Bambi. He next moved to work at Technicolor under Herbert and Natalie Kalmus, serving as Color Consultant on over 70 films from 1942 to 1957. He is known for his work on the Adventures of Don Juan (1948), Calamity Jane (1953), and A Star is Born (1954). During that time, he also continued to draw and paint, contributing regularly to the annual art exhibits at the Los Angeles Municipal Gallery at Barnsdall Park and the Los Angeles Artists Association.

Good as-found condition, several 1” to 2” diameter holes near the bottom, some loss to the bottom edge, top edge is sewn over for a hanging rod, small losses to the paint, primarily at the bottom edge.

$300 - $500

1052. RUPP FAMILY, SHENANDOAH CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA FOLK ART MIXED MEDIA HANGING PLAQUE, an applique and pieced depiction of a Colonial gentleman made from velvet, cotton, silk, cut-out leather, oil cloth, lace, fringe, and brass, mounted on a coarse-woven oval backing with top hanging hook, illegible penciled inscription to one leg. Likely made by a member of the Rupp family, New Market, VA. Second half 19th century. 16 1/2” x 9 1/4” OA.

Provenance: Jeffrey S. Evans (T/A GVA), 7/23/1994. Ex-Mary Rupp Orbaugh estate, New Market, VA. Descended from her grandfather, William F. Rupp.

Good as-found condition, loss of edge fringe and several brass buttons, shattering to the silk, wear to oil cloth.

$200 - $300

1053. AMERICAN FOLK ART PAINTED PICTURE FRAME, the angled mahogany-veneer frame with slightly later yellow-painted surface having polychrome floral and vine decorations, original brass loop hanger. Housing a “John Anderson My Jo” hand-colored lithograph print. Frame circa 1850, paint probably circa 1890. 14 1/4” x 10 1/8” seat, 16 1/2” x 12 1/4” OA.

Good overall condition, two small losses to paint, small edge loss at the top hanger.

$200 - $300

1054. PENNSYLVANIA CHALKWARE FIGURE OF A ROOSTER, of hollow form, raised tail, delineated wings, and punched decoration around the eyes, raised on a conical base. Retains its original four-color polychrome decoration, including blue. Mid 19th century. 8 1/4” H, 7 1/4” L, 4 5/8” D base.

Provenance: Purchased in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, 1988.

Good as-found condition with an L-shape light hairline at shoulder of the base and typical wear to paint.

$200 - $300

1055. WALDOBORO, MAINE STYLE FLORAL HOOKED RUG, polychrome wool on burlap, raised velvet-like floral sculptural field within a scrolling Acanthus-leaf border, original black binding. Late 19th/early 20th century. 31 1/2” x 61”.

Excellent overall condition, old stitched repair to a short separation at one end, one small hole near the center, several small old repairs and minor separations, expected wear to the binding, and less than normal light fading.

$200 - $300

1056. SHENANDOAH CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA FOLK ART PAINT-DECORATED YELLOW PINE AND PUNCHED-TIN CHICKEN

WALL BOX, the rectangular base featuring a central wooden spike supporting a removable, cut-out figure of a chicken, surrounded by an applied punched-tin gallery with cut-out sawtooth top edge, the shield-form back having a hanging hole below the center peak. The base is attached to the back with square nails. Retains its original dry, black paint with red- and white-spatter decorations. Mid 19th century. 7 1/8” H, 5” x 3 1/2” base.

Provenance: Acquired from the Lola and Daisy Bowers home, Mt. Jackson, VA.

Excellent as-found original condition with no breaks or losses.

$800 - $1,200

1057. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA CARVED BALL-IN-CAGE WHIMSIES, LOT OF THREE, softwood, probably spruce, carved by the same hand(s), graduated sizes with matching finials, two containing two balls and one containing three, one inscribed “A L Jr” and another “Doctor (?) Sr.” Each retaining its original dry surface, one with outstanding red and black paint. Late 19th/first quarter 20th century. 7” to 10 1/2” H, 1 1/2” to 2” SQ.

Excellent overall condition with a few minor shrinkage cracks.

$300 - $500

1058. RARE AND IMPORTANT FOLTZ

/ WAGGONER

FAMILY SHENANDOAH CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA SULPHUR-INLAID

WALNUT HANGING CUPBOARD, the dovetailed case having an applied triple-step molded cornice above a single raised-panel door attached with the original iron, face-mounted hinges, concealing a full-depth medial shelf with beaded front edge, and an unusual three-quarter depth upper shelf, above a single lip-molded wedged-dovetail drawer inlaid with “VLRG” and “WGR” flanking a likely original hand-wrought pull, a cut-out apron, and lower half-depth shelf having an applied front molding, flanked by boldly cut-out ends that are an extension of the case sides. Mostly walnut secondary wood with some yellow pine. The door knob was added later, the upper turnbuckle and the wrought-iron braces to the exterior and interior proper left joints of the door are 18th century, and possibly original. The front nail holes of the case are filled with the original beeswax. The drawer sides exhibit period red grease pen inscriptions, probably in German. Retains its outstanding dry, original surface with untouched patina. Circa 1770. 46” H, 34 1/4” W at the cornice, 31 1/4” W case, 13 1/2” D at the cornice, 12” D case.

Literature: See Beckerdite (ed.) - American Furniture 2015, p. 147, fig. 119, and p. 152, fig. 128 of Lisa Minardi’s “Sulphur Inlay in Pennsylvania German Furniture: New Discoveries” for two examples of inlay using three initials to represent a longer surname, like the “WGN” seen on the Foltz/Waggoner cupboard and discussed below.

Catalogue Note: The present hanging cupboard is among the most important pieces of documented colonial-period Shenandoah Valley furniture known. The extreme rarity of the form, combined with its remarkable documented provenance and untouched original condition, presents a unique opportunity to acquire an extraordinary, fresh-to-the-market object. Our research indicates that the “WGN” inlay on the drawer is for the original owner, Ulrich Waggoner (c. 1721-1801) or his daughter Betty Waggoner (possibly 1754/1760-aft. 1801). Ulrich was a Swiss emigrant who arrived in Philadelphia in 1750 and moved with his wife, Barbara Sterer (c. 1720-c. 1800), and daughter Betty to Shenandoah County, VA, in the 1760s. The cupboard was possibly made for Betty around 1770 and presented by her parents before her marriage to Joshua Voltz/Foltz Sr (1760-1833) in 1778, possibly in lieu of a traditional dower chest. Ulrich willed 105 1/2 acres of the “tract of land whereon I now live” to his grandson John Tisinger and “unto my daughter Betty for and during her natural life the remainder of my said tract of land whereon I now live, containing one hundred and sixty acres...and after her decease...unto my daughter Betty’s son Joshua Foltz [Jr] and his heirs forever.” Ulrich’s farm bordered Joshua’s grandfather Peter Foltz’s farm. Ulrich left his personal property to his four daughters in equal shares. It has not been determined if the present cupboard was part of Ulrich’s estate, which Betty inherited, or if the cupboard had been gifted to her when she came of age before her marriage to Joshua. We do know that the cupboard descended through six generations of the Foltz family until it was discovered in 1995 by Benny Long in the attic of the family’s circa 1798 homestead. The drawer’s other inlaid initials, “VLRG,” are likely for the Latin motto Verbum Lutheri Reformabit Germanos, which translates to “The Word of Luther will reform the Germans.” The Waggoner and Foltz families were staunch German Reformed Lutherans, and with Ulrich being a first-generation immigrant, this phrase would have held great significance for him and his family.

Provenance: Acquired with the contents of the Foltz family homeplace’s attic, Headquarters, Shenandoah Co., VA, in 1995.

In outstanding original condition with no damage or repairs.

$20,000 - $30,000

1059. FOLTZ DISTILLERY, SHENANDOAH CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA COPPER MEASURES AND FUNNEL, LOT OF FOUR, comprising a wide-mouth funnel with a strap handle, and three graduated tapered-form measures, each with an applied pour spout and strap handle. Late 19th/early 20th century. 4 1/4” to 9 1/2” HOA.

Catalogue Note: Each of these were used at the distillery operated by James Calvin Foltz (1857-1929) at the Foltz family farm located on Swover Creek, Headquarters, VA, just west of Edinburg. The distillery was in operation from 1898 to 1916, producing primarily rye whiskey. The original still and the majority of the other apparatus and tools are in the collection of the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester.

Provenance: Acquired with the contents of the Foltz family homeplace’s attic, Headquarters, Shenandoah Co., VA, in 1995.

The funnel is in excellent condition, the measures are in fair to good condition with light to heavy denting.

$200 - $300

1060. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA PUNCHED-TIN CANDLE

LANTERN, cylindrical form with conical cap and hanging ring, the door and back punched with a six-petal rosette and corner fans as seen on punched-tin paneled food/pie safes, original hasp and candle socket joined through the base. Retains its original dry surface. Probably Shenandoah Co. Mid 19th century. 15” HOA, 5 3/8” D base.

Provenance: Acquired with the contents of the Foltz family homeplace’s attic, Headquarters, Shenandoah Co., VA, in 1995.

Very good as-found condition with some light surface rust.

$200 - $300

1061. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA WROUGHT-IRON BETTY LAMP, the pan having a hinged cover with heart-form finial, supported on a cut-out strap-like hanger with squared-off terminal and swivel hook. Retains its original crusty surface. Probably Shenandoah Co. First half 19th century. 5 3/4” H to top of hanger.

Provenance: Acquired with the contents of the Foltz family homeplace’s attic, Headquarters, Shenandoah Co., VA, in 1995.

Good as-found condition with some light rust.

$100 - $200

1063. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA WROUGHTIRON DOUGH SCRAPER, triangular blade with angled integral hollow conical handle. Retains its original dry surface. Probably Shenandoah Co. Mid 19th century. 3 1/4” H, 4 3/8” W.

Provenance: Acquired with the contents of the Foltz family homeplace’s attic, Headquarters, Shenandoah Co., VA, in 1995.

Very good as-found condition.

$100 - $200

1062. GEORGE LIGHTNER (BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ACT. 1806-1815) PEWTER DISH, large size with single-bead rim and interior ring. Two back touchmarks featuring an American eagle with “G. LIGHTNER” above and “BALTIMORE” below. First quarter 19th century. 1 1/2” H, 11 1/8” D.

Literature: Jacobs - Guide to American Pewter, p. 128, mark 204.

Provenance: Acquired with the contents of the Foltz family homeplace’s attic, Headquarters, Shenandoah Co., VA, in 1995.

Very good as-found condition with no breaks or dents, light oxidation, and wear to the interior.

$100 - $200

1064. EXTREMELY RARE AND IMPORTANT SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA CHERRY PUNCHED-TINPANELED TABLE-TOP VALUABLES SAFE, the expertly crafted pinned mortise-and-tenon case featuring a thin one-board top, single hinged door with beaded surround concealing fixed full upper shelf and lower half shelf, flanked by stiles bearing finely chamfered corners with delicate lamb’s tongue terminals, all raised on turned feet issuing from the stiles, case set with six punched-tin panels featuring a central fylfot flanked by foliate devices and corner fans, each retaining an early blue-painted surface. Chamfer-edge fielded-panel back. Poplar and yellow pine secondary woods. The whole retaining likely original pressed-glass knob, kite-shaped bone-inlaid escutcheon, cabinet lock, brass hinges, and an early, probably original dry surface with rich color. Probably Augusta Co. Circa 1835. 27 3/4” H, 17 1/4” x 13” top.

Published: Russ and Evans - Opening the Door: Safes of the Shenandoah Valley, p. 44, fig. 3.14.

Catalogue Note: One of the finest examples of Southern backcountry punched-tin-paneled furniture to ever appear on the open market, the present valuables safe represents a high-water mark in the history of rural American craftsmanship. Typically associated with food storage, punched-tin-paneled furniture forms were also used in domestic spaces outside the kitchen or dining room and served a wide range of purposes within the household, from storing linens to securing valuables. The fine details and delicate nature of this example suggest its use atop a bureau or dressing table in a lady’s bedchamber for the storage of her personal items.

Provenance: Purchased from “White Hall”, Ft. Defiance, Augusta Co., VA. Descended in the family of Gen. Charles Sommerville Roller Jr. (1879-1963) of Augusta Co., principal of Augusta Military Academy, 1907-1963. Probably from his grandfather, Jacob C. Roller (1809-1884), and made for his wife, Margaret Hyde (1813-1862) on the occasion of their 1835 marriage.

Exhibited: Safes of the Valley, Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester, VA, May 2014 - March 2015.

Excellent overall condition with minor scattered wear. Losses to bone-inlaid escutcheon.

$20,000 - $30,000

1065. AUGUSTA CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA WALNUT STAND TABLE, the two-board top having a generous overhang, above a single dovetailed drawer with a later glass knob, raised on tall, well-turned legs. Yellow pine secondary wood. Retains an old, dry surface with warm color. Probably the shop of Moses Alexander (1815-1902) and/or William Alexander (1820-1901), Waynesboro, Co., VA. Circa 1840. 29” H, 24 1/4” x 23 3/4” top.

Catalogue Note: See Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates Premier Americana Auction, 11/19/2021, lot 2210, for a classic Augusta Co. large-frame food safe from Alexander’s Waynesboro shop featuring turned legs that are nearly identical to the present stand. The Coiner family (see provenance) settled in the Crimora/Waynesboro area of Augusta Co. during the 1780s. The Casper/Kasper Coiner house, built in 1806, is located on Main Street in Waynesboro, very near the Alexanders’ cabinet shops.

Provenance: Esther M. Coiner auction, Rt. 250, Fishersville, Augusta Co., VA, 2/21/1992. Descended in the Coiner family, possibly from Revolutionary War soldier, Casper/Kasper Koiner (1764-1856) of Crimora/Waynesboro, VA.

Very good overall condition with minor scattered wear and discoloration, slightly heavier to top.

$500 - $800

1066. RARE AND IMPORTANT MCDOWELL FAMILY, AUGUSTA CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA QUEEN ANNE INLAID WALNUT DIMINUTIVE DRESSING TABLE, rectangular two-board top above a case fitted with one over three molded-lip drawers, each having thick string inlay, and an inverted tombstone and spurs cut-out skirt, the whole raised on turned tapered round legs terminating in the original flat pad feet. Replaced brasses and locks. Yellow pine, walnut, and poplar secondary woods. Retains an outstanding early dry surface with excellent color. Circa 1760. 26 1/4” H, 32” x 18 3/4”.

Catalogue Note: Colonial furniture from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia is extremely rare. The present table is accompanied by a partial note indicating its ownership in the McDowell family of Augusta (now Rockbridge) County, Virginia. The note reads “John McDowell / received land in the late / 1730’s - killed by Indians / in 1742 - Grandson Dr. Ephraim McDowell / [section missing] surgery - relative James / McDowell - Gov. of VA / 1843-45 - buried off Rt. / 11 - at Fairfield, VA / Painting in / courthouse / Lexington, VA”. Family patriarch Ephraim McDowell (1673-1770) was born in Ulster, Ireland, and migrated to America with his family in 1729. By 1737, they had moved to the Fairfield area of Augusta (now Rockbridge) Co. The dressing table was probably commissioned by one of Ephraim’s children or grandchildren, and it seems the most likely candidates for this may be his son John McDowell (1702-1742) (as the note suggests) or, more likely, one of John’s children. Many of the McDowells left the area for Danville, Kentucky, which somewhat limits the search pool. This still leaves a fair number of options open for lineage, but one of the most plausible, keeping in mind the names mentioned in the note, would be from John McDowell and Magdalena Woods (1706-1810) to their son, Col. James McDowell (1739-1771) and Elizabeth Cloyd (1739-1810), to their son James McDowell (1739-1835) and Sarah Buchanan Preston (1767-1841), to their son Gov. James McDowell (1795-1851) and Susanna Smith Preston (1800-1847) and then through their descendants who remained in Rockbridge Co. and kept the McDowell name. It’s also worth considering that it easily could have belonged to John’s daughter, Sarah McDowell (1741-1805), who married Col. George Moffett (1738-1811) in Augusta Co., where it could have descended in the Moffett / Cochran family. Another of John’s sons, Samuel McDowell (1735-1817), leaves for Kentucky, but his daughter, Magdalene McDowell (1755-1837), stays and marries Andrew Franklin Reid (1751-1837), where the dressing table could have descended in the Reid family of Lexington. The Tannehills were pioneers in collecting and dealing in antiques and operated a series of antiques shops in Staunton, VA, starting in the 1920s. One of these shops was located in the lobby of the Stonewall Jackson Hotel in the 1930s and run by Mary E. “Polly” Tannehill, with repairs and restorations being performed by Joseph Francis Tannehill. The Tannehills were known to purchase a large number of antiques in the upper Shenandoah Valley for the renowned antiques dealer Joe Kindig Jr. of York, Pennsylvania. Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates is grateful to Robert Gang (fifth great-grandson of Samuel McDowell) and Tim McDowell for their contribution to the research regarding the McDowell family.

Provenance: Jeffrey S. Evans (T/A GVA), 2/17/1990. Ex-estate of Joane Tannehill, Staunton, VA. Descended in the McDowell family of Augusta/Rockbridge Co., VA.

In very good original condition, except for the aforementioned replaced brasses and locks. The top drawer has a repair at the front proper left dovetail junction, three runners on the low drawers have been repaired, lacking the escutcheons, the drawer lips have only two small losses, and two feet have a section detached but present with no losses.

$10,000 - $15,000

1067. STIREWALT FAMILY, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA, PAINT-DECORATED YELLOW PINE CHILD’S / DIMINUTIVE BLANKET CHEST, the hinged rectangular lid with applied moldings over a conforming dovetailed case featuring a poplar lidded till to the interior, raised on its original turned and ebonized feet mortised through the bottom of the case. Retains its original yellow, red, and white stenciled and black free-hand sponge decorations against a dark green ground; the moldings and case corners are also ebonized. The complex decorations feature a shield-breast spread-wing eagle grasping a leaf in each talon, flanked by two eight-point “Virginia” stars, and pairs of stems with five leaves to the front; facing pairs of dotted “Virginia parrots” flanked by four “Virginia” stars, the top two with added spikes to each end; and four stems with five leaves to the top. Attributed to Jacob Stirewalt (1805-1869) and/or John N. Stirewalt (1802-1836), New Market, Shenandoah Co., VA. Circa 1840. 14 3/4” H, 27 3/4” W, 15 1/4” D.

Published: Moore and Goodman - “Painted Boxes and Miniature Chests from Shenandoah County, Virginia: The Stirewalt Group”, The Magazine Antiques, September 2007, p. 81, figs. 12a, 12b. Moore and Goodman incorrectly state “The feet are replacements”.

Catalogue Note: The present box is one of an important group of paint-decorated boxes/chests attributed to the Stirewalt family of New Market, Shenandoah Co., VA, that are all linked by parallels in construction, materials, and decoration. It is unclear at present exactly who is responsible for the construction and decoration of these boxes, but it is clear that the effort was likely a collaborative one, given the degree of variation found in the group. Regardless, Jacob and/or John Stirewalt of New Market, Virginia and Rowan Co., North Carolina, seem to be at the center of the story. See lot 1068 in the present sale for a smaller example attributed to this school.

Provenance: Purchased at an estate auction in Roanoke, VA, of a family that had moved there from the New Market area.

Good overall condition with expected wear. The feet have lost their lower spikes and one has chips to the top edge. The lid with later hinges, a narrow patch at one hinge area, small losses to the moldings, a glued break running from end to end, showing evidence of having been repaired with braces, and wear to the decoration/paint. The case with a small patch at one hinge area, loss of lock, and a later escutcheon added to cover the lock hole.

$20,000 - $30,000

1068. STIREWALT FAMILY, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA, PAINT-DECORATED YELLOW PINE TRINKET BOX, the hinged rectangular lid with later leather hinges over a conforming case of nailed construction, raised on its original turned and ebonized feet mortised through the bottom of the case, the edges of both lid and bottom exhibit a mid-ridge profile which extends slightly beyond the parameters of the case. Retains its original yellow stenciled and black free-hand smoke decorations against a dark red ground, featuring a characteristic eight-pointed “Virginia” star to each end and the top, and five stemmed “sprouting leaves” to the front. Attributed to Jacob Stirewalt (1805-1869) and/or John N. Stirewalt (1802-1836), New Market, Shenandoah Co., VA. Circa 1840. 5 1/2” H, 8 1/2” W, 4 3/4” D.

Published: Moore and Goodman - “Painted Boxes and Miniature Chests from Shenandoah County, Virginia: The Stirewalt Group”, The Magazine Antiques, September 2007, p. 79, fig. 7, top right. Moore and Goodman indicate that the present box is one of only two examples recorded employing the “sprouting leaves” stencil.

Catalogue Note: The present box is one of an important group of paint-decorated boxes/chests attributed to the Stirewalt family of New Market, Shenandoah Co., VA, that are all linked by parallels in construction, materials, and decoration. It is unclear at present exactly who is responsible for the construction and decoration of these boxes, but it is clear that the effort was likely a collaborative one, given the degree of variation found in the group. Regardless, Jacob and/or John Stirewalt of New Market, Virginia and Rowan Co., North Carolina, seem to be at the center of the story. See lot 1067 in the present sale for a similar example attributed to this school.

Provenance: Purchased at a Lohr estate auction in Woodstock, Shenandoah Co., VA.

Very good condition, top with a quarter-size stain affecting the star, otherwise only some light wear.

$3,000 - $5,000

1069. VERY FINE SHENANDOAH CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA PAINT-DECORATED YELLOW PINE BENCH / JELLY CUPBOARD, outstanding diminutive form featuring exuberant cut-out gallery over two fielded-panel doors flanked by paneled ends, the whole raised on square-tapered modified French-style feet issuing from the stiles. Retaining its original dry, vibrant, chrome-yellow-painted surface with combed decoration. Second quarter 19th century. 39 1/2” HOA, 31 1/2” WOA, 20” DOA.

Catalogue Note: An outstanding example of a diminutive bench cupboard, a rare form found primarily in the Shenandoah Valley. It has survived in remarkable condition, and is considered one of the top examples known. Provenance: George’s Auctions, Edinburg, VA, 10/27/2001. Ex-estate of Berlin Kibler, Woodstock, VA.

Excellent overall condition with minor scattered wear and discoloration, slightly heavier to top.

$5,000 - $8,000

1070. FINE AND RARE SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA PAINT-DECORATED POPLAR HANGING CUPBOARD, dovetailed case, the finely constructed form featuring applied cove-molded cornice over a double fielded-panel door concealing a single fixed shelf, above three short drawers at base. One drawer bears an old penciled inscription, “Ada C. Biller / Getz Va / This is mine,” to the side, and another is signed by Biller twice on the top edge. Yellow pine secondary wood. Retaining original turned wooden knobs, iron hinges, and an outstanding dry sponge-decorated surface in yellow and ocher. Rockingham or Shenandoah Co. Circa 1825. 29” HOA, 28 1/2” WOA, 13 1/2” DOA.

Catalogue Note: Ada Cordelia Biller (1888-1974) was the daughter of Benjamin Franklin Biller (1864-1953) and Minnie Estep Biller (1867-1949). The family resided at Getz, VA in 1900. Her ancestors were all from the northeastern Rockingham/southern Shenandoah Co. area. Ada’s parents are buried in the Morning Star Lutheran Church Cemetery at Hepners, VA.

Excellent original condition with minor scattered wear and discoloration, small loss to cornice at the proper right rear edge.

$5,000 - $8,000

1071. RARE SIGNED JACOB FRY (WOODSTOCK, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA, D. 1814), INLAID WALNUT AND CHERRY TALL-CASE CLOCK, eight-day brass striking works with cut-out false plate, the brass bell stamped “...ORTH WARR...”, outstanding painted-iron dial with Arabic numeral hour and minute chapter ring, seconds hand, and calendar aperture, the lunette painted with a British country scene featuring a castle, arched stone bridge, and figures. The hood has a broken arch pediment with an inlaid oval, and stringing which follows the contour of the broken scroll and simulates rosettes, topped with non-original urn-form finials, the arched door flanked by simple turned columns (two of four present), the sides set with tombstone side lights, all glass is original. The case waist exhibits fluted, chamfered corners, fitted with a slender lip-molded door having a central inlaid oval, stringing with a four-dot block in each corner set inside the door edges, and a kite-form escutcheon, attached with original brass H-form hinges. The base corners and inlays mimic the waist, and is raised on flaring French feet centering a shaped “cat-peaking-over-the-fence” apron. Original pendulum and tin-covered lead weights. Yellow pine secondary wood. Retains an old, lightly cleaned surface. Early 19th century. 98” HOA, 95” H without center finial, 19” WOA, 11 1/4” DOA.

Catalogue Note: Jacob Fry was likely born at Fry’s Fort on Cedar Creek in the northern part of Shenandoah Co. Sadly, not much is currently known about his life. We know that he knew the clockmaker Goldsmith Chandlee, which is evidenced by a series of transactions between the two of them over land in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Some theorize that Fry may have apprenticed with Chandlee, but without more evidence to support this claim, it can’t be certain. For an unknown period, Jacob Fry and fellow Woodstock, Virginia, clockmaker Caleb Davis collaborated to create a handful of clocks featuring both makers’ names. There is a relatively large number of different cabinetmakers making the cases for Fry and Davis’s works. The present case is one of several known having similar pared-down styling with heavily-carved detailing and strong moldings replaced by simple string inlay delineating the same fields.

Very good condition, dial has no paint losses or wear, the case with narrow patches to a shrinkage crack at either edge of the base face, and an old repair to a break at the proper left rear foot (no losses), part of bottom board missing. Unknown working condition.

$5,000 - $8,000

1072. FINE SHENANDOAH CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA FEDERAL INLAID WALNUT BUREAU / CHEST OF DRAWERS,

the dovetailed case featuring applied top moldings above two over three graduated lip-molded dovetailed drawers flanked by chamfered corners and solid ends, and an elliptical cut-out skirt, the whole raised on slightly flaring French feet. The inlays consist of a quatrefoil within a pointed oval between the top drawers, concave corner stringing to the drawer faces, each corner with a full-length undulating leafy vine, the top terminating in a berry and the bottom in a tiny heart, a half fan having a dotted border on the skirt drop, and kite-form escutcheons, along with banding above the skirt. Yellow pine secondary wood. The brasses are period but not original and are set in one original drilling, the top two drawers originally had Quaker/spring locks to the bottoms, the other drawers with original cabinet locks. One drawer with period penciled inscription “in demand / I promised / to pay or cos”, “Jacob Fauber the son of Joseph / Fauber April 22nd 1838” to the back, and “Jacob Fauber” beside an illegible inscription on one side. Retains an outstanding early, lightly cleaned dry surface. Circa 1820. 41 1/2” HOA, 38 1/2” x 19 1/4” OA.

Literature: For a similar chest, see The Shenandoah Valley Folklore Society - Folk and Decorative Art of the Shenandoah Valley, p. 38, fig. 401.

Catalogue Note: This chest is part of a larger group having variations on the same inlaid designs, which have always been attributed to Shenandoah County without direct attribution to a specific maker. The inscription on the present chest may be another clue in firming up an attribution. Jacob Fauber, Sr. (1749-1838) was born in Germany, and immigrated to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and then to Toms Brook, Shenandoah Co., Virginia by 1780. He marries Mary Ann Funk (1757-1836), and together they have seven children, one of whom is Joseph Fauber (1784-1861), who is mentioned in the drawer’s inscription, and another of interest is Christian Fauber (1779-1856). Christian’s death is recorded in the 1856 death register and lists his occupation as “Joiner”. Whether or not he is the maker of this chest is uncertain; it’s also unknown where he is learning his trade as a joiner. His son Samuel (1819-1872) is listed as a carpenter in the 1869 census, suggesting this may be a multi-generational, passed-down trade within the family. It remains somewhat unclear how the inscription mentioning Joseph and his son Jacob (1821-1908) specifically relates. Still, it is interesting to note that the “April 22nd, 1838” date is just over a month after the death of Jacob Fauber, Sr. It’s not impossible to think that this was among his possessions being split up by his family. Jacob Fauber (1821-1908), son of Joseph, moves to Spencer Township, Indiana by 1880, and it’s around this time when the chest is probably given to another family member or leaves the Fauber family all together. It’s possible that the Gochenour/Tusing family takes possession of the chest around this era and takes it with them from Shenandoah County to Madison County, where Benny Long purchased it.

Provenance: Purchased at the Duff estate auction, Madison Co., VA, 4/17/1999. Possibly descended in the Gochenour/Tusing family of Shenandoah Co., VA. Descended in the Fauber/Fauver family of Toms Brook, Shenandoah Co., VA.

Excellent overall condition with no repairs or replacements except for the aforementioned brasses, the top has lost most of its finish and has some stains, one front foot with a small loss to the bottom edge, some typical age cracks to the skirt.

$3,000 - $5,000

1073. NEW MARKET, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA WALL-PAPER COVERED YELLOW PINE

DOME-TOP BOX, fully dovetailed (mostly wedged) rectangular form, the hinged lid with original wooden knob, above the open case, raised on original turned feet that are mortised through the bottom. Retains its outstanding original polychrome-printed wallpaper in a stunning psychedelic design. Non-original leather hinges. Circa 1840. 11 1/2” HOA, 9 1/2” H box, 17” x 10”.

Well above average condition with most of the wallpaper intact, some expected wear.

$1,000 - $2,000

1074. NEW MARKET, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA PAINTED YELLOW PINE DIMINUTIVE

DOME-TOP BOX, fully dovetailed rectangular form, the hinged lid with original wooden knob, above the open case, raised on original turned feet that are mortised through the bottom. Old powder-blue-painted surface. Exterior hinges replacing the original leather. Circa 1840. 11” HOA, 8 3/8” H box, 12” x 8”.

Good overall condition, old glued repair and small patch to the rear rail of the lid at the top of the hinges, small losses at the rear corners of the lid, expected wear to the paint.

$500 - $800

1075. NEW MARKET, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA YELLOW PINE DIMINUTIVE DOME-TOP BOX, rectangular form, nailed hinged lid with likely original wooden knob, above the wedged-dovetail case, raised on turned walnut feet that are mortised through the bottom. Older cleaned surface. Exterior hinges replacing the original leather. Circa 1840. 9” HOA, 6 1/2” H box, 11 5/8” x 6 7/8”.

Catalogue Note: This is the smallest size recorded of these dome-top boxes.

Provenance: Acquired from the Newland family, New Market, VA, 9/1992.

The bottom board has been replaced, otherwise in very good condition.

$200 - $300

1076. NEW MARKET, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA YELLOW PINE DOME-TOP BOX, nailed rectangular form, the hinged lid with likely original wooden knob, lacking the feet, old, possibly original leather hinges. Retains remnants of the original wallpaper covering. Circa 1850. 12 1/2” HOA, 10” H box, 18” x 11 1/4”.

Fair as-found condition with some small areas of insect damage.

$100 - $150

1077. NEW MARKET, SHENANDOAH CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA WINDSOR CHILD’S / YOUTH CHAIR, hickory and poplar, the slightly peaked and concave crest above bamboo-turned posts and five spindles, and a shaped plank seat having a downturned, bladed front edge, raised on distinctive, robustly turned splayed front legs and ring-turned rear legs, joined with offset, bamboo-turned box stretchers. Retains an excellent dry, old black paint over the original blue/green-painted surface. Circa 1820. 29 1/4” HOA, 13 3/4” H seat, 13 1/2” x 13 1/2” seat.

Published: Evans - Come In and Have a Seat: Vernacular Chairs of the Shenandoah Valley, p. 61, Chair 32.

Catalogue Note: See ibid., pp. 60, 61 for a discussion of New Market Windsor chairs and related examples.

Exhibited: “Come In and Have a Seat: Vernacular Chairs of the Shenandoah Valley,” Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, December 18, 2009 - June 20, 2010, Chair 32.

Very good condition with expected wear and slight separation to the seat, the center spindle is likely an old replacement.

$500 - $800

1078. NEW MARKET, SHENANDOAH CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA FANCY BENCH / SETTEE, white oak/hickory, poplar, and yellow pine, the wide tablet crest above a three section back featuring three slats set between the four turned posts, the center section having an applied concave-corner rectangular ornament to the slats, scrolling arms, each with a slat-like support underneath, and a deep two-board plank seat with serpentine front profile, the whole raised on four robust ball-and-ring turned front legs joined by a center shaped “New Market” stretcher flanked by a plain slat-like stretcher to each side, the back having four plain turned splayed legs joined with slat-like stretchers. Retains a dry, weathered surface with remnants of white over-paint to the back. Probably from the shop of William Wickes Sr. (1795-1852), New Market, VA. Circa 1830. 34” HOA, 17” H seat, 22” x 68 1/2” seat.

Catalogue Note: See Evans - Come In and Have a Seat: Vernacular Chair of the Shenandoah Valley, pp. 70-73 for a discussion of the New Market Fancy Chair Group. Also see ibid., p. 71, Chair 38, and the following lot in the current auction for other examples of the “New Market” front stretcher, which evolved from similar but decidedly more delicate ones seen on Baltimore fancy chairs. Another New Market bench/settee in a private collection features the same concave-corner element and horizontal slats to the back, nearly identical to those on the present settee. It features a slip seat and descended in the Henkel family of New Market.

Provenance: Found in New Market, VA.

Good as-found condition, one arm is probably an old replacement, the other arm with heavy wear, age crack to one corner of the seat, otherwise intact.

$500 - $800

1079. NEW MARKET, SHENANDOAH CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA PAINT-DECORATED FANCY YOUTH CHAIR, poplar and white oak, tablet crest with chamfered rear edges supported on ring-turned posts centering a wide slat, above a shaped plank seat, raised on narrow-cuff and ringturned front legs and tapered splaying rear legs, joined by a distinctive shaped “New Market” front stretcher and plain offset side and rear stretchers. Retains its original rosewood grain-painted surface with stencil-decorated crest and slat, and free-hand yellow banding and pinstriping. Probably from the shop of William Wicks Sr. (1795-1852), New Market, VA. Circa 1840. 28 1/8” HOA, 15 1/8” H seat.

Literature: See Evans - Come In and Have a Seat - Vernacular Chairs of the Shenandoah Valley, pp. 70-73 for a discussion of the New Market fancy chair group and three chairs from the same shop as the present example.

Provenance: Jeffrey S. Evans (T/A GVA), 7/23/1994. Ex-Mary Rupp Orbaugh estate, New Market, VA.

Very good overall condition with light to moderate wear to the paint.

$300 - $500

1080. RARE SHENANDOAH CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA LATE FEDERAL WALNUT VALUABLES CABINET, unusual form with applied cove-molded cornice over a single scratch-beaded, fielded-panel door with applied moldings, concealing a fixed shelf, flanked by applied split-baluster ebonized half columns and paneled ends with applied beading, above a complex molded base, all raised on finely turned and ebonized feet issuing from the stiles. Yellow pine secondary wood. The door retains its original brass knob and cabinet lock, as well as one possibly original brass hinge. Retains a dry cleaned surface, showing traces of a blue overpaint. Second quarter 19th century. 26 1/2” HOA, 19 1/2” WOA, 13 3/4” DOA.

Catalogue Note: This form is rarely seen in the Shenandoah Valley. The applied split-baluster half columns and turned feet all feature an ebonized surface, which is seen primarily on chests of drawers from Rockingham and Shenandoah counties.

Provenance: Lacy K. Rea estate, Mt. Jackson, VA.

Good overall as-found condition with moderate to heavy areas of wear, mostly to the cornice, with losses to the extreme edge. The door is currently detached, with loss to the upper hinge area and a glued repair to the lower area.

$1,000 - $2,000

1081. SHENANDOAH CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA PAINTED YELLOW PINE JELLY CUPBOARD, an outstanding vernacular form featuring a single-plank door concealing three fixed shelves, solid ends, and cut-out French-style feet issuing from the stiles. Retaining an early blue-painted surface over the original red. Second quarter 19th century. 54” H, 36” W, 18” D.

Provenance: Descended directly in the Lutz-Eby Family of Lutz Hollow, Shenandoah Co., VA.

Very good overall condition with minor to moderate surface wear and minor scattered cracks. Turned wooden knob possibly an old replacement.

$1,000 - $1,500

1082. SHENANDOAH CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA PAINTED YELLOW PINE CHILD’S BLANKET

CHEST, post-and-board construction, featuring applied lid and base moldings and turned feet issuing from the stiles, period, mostly illegible pencil inscriptions to the underside of the lid, probably written by a child, with “mi chast” [sic] being the only semi-legible phrase. Retaining dry original red-painted surface. Mid 19th century. 16” H, 13 3/4” W, 15” D.

Good overall condition with moderate scattered wear and discoloration. Lid detached and lacking hinges with associated wear and small losses to back edge. Wear and small losses to back board of case. Proper left molding to lid replaced.

$400 - $600

1083. EXTREMELY RARE SHENANDOAH OR ROCKINGHAM CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA PAINTED POPLAR PUNCHED-TIN-PANELED PEWTER CUPBOARD, one-piece, step-back form of square-nail construction, the upper section with four fixed shelves, the bottom two fitted with applied plate supports, the lower section with two hinged doors, each set with two punched-tin panels bearing a design which features an elliptical eye-like central device framed by corner fans, concealing a single interior fixed shelf, all flanked by solid ends and raised on a bold cut-out bracket-foot base. Poplar and yellow pine secondary woods. Retaining its original dry blue-painted surface. Circa 1850. 72 1/2” H, 42” W, 16” D.

Published: Russ and Evans - Opening the Door: Safes of the Shenandoah Valley, p. 64, fig. 4.1.

Catalogue Note: Cupboards set with punched-tin panels are very rare. This example was used in a kitchen setting, and the top displayed pewter or ceramic plates, platters, and other tableware. Its nailed construction suggests that it was made by a carpenter or house-builder rather than a cabinetmaker. This cupboard was made for the mid 19th century kitchen addition to the original circa 1773 log house situated on the homestead of George and Barbara Keller Baumann/Bowman located between Timberville and Forestville, on the border of Rockingham and Shenandoah Counties. A section of the log cabin has been relocated to the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton, Virginia, where it represents the American Farm.

Provenance: Purchased from Houston S. Bowman out of the family log cabin (noted above) near Timberville, VA, around 1995. Descended in the Bowman family.

Exhibited: Safes of the Valley, Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester, VA, May 2014 - March 2015.

Very good overall condition with minor to moderate scattered wear. Surface somewhat irregular, possibly lightly cleaned.

$10,000 - $15,000

1084. FINE AND RARE ROCKINGHAM CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA CHILD’S WALNUT FALL-FRONT DESK, the diminutive form featuring a hinged slant lid concealing an interior fitted with cubbies, over four graduated full drawers, each having cockbeaded profile, all flanked by fluted quarter columns and solid ends, the whole raised on a framed base of cupid’s bow / double-ogee profile, with likely original blocking. Poplar, yellow pine, and walnut secondary woods. Retains an old surface with warm color. Late 18th/ first quarter 19th century. 20 1/4” H, 19” W, 8” D.

Catalogue Note: The present child’s desk is an extremely rare form in documented Shenandoah Valley furniture. Benny purchased it along with the child’s chest of drawers in the Dr. Henry Deyerle collection (see Sotheby’s catalogue, lot 541) at the Conn estate auction listed in the provenance. The chest was miscatalogued as Baltimore by Sotheby’s.

Provenance: Whetzel Auction, 9/18/1993. Ex-estate of Ruth R. Conn, McGaheysville, VA, descended directly in the family.

Excellent overall condition with minor scattered wear. Restoration to lopers / fall-board supports with facings likely original.

$5,000 - $8,000

1085. ROCKINGHAM CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA PAINT-DECORATED WALNUT CHILD’S BUREAU / CHEST OF DRAWERS, a vernacular Classical form with slightly cantilevered upper drawer over three drawers flanked by turned full columns and solid ends, the whole raised on a platform base with turned feet. Original turned walnut knobs and iron cabinet locks. Drawers bearing numerous pencil inscriptions relating to the piece’s construction. Yellow pine and poplar secondary woods. Retaining an early dry surface with ebonized embellishment to drawer facings, probably imitating figured crotch grain. Circa 1840. 26” HOA, 21 1/4” WOA, 13” DOA.

Very good overall condition with minor scattered wear and discoloration, slightly heavier to base, surface somewhat sunstruck with deterioration to varnish.

$1,000 - $2,000

1086. ROCKINGHAM CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA PAINTED POPLAR OPEN BENCH CUPBOARD, diminutive form with applied cove molding under the overhanging top, single fixed shelf, solid ends, raised on an applied cut-out bracket-foot front and cut-out sides. Retaining an old apple-green surface. Fourth quarter 19th century. 33 1/4” H, 26 1/2” W, 17 1/4” D.

Provenance: Discovered in Fulks Run, western Rockingham Co., VA.

Good overall condition with moderate scattered wear, heavier, with losses, to top.

$300 - $500

1087. WINCHESTER, FREDERICK CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA PAINTED WINDSOR CHAIRS, SET OF SIX, poplar and hickory/white oak, comprising one armchair and five side chairs, each featuring bamboo turnings, a shaped-tablet crest rail above five spindles, and a thick, shaped plank seat, the arms with “duckbill” terminals, raised on splayed legs joined by an offset box stretcher. Repainted green with yellow pinstriping by the Headley family in the 1940s. Attributed to the shop of David Russell Sr. (1754-1823) and David Russell Jr. (1799-1859), Winchester, VA. Circa 1820. Armchair: 34 1/2” HOA, 17 1/2” H seat, 19 1/2” x 15 1/2” seat.

Published: Armchair in Evans - Come in and Have a Seat: Vernacular Chairs of the Shenandoah Valley, p. 54, fig. 5.7. Provenance: Headley’s Auction, 4/1/1999. Ex-McSherry Lupton family, Winchester, VA. Original to the Lupton Homestead, Apple Pie Ridge, Frederick Co., VA.

Good overall condition, the armchair with a large patch to the seat from being used as a necessary chair, one side chair with seat repair, one post and one leg with repair, some typical dents, scratches, and wear.

$1,000 - $1,500

1088. WINCHESTER, FREDERICK CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA PAINTED WINDSOR ARMCHAIRS, PAIR, poplar, maple, and hickory/white oak, each featuring bamboo turnings, a stepped-tablet crest rail above seven spindles, arms with “duckbill” terminals, and a thick, shaped plank seat, raised on splayed legs joined by an offset box stretcher. Both retain an early, dry red-painted surface over the original black. Attributed to the shop of David Russell Sr. (1754-1823) and David Russell Jr. (1799-1859), Winchester, VA. Circa 1820. 36” HOA, 17 1/2” H seat, 18 1/4” x 16 1/2” seat.

Published: Evans - Come in and Have a Seat: Vernacular Chairs of the Shenandoah Valley, p. 53, fig. 5.6.

In good as-found condition, one with a small split to the proper right front corner of the crest rail, and the other with some old losses to the front top edge of the crest rail. Both exhibit appropriate paint wear.

$500 - $800

1089. RARE SHENANDOAH (NOW PAGE) CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA, PAINT-DECORATED YELLOW PINE BLANKET CHEST, the hinged rectangular lid with applied edge moldings having a square profile to the front and an ovolo lower edge; concealing an interior with a molded-edge lidded till, original wrought-iron strap-and-butterfly hinges, one rosehead stocking string nail, and grab lock with key; the dovetailed case with original pointed oval iron escutcheon, an applied complex astragal, cove, and bullnose base molding raised on original ogee-molded bracket feet with cut-out spurred returns, large white oak blocking, and unusual cut-out rear braces that are part of a molding applied the entire lower edge of the back of the chest. The moldings, feet, and bottom board are all attached with copious wooden pins; the top-edge corners of the case are also pinned. Retains an outstanding dry, original polychrome-paint over a red lead ground, the front panel laid out in five quadrants divided into 13 quadrilaterals, the center having a “Jacob’s Ladder” squiggle ornament surrounded by dots and bordered by elliptical elements, all of the other sections are vividly comb-decorated in various colors; the end panels feature a central circle filled with dots, surrounded by conforming combed decorations; the feet retain their original black-painted surface; and the top has a later 19th century grain-painted surface mimicking oak similar to that seen on interior house doors and woodwork. Late 18th/early 19th century. 26 1/4” H, 49 3/4” x 22 1/4” OA.

Catalogue Note: The present chest is part of a very small emerging group of paint-decorated blanket chests originating in the Page Valley. Each of the three known examples exhibits nearly all of the same construction details as those painted by Johannes Spitler (Virginia/Ohio, 17741837). The chests include over-pinned attachments of the lid, feet, and base moldings, pins at the top-edge corners going down through the upper dovetails, and a distinct lack of nails (the only nail in the present lot is the one remaining from the stocking string). The paint application technique also shares similarities in that a red lead base layer or primer serves as the foundation for the paint decoration, and some of the designs (in this case, the circles) have been laid out using a compass. Notable differences, though, allow us to ascertain that this is not Johannes Spitler’s hand. Firstly, all three known chests attributed to this painter are laid out in a quintipartite arrangement on the front panel, whereas Spitler’s chests mostly have a tripartite layout. Secondly, Spitler employs a very heavy hand in laying out his designs with a compass and straight edge, leaving behind deep gouges that he follows with precision when painting. In contrast, this artist’s compass lines are much fainter, and their painted edges are not nearly as crisp. This artist also appears to be laying out the designs on the chest prior to the base and lid being added, as evidenced by the rectangular fields being taller at the top and shorter (partially covered by the base molding) at the bottom. Spitler’s chests don’t show this, with his layout always accounting for the space taken up by the base molding. This chest, though, exhibits several stylistic differences that don’t align with the others by this artist, Spitler, or any other known decorated blanket chest in the Shenandoah Valley, for that matter. Primarily, the style of the ogee-molded bracket feet is highly bizarre for this form. Sadly, one of the chests in our small study group has lost its original feet; however, the photographs of the other example show the typical ogival bracket foot seen on most Spitler chests. Additionally, the rectangular fields that comprise the segmented front layout feature a combed, painted surface as their primary decoration. Several of Spitler’s chests exhibit this technique on their ends, as do other chests from the Mid-Atlantic region; however, it is rarely treated as the primary decoration. Regardless of their differences, the maker of this blanket chest is either the same cabinetmaker producing chests for Spitler or someone very closely related, and the consistencies in the paint decoration speak to a broader cultural demand existing within the Massanutten region.

Provenance: Acquired in Luray, VA in the 1990s.

Outstanding original condition, the dovetails at the proper left rear corner are separating slightly, some staining to the top, small chip and edge wear to the feet, one area of old sap leakage from the front board near the center, and only minimal wear and losses to the paint.

$8,000 - $12,000

1090. PAGE CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA STANDS, LOT OF TWO RELATED, comprising (1) a walnut open washstand with dovetailed drawer and lower shelf, and (2) a pitch pine and poplar stand table with nailed drawer. Each has an identical applied ornamental cut-out skirt below the case and pitch pine secondary wood. (1) Is signed to the interior of the drawer, possibly “Wm. P. Lamb”, and has replaced knobs. (2) Is signed to one side of the drawer “J. A. Somers his table”, probably for James Almond Somers (1863-1956), of Marksville, Page Co., VA, and has the original porcelain knobs. Each retains a dry, original surface, (1) has paint decoration on the drawer and skirt. Fourth quarter 19th century. 29” H, 18 3/4” x 24 1/2” and 29 1/4” H, 25 1/2” x 17 1/2”.

Provenance: Acquired at a Page Co., VA estate auction, 7/1995.

In good as-found condition, with wear to the surfaces, each exhibiting losses to the cut-out ornaments, and likely lacking the backsplash.

$200 - $300

1091. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA PAINT-DECORATED SPLIT-BOTTOM SIDE CHAIRS, SET OF FOUR, white oak and poplar, each featuring a shaped crest rail above four cut-out arrow-like spindles set in a plain lower rail, and original white-oak splint double-weave seat, supported on bent rear posts topped with unusual, delicate ball-top finials, and turned front posts terminating in ball feet, joined by a box stretcher having two rungs on each side. Each retains an outstanding original dry Spanish-brown painted surface with a gold-powder stencil-decorated crest rail featuring leafy sprays flanking a central sawtooth rosette, as well as additional free-hand turquoise blue and yellow decoration, including stencil highlights, banding, and pinstriping. New Market, Shenandoah Co., VA. Circa 1870. 33 3/4” HOA, 16 1/2” H seat, 16 1/2” x 15” seat.

Catalogue Note: The present set of chairs is from an important group that displays distinctive provincial design elements, including its decorations. A total of ten examples have been recorded, including another set of four sold through these galleries on 11/20/2021, lot 3239, a walnut oversized side chair, and an armed rocking chair. The latter two examples and the present set all have recovery history in the New Market area. This group is part of ongoing research on the artisans of New Market being performed by Jeffrey S. Evans.

Provenance: Acquired at a New Market, VA estate auction.

Outstanding original condition, two with a shallow loss to a rear post above the seat, one with moderate wear to the paint on the front legs, otherwise only light wear and some extremely minor breaks to the seats.

$1,000 - $2,000

1093. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA LATE FEDERAL WALNUT STAND TABLE, rare and unusual form with two-board top above four graduated, dovetailed drawers and paneled ends, raised on well-turned legs. Poplar secondary wood. Retaining likely original turned wooden knobs and an early dry surface with rich color. Second quarter 19th century. 31” H, 16 1/2” x 17 1/4” top.

Very good overall condition with minor scattered wear and discoloration, slightly heavier to top with minor staining.

$500 - $800

1092. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA PAINTED YELLOW PINE AND POPLAR BENCH CUPBOARD, with shaped integral gallery, two fielded-panel doors concealing single fixed shelf, and solid ends terminating in arched cut-outs, the whole retaining original blue-painted surface and likely original wooden knobs and turnbuckles. Second quarter 19th century. 40” HOA, 46” WOA, 17 1/4” DOA.

Good overall condition with minor to moderate expected usage wear, heavier to top, old repair to proper left rear foot.

$1,000 - $2,000

1094. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA SMOKE-DECORATED POPLAR OPEN WASHSTAND, the rectangular top having an applied gallery featuring a shaped profile, above a single dovetailed drawer, raised on robust turned legs joined with a lower stretcher and shelf. Poplar and yellow pine secondary woods. Later metal pull. Retaining its dry, original, smoke-decorated painted surface. Probably Shenandoah Co. Mid 19th century. 32 1/2” HOA, 22 3/4” WOA, 18 1/2” DOA.

Very good overall condition with minor to moderate wear.

$500 - $800

1095. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA PAINT-DECORATED WHITE OAK SPLIT-BOTTOM SIDE CHAIR, nearly straight twoslat back having the upper slat secured with two wooden pens on each side, above the original white-oak splint double-weave seat, raised on turned legs joined by a box stretcher. Retains its original dry blue-painted surface with brushed white bordered scrollwork decoration to each slat. The shop of Joseph Burket (1812-1892), Forestville, Shenandoah Co., VA. Circa 1865. 36” HOA, 16 1/2” seat.

Published: Evans - Come in and Have a Seat: Vernacular Chairs of the Shenandoah Valley, p. 37, Chair 16.

Catalogue Note: The present chair is likely the earliest two-slat style produced in the Burket shop. It exhibits a much more restrained decorative palette and is decidedly more vertical in nature than his more often seen chairs (see Evans, pp. 33-35).

Provenance: Discovered just north of Forestville, Shenandoah Co., VA.

Exhibited: “Come In and Have a Seat: Vernacular Chairs of the Shenandoah Valley,” Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, December 18, 2009June 20, 2010, Chair 16.

Very good original condition with expected wear and minor losses to the seat at the side lists.

$200 - $300

1096. FINE SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA PAINTED SPINNER’S BACKED SPLIT-BOTTOM STOOL, poplar and white oak, rectangular form with straight single-slat back, the posts topped with turnip-form finials, above the likely original white-oak splint double-weave seat, raised on plan turned legs joined by a box stretcher. Retains its outstanding, original, dry, blue-painted surface. Probably Rockingham or Shenandoah Co. Circa 1850. 24 1/2” HOA, 14” H seat, 17 1/2” x 13 1/2” seat.

Very good original condition with appropriate wear, some small losses to the seat at the lists.

$200 - $300

1098. VALLEY OF VIRGINIA WALNUT MINIATURE BLANKET CHEST, the hinged lid over a dovetailed case raised on an applied base with turned feet. Pine secondary wood. Retaining an old refinished surface. First half 19th century. 10 3/4” H, 18 1/4” W, 8 1/2” D.

Provenance: Acquired at an estate auction in 1993, descended in the Sheetz Family of Roanoke, VA.

Good overall visual condition with minor scattered wear, cracks, and discoloration. Lid with very slight bow. Bottom board and feet likely associated.

$200 - $300

1097. VICTORIAN WALNUT FRAME-STYLE BOOT JACK / PULLER, through-mortise construction, the turned top rail with end grips, raised on chamfered-corner square posts, and shaped base with cut-out heel grip, swivel post to hold down the boot front. Retains an excellent original dry surface. Fourth quarter 19th century. 36” HOA, 19 1/2” WOA.

Provenance: Jeffrey S. Evans (T/A GVA), 7/23/1994. Ex-Mary Rupp Orbaugh estate, New Market, VA.

Excellent condition with wear to the surfaces.

$100 - $200

1099. VALLEY OF VIRGINIA PAINTED FANCY ARM ROCKER, appears to be white oak and poplar, the shaped crest above four narrow, bent upper slats and four turned lower spindles, scrolling arms, and a shaped plank seat, raised on turned legs joined by front and rear stretchers, and original rockers. Retains an old, dry, black-painted surface with freehand decoration. Circa 1850. 38” HOA, 15 1/2” H seat, 17 1/2” x 16” seat.

In good overall condition, with no breaks or repairs, but showing some paint losses, primarily on the seat and crest.

$100 - $200

1100. PIEDMONT, VIRGINIA FEDERAL INLAID WALNUT MINIATURE BLANKET CHEST, dovetailed case with hinged lid having a shaped batten to the underside of each end, raised on flaring French feet with original blocking. Double string inlay to the front edge of the lid and single string to the front of the lower case. Poplar secondary wood. Original brass hinges and cabinet lock, replaced escutcheon. Dry, lightly cleaned surface. Circa 1820. 7” H, 10 3/4” x 5 3/4” OA.

Provenance: Purchased at Harlowe Auction, Charlottesville, VA.

Very good overall condition, small old patch to the lid at the proper left hinge, lid with fading and stain, loss to inlay at the base.

$500 - $800

1101. ALBERMARLE CO., VIRGINIA PAINTED YELLOW PINE CHILD’S / DIMINUTIVE STORAGE CHEST, nailed six-board construction, the hinged top with applied white oak battens under each end, which are hinged to the case, concealing an open well, raised on applied base molding with integral cut-out bracket feet. Poplar bottom, never fitted with a lock. Retains its original dry red-painted surface with outstanding patina. Late 18th/early 19th century. 12 1/2” H, 16 3/8” x 11 3/4”.

Provenance: Purchased at an estate auction in Albermarle Co., VA, 6/1996.

In very good as-found condition, with no cracks or breaks, exhibiting some typical wear.

$500 - $800

1102. RARE AND IMPORTANT ALAMANCE / CHATHAM CO., NORTH CAROLINA WALNUT WALL KNIFE BOX, hand-wrought nail construction, the slant-front case featuring a highly figured face with molded top edge, scroll-top ends and conforming center divider, and a backboard topped with a boldly cut-out scrolling pediment featuring a central inverted heart having interior spurs. The interior retains its original padding at the bottom to protect the blade points and exhibits the expected blade cut marks from use. Retains an outstanding early, and likely original dry surface. Along with a granny note written on Guilford College stationery, “Knife Box. Made by Hugh Woody about 1822 - for his daughter Mary Woody who married Joseph Dixion, ‘12 mo 19th 1822’. Presented to ‘Mary Joe Dixon’ great-grand-daughter of Mary Woody & Joseph Dixon for her wedding Aug. 7, 1928, 106 years after her great-great-grand-father presented it to his daughter ‘May’ - (a lovely Quaker maiden of 21 years)”; also in slightly later pen “Aunt Royal Dixon White’s note re the Knife Box.” to upper right corner. Hugh Woody (1770-1825), Snow Camp, Alamance Co., NC. Circa 1820. 17 1/2” H, 9 1/4” W, 4 1/2” D.

Catalogue Note: The present box is a significant, documented example of a long-misunderstood Southern form. Georgia decorative arts scholar Dale Couch has been documenting this form in Georgia and the surrounding regions for several years. His research suggests that this form was used as a storage box for butchering and other long-blade cutting knives, rather than the long-held interpretation of its use for candles or pipes. The discovery of the present example, with the family note headed “Knife Box,” and the presence of padding in the interior bottom, both firmly establish the original usage of these slant-front wall boxes. Maker Hugh Woody was a wealthy Quaker wheelwright and sawmill operator who had properties in Orange, Alamance, and Chatham counties. He attended and is buried at Cane Creek Monthly Meeting in Alamance County. He is recorded in the MESDA Craftsman database (#81466), although no work of his is documented.

Provenance: Purchased at Alex Cooper Auctions, Baltimore, MD, in 1998. Descended from Mary Woody Dixon (1801-1861), to her son Hugh Woody Dixon (1825-1901), to his son Joseph Moore Dixon (1867-1934), who presented it to his daughter Mary Joe Dixon (1906-1998), namesake of the original owner Mary Woody Dixon, on the occasion of her marriage to Ralph Gormon Hills (1902-1977). Both Mary and Ralph died in Baltimore, MD. Aunt Roxie Dixon White (1863-1938), who penned the “Granny” note, was the sister of Joseph Moore Dixon.

Very good overall condition, the pediment has an old repair to a break, resulting in a narrow loss to the interior and the back, along with losses of the upper spurs.

$4,000 - $6,000

1103. MID-ATLANTIC WALNUT PIN-TOP WORK TABLE, of generous size, the threeboard removable top affixed with battens to the underside over three dovetailed drawers, two affixed with their original turned wooden knobs, the whole raised on well-turned legs ending in spike feet. Pine secondary wood. Retaining an early, possibly original, dry surface. Second quarter 19th century. 29” H, 72” x 34 1/2” top.

Very good overall condition, the top with moderate wear and usage scars, narrow loss under the proper left front corner, the drawer bottoms with some light insect damage.

$800 - $1,200

1104. MID-ATLANTIC WALNUT PIN-TOP WORK TABLE, the two-board removable top affixed with battens to the underside over three short lip-molded, dovetailed drawers, each affixed with their original turned wooden knobs, the whole raised on turned legs ending in balland-spike feet. Pine secondary wood. Retaining an early, possibly original, surface. Second quarter 19th century. 28 3/4” H, 60” x 35” top.

Very good overall condition with minor to moderate scattered wear and discoloration, heavier to top, which is slightly bowed.

$500 - $800

1105. AMERICAN LADDER-BACK SPLIT-BOTTOM WAGON SEAT, probably maple, double two-slat back with turned arms and posts, legs joined with box-form stretchers. Retaining its likely original woven white oak splint seat and an early red-painted surface. Circa 1830. 31” HOA, 15” H seat, 34” x 14 1/2” seat.

Good overall condition with minor to moderate wear. Minor losses to seat.

$200 - $300

1106. AMERICAN LATE FEDERAL MAHOGANY WORK STAND, the one-board top fitted with two fall leaves over two full drawers and a sliding wooden work “bag”, all raised on turned legs fitted with brass casters. Replaced brasses in the original drillings. Poplar secondary wood. Retaining possibly original surface with rich color. 19th century. 30” H, 18” x 17 1/2” top (closed).

Good overall visual condition with minor to moderate scattered wear and discoloration, slightly heavier to top with crack. Drawer frames and cockbeading likely restored.

$200 - $300

1107. AMERICAN / BRITISH QUEEN ANNE MAHOGANY COURTING MIRROR, the molded frame surmounted with a cut-out scrolling crest, and its original mirror plate and backing board. Mounted in a later mahogany stand. Mirror: mid 18th century; stand: first half 19th century. 17 1/2” HOA, 11 1/4” WOA.

Mirror frame with typical shrinkage separations and small loss at one corner, crest with one replaced scroll and one spur, and two small holes to the center. Stand with one replaced screw support.

$200 - $300

1108. UNUSUAL AMERICAN QUEEN ANNE MAHOGANY LAZY SUSAN, the two-board round top with a molded edge and battens affixed to the underside supported by a tripod base, with no wrought-iron “spider” to the underside, having short sweeping cabriole-style legs terminating in pad feet. Retains an early finished surface with rich color. Fourth quarter 18th century. 5” HOA, 14” D.

Good overall condition with a shrinkage separation between the two boards of the top and a small shrinkage crack near this joint on the smaller board; legs with old repaired breaks where they join the pedestal.

$200 - $300

1109. BRITISH GEORGE III / AMERICAN CHIPPENDALE MAHOGANY LOOKING GLASS / WALL MIRROR, cut-out and pierced scroll-work crest with an applied and carved gilded Phoenix, above a molded rectangular frame with gilded and molded inner border, and lower cut-out drop with gilt-painted ornament, original mirror plate and backboard. Pine substrate. Retains an excellent early, possibly original surface with warm color. Fourth quarter 18th century. 34 1/4” HOA, 19” WOA.

Provenance: Acquired from Dr. Henry P. Deyerle, Harrisonburg, VA.

Good overall condition with typical cracks and repairs to the scrollwork, three spurs and tip of lower drop replaced, and small veneer loss at the bottom.

$200 - $300

1110. BRITISH SPATTERWARE FLORAL MOTIF CERAMIC DRINKING ARTICLES, LOT OF THREE, each having polychrome designs with blue-sponged decorations, comprising a teapot featuring rose motif and two large mugs having horizontal tulip designs. Unmarked. Second/ third quarter 19th century. 5 5/8” HOA, mugs 4” H, 4 1/4” D foot.

Provenance: Acquired from Dr. Henry P. Deyerle, Harrisonburg, VA.

Mugs mostly undamaged, one having a few minute/minor flakes to foot and stilt marks to rim, most probably as made; teapot with glued repairs to end of spout and cover, having a chip and some minute rim flakes, cover having a chip to top edge, and some crazing.

$200 - $300

1111. IMPORTANT AND UNIQUE MORAVIAN, SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA PRESS-MOLDED SMALL FIGURAL TERRAPIN / TURTLE BOTTLE / FLASK, copper-glazed, having a raised head with slightly protruding eyes, a gaping mouth that forms the opening of the bottle, and realistic incised lines to carapace and plastron but lacking definition to legs/feet and tail. 1800-1850. 2 1/8” HOA, 4 7/8” LOA.

Literature: Parallels Hunter (ed.) - Ceramics in America 2010, “A Recently Discovered Moravian Turtle Bottle” by Johanna Brown, p. 225, fig. 2; Hunter (ed.) - Ceramics in America 2009, “Tradition and Adaptation in Moravian Press-Molded Earthenware” by Johanna Brown, p. 225, fig. 2.

Catalogue Note: An important fresh-to-the-market example. According to a list of molds recorded by potter John F. Holland in 1821, turtle-form examples were produced in three sizes: large, smaller, and small. The present example would be considered the most diminutive of the three. Johanna Brown, Chief Curator and Director of Collections at MESDA, reported that this is the first example of a Moravian turtle bottle in this “small” size recorded. The vessel is unglazed on the interior (as are most Moravian figural bottles), which suggests that it was not intended for liquid storage but rather for dry storage or as a decorative item.

Excellent condition except head reattached at the neck with some minute glaze flakes/loss at break. No other losses or wear.

$20,000 - $30,000

1112. ZIGLER POTTERY, TIMBERVILLE, ROCKINGHAM CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA DECORATED / DATED STONEWARE PITCHER, salt-glazed, approximately one-gallon capacity, semi-ovoid form with medium tall neck having a single, incised medial ring and beaded rim, strap handle with medial groove. Exuberant, brushed and slip-trailed 16-petal/point flower/star below spout with foliated vine extending horizontally from each side, with “1832” above, the neck having a pair of parallel foliated vines to each side, a quatrefoil to the end of spout, handle having additional cobalt to terminals and seven vertical petals. The pottery of John Zigler (active circa 1830 to after 1850), Timberville, VA, probably by head potter Andrew Coffman (1795-1853). Dated 1832. 10 3/8” H, 4 1/4” D rim.

Published: Evans/Suter - A Great Deal of Stone & Earthen Ware, The Rockingham County, Virginia School of Folk Pottery, p. 5, pl. 3 and p. 43, fig. 35A.

Literature: See Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates, 6/22/2013, lot 8 for a 5 7/8” cream pitcher of identical form and color, and with similar decoration that was likely from the same kiln firing as the present pitcher. It is now on display in the William C. and Susan S. Mariner Southern Ceramics Gallery at the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA), Winston-Salem, NC.

Catalogue Note: This piece was discovered in 1990 in the basement of the Zigler home, located on the same property as the pottery in Timberville, VA. The “1832” date establishes the manufacture of the pitcher during the first period of production at the Zigler pottery. The earliest products of the pottery quite often display a dark brown surface, like this one. Andrew Coffman was born in New Market, Virginia in 1795 and may have received training in the potting profession as a youth from Jacob and/or Christian Adam, important earthenware manufacturers who had recently moved from Hagerstown, Maryland. Little is known of Coffman’s early life, but John Zigler’s account books record him as an employee at his Timberville, Rockingham Co. pottery (six miles west of New Market) during the years 1829 to 1839. This time at Timberville was a formative period for Coffman, an era in his life when he evolved as both a craftsman and as a student of the business. Around 1840, he left Zigler’s pottery and moved to the eastern part of the county. He first worked at the recently discovered East Point Pottery, formerly known as the Rickettsville Pottery, just west of Elkton, VA. Around 1843, he moved east of Elkton to the Beldor area, where he established his Cold Spring Factory at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Here he employed or trained a number of other important Shenandoah Valley potters, including John D. Heatwole. All five of Coffman’s sons became potters, and two of his daughters married potters. Coffman’s style and decorations were widely imitated by other Shenandoah Valley potters, and he is also believed to have introduced a new form in Shenandoah Valley stoneware with his production of short, bulbous, lidded preserve jars featuring applied arched handles, dubbed “squat pots”. Both literally and figuratively, the father of Rockingham County pottery, Andrew Coffman, is considered a pioneer in Shenandoah Valley stoneware and a highly important Southern craftsman.

Provenance: Jeffrey S. Evans (T/A GVA), 8/11/1990. The M. Otto Zigler (1907-1990) estate, Zigler Homeplace, Timberville, VA. Descended in the Zigler family directly from the original pottery owner, John Zigler (1786-1856).

Exhibited: “’A Great Deal of Stone & Earthen Ware,’ The Rockingham County, Virginia School of Folk Pottery”, Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society, September 7 - December 30, 2004, No. 35.

Excellent overall condition, having a minor chip to the end of the spout, a hairline crack to the base extending about 1” up two sides, and white residue to the interior.

$8,000 - $12,000

1113. JOHN D. HEATWOLE (ATTRIBUTED), ROCKINGHAM CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA DECORATED STONEWARE JAR, salt-glazed, designated two-gallon capacity, ovoid form with high collar, plain rim, beaded neck, and double-incised arched handles. Bold brushed cobalt chicken to one side, reverse featuring a caricature of a man holding an ax, and “2” capacity below one handle. Attributed to John D. Heatwole (1826-1907), Dry River Pottery (active circa 1850-1890), Rockingham Co., VA. 1851-1860. 10 3/4” H, 8 1/2” D rim.

Published: Evans/Suter - A Great Deal of Stone & Earthen Ware, The Rockingham County, Virginia School of Folk Pottery, p. 56, fig. 72A.

Catalogue Note: It is believed that Heatwole probably potted this jar, but the decoration is atypical compared to his other traditional embellishments. Therefore, it is likely the jar was decorated by one of his employees or his son Andrew.

Provenance: Purchased at a Rockingham Co. estate auction near the Dry River Pottery in the early 1990s.

Having some professional restoration, a visible hairline to exterior beginning near man’s face and extending horizontally to tail feathers of chicken, each handle with minor chipping to end(s), having a shallow chip to underside base edge, and some staining to interior.

$4,000 - $6,000

1114. COFFMAN FAMILY, ROCKINGHAM CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA DECORATED STONEWARE “RASPBERY” SQUAT POT / PRESERVE JAR WITH COVER, salt-glazed, compressed ovoid form with pronounced neck ring, plain rim, and arched grooved handles. Incised and cobalt-filled “Raspbery” [sic] in script to the shoulder and a bold brushed cobalt triple-tulip decoration to both sides. Fitted with its original cover. Attributed to Andrew Coffman (1795-1853) or one of his sons, probably at their Beldor Pottery near Swift Run Gap in eastern Rockingham Co. Circa 1850. 7” HOA, 5 7/8” H rim, 5 7/8” D rim.

Literature: Parallels Evans/Suter - A Great Deal of Stone & Earthen Ware, The Rockingham County, Virginia School of Folk Pottery, p. 37, fig. 19; and p. 60, pl. 47, bottom row, far right.

Catalogue Note: This jar is from a distinctive group that are more globular in form than the squat pots associated with Heatwole and Suter. Most display decorations that are closely associated with Andrew Coffman.

Provenance: Purchased in Culpeper, VA, 4/1/1995.

Excellent, undamaged condition.

$3,000 - $5,000

1115. COFFMAN FAMILY, ROCKINGHAM CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA DECORATED STONEWARE “STRAWBERY” SQUAT POT / PRESERVE JAR WITH COVER, salt-glazed, compressed ovoid form with pronounced neck ring, plain rim, and arched grooved handles. Incised and cobalt-filled “Strawbery” [sic] in script to the shoulder and a bold brushed cobalt triple-tulip decoration to both sides. Fitted with its original cover. Attributed to Andrew Coffman (1795-1853) or one of his sons, probably at their Beldor Pottery near Swift Run Gap in eastern Rockingham Co. Circa 1850. 6 3/4” HOA, 6 1/8” H rim, 5 3/4” D rim.

Literature: Parallels Evans/Suter - A Great Deal of Stone & Earthen Ware, The Rockingham County, Virginia School of Folk Pottery, p. 37, fig. 19; and p. 60, pl. 47, bottom row, far right.

Catalogue Note: This jar is from a distinctive group that is more globular in form than the squat pots associated with Heatwole and Suter. Most display decorations that are closely associated with Andrew Coffman.

Provenance: Purchased in Culpeper, VA, 4/1/1995.

Having a radial hairline crack extending across the base and slightly up the back, and running parallel with the base, the cover has a minor, shallow chip and three flakes to the edge.

$2,000 - $3,000

1116. STAMPED “ISAAC GOOD”, ROCKINGHAM CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA EARTHENWARE / REDWARE CROCK / JAR, double lead-glazed, approximately one-quart capacity, wide-mouth form with three incised rings below the squared rim. Having framed stamp with star at end. Isaac Good (1851-1907), probably working at the old Zigler pottery site in Timberville, VA. 1872-1875. 5 3/4” H, 5 1/2” D rim.

Literature: Evans/Suter - A Great Deal of Stone & Earthen Ware, The Rockingham County, Virginia School of Folk Pottery, p. 78, fig. 132.

Having a wide, shallow rim chip, otherwise undamaged.

$400 - $600

1117. ROCKINGHAM CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA EARTHENWARE / REDWARE BOWL, single lead-glazed, deep slanted-shoulder form with a 3 3/4” bottom, upright rim with a 7/8” wide triple-bead edge, resting on a pronounced foot. The John Zigler Pottery (active circa 1830 to after 1850), Timberville, VA, probably by head potter Andrew Coffman (1795-1853). 1830-1840. 3” H, 11 1/4” D rim, 5 3/4” D foot.

Catalogue Note: Recovered at the Wine family homestead on Middle Road in southern Shenandoah Co. between Forestville and Timberville, roughly five miles north of the Zigler Pottery.

Provenance: Purchased at the Isaac J. Wine auction comprising the contents of the Wine family homeplace, Forestville, Shenandoah Co., VA, 5/25/1996. Descended from Jacob Wine (1811-1880), Daniel Peter Wine (1855-1923), Jacob David Wine (1881-1968), and Isaac Jacob Wine (1911-1997), all living at the same homeplace.

Good as-found condition, having a 2” hairline off the rim, along with wear and small spots of glaze loss to the interior.

$300 - $500

1118. ROCKINGHAM CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA EARTHENWARE / REDWARE DISHES / PANS, LOT OF TWO, single lead-glazed, each of shallow slanted-shoulder form with a 5 3/4” bottom, upright rim with a 7/8” wide triple-bead edge, resting on a pronounced foot. The John Zigler Pottery (active circa 1830 to after 1850), Timberville, VA, probably by head potter Andrew Coffman (1795-1853). 1830-1840. 2 1/8” H, 10 1/4” and 10 1/2” D rims, 6 3/4” and 7” D feet.

Catalogue Note: Recovered at the Wine family homestead on Middle Road in southern Shenandoah Co. between Forestville and Timberville, roughly five miles north of the Zigler Pottery.

Very good as-found condition, free of cracks, wear, or glaze loss, each with some shallow chips to the rim, one with a minor chip to the foot.

$400 - $600

1119. ROCKINGHAM CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA EARTHENWARE / REDWARE DISHES / PANS, LOT OF TWO, single leadglazed, each of shallow slanted-shoulder form with a 6 1/4” bottom, upright rim with a 7/8” wide triple-bead edge, resting on a pronounced foot. The John Zigler Pottery (active circa 1830 to after 1850), Timberville, VA, probably by head potter Andrew Coffman (1795-1853). 1830-1840. 2 1/4” H, 10 3/4” and 11” D rims, 7 5/8” D feet.

Catalogue Note: Recovered at the Wine family homestead on Middle Road in southern Shenandoah Co. between Forestville and Timberville, roughly five miles north of the Zigler Pottery.

Good as-found condition, each with an elliptical hairline/crack to the bottom on the interior only and two areas which the glaze did not cover, as made, one with a chip to the rim and an area of exterior exfoliation at the foot, the other with several shallow rim chips/flakes and some minor roughness to the foot.

$300 - $500

1120. ROCKINGHAM / SHENANDOAH CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA EARTHENWARE / REDWARE DIMINUTIVE AND MINIATURE JARS, LOT OF TWO, double lead-glazed, comprising (1) wide-mouth cylindrical form that tapers above the foot with two incised rings below the wide flattened rim, unglazed under the base; and (2) wide-mouth semi-ovoid form with rounded rim and trimmed foot, partially glazed under the base. Possibly New Market, VA. Mid 19th century. 2 1/4” H, 2 5/8” D; and 4 1/8” H, 3 1/2” D.

Larger example undamaged with a kiln kiss to the side, as made, small example with a light hairline off the rim and extending part of the way around the body.

$200 - $300

1121. ROCKINGHAM CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA STONEWARE ARTICLES, LOT OF TWO, salt-glazed, comprising a crock/ jar cover with button-like finial having a central nipple, surrounded by three concentric incised rings, and brushed cobalt feature decoration repeated three times; and an insect trap having a central platform surrounded by a well and raised flat-top edge, straight cut-off lines under the base. Cover likely the pottery of John D. Heatwole (1826-1907), Dry River Pottery (active circa 18501890), Rockingham Co., VA, possibly decorated by Emanuel Suter. 1850-1880. 5 1/4” D, and 8” DOA, 6” D inner flange.

Trap undamaged, cover with a chip to the outer edge, moderate chipping to the rim underside, and loss to the inner flange.

$100 - $200

1122. EXTREMELY RARE STRASBURG, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA DECORATED EARTHENWARE / REDWARE PITCHER, lead-, manganese-, and lead chromate-glazed over a slip wash, approximately half-gallon capacity, ovoid form with a reeded band below rim and another to upper body, heavy beaded shoulder ring, and applied double-channel strap handle with medial ridge. Brushed manganese dropped feather from rim to each side of neck and brushed lead chromate/chrome yellow dropped flower flanked by feathers from shoulder. Probably from the short-lived “Eberly & Keister” partnership of Jacob Eberly (1830-1908), Adam Keister Jr (1819-1876), and Henry Keister (1814-1875); or possibly Solomon Bell (1817-1882), Strasburg, VA. Circa 1874. 9 1/4” H, 4 1/4” D rim.

Literature: For a discussion of the Keister & Eberly partnership, see Comstock - The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 256, including the firm’s stamp and “1/2” capacity stamp, which is also illustrated on p. 289, fig. 5.243 combined with the stamp for J. Keister & Co.

Catalogue Note: This and the following pitcher exhibit a highly unusual blending of a stoneware form with earthenware/redware decorations. Their ovoid form and employment of a heavy neck bead are identical to many stoneware pitchers made by members of the Keister family, including Adam Sr. and Jeremiah. The decoration of two reeded bands is seen on many vases and other forms from the Eberly pottery, as is the slip wash, as well as the style of brushed slip decoration. In addition, Comstock notes on page 256 that “The Eberlys were responsible for having the kiln fired; the Keisters turned.” These combined features suggest that these pitchers were made during the 1874 “Keister & Eberly” partnership.

Provenance: Purchased in Clary, Shenandoah Co., VA, 7/1968.

Excellent, mostly undamaged condition, having some scattered glaze wear/loss to rim, spout, and handle.

$2,000 - $3,000

1123. EXTREMELY RARE STRASBURG,

SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA DECORATED EARTHENWARE / REDWARE PITCHER, lead-, manganese-, and lead chromate-glazed over a slip wash, approximately half-gallon capacity, ovoid form with a reeded band below rim and another to upper body, heavy beaded shoulder ring, and applied double-channel strap handle with medial ridge. Brushed manganese dropped feather from rim to one side of neck, two dashes below spout, and band below the reeded shoulder band, and brushed lead chromate/ chrome yellow dropped feather from rim to the other side of neck, to the top half of the handle, and neck bead, additional manganese to the lower handle terminal. Probably from the short-lived “Eberly & Keister” partnership of Jacob Eberly (1830-1908), Adam Keister Jr (1819-1876), and Henry Keister (1814-1875); or possibly Solomon Bell (1817-1882), Strasburg, VA. Circa 1874. 9 1/4” H, 4 1/4” D rim.

Catalogue Note: This and the preceding pitcher exhibit a highly unusual blending of a stoneware form with earthenware/redware decorations. Their ovoid form and employment of a heavy neck bead are identical to many stoneware pitchers made by members of the Keister family, including Adam Sr. and Jeremiah. The decoration of two reeded bands is seen on many vases and other forms from the Eberly pottery, as is the slip wash, as well as the style of brushed slip decoration. In addition, Comstock notes on page 256 that “The Eberlys were responsible for having the kiln fired; the Keisters turned.” These combined features suggest that these pitchers were made during the 1874 “Keister & Eberly” partnership.

Provenance: Purchased in Lantz Mills, near Edinburg, Shenandoah Co., VA, 3/1965.

Excellent condition, having a minor chip to rim and foot, some scattered glaze wear/loss to rim and spout.

$1,000 - $2,000

1124. STRASBURG, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA POLYCHROME-DECORATED EARTHENWARE / REDWARE WASH BASIN, deep pan-like form, rear soap dish with drain holes below an applied tight triple-scrolled ornament flanked by single balls above, and two open handles having molded design with applied balls to top. Probably the pottery of Jacob Eberly (1830-1908) and Daniel Letcher Eberly (1859-1919), Strasburg, VA. 1886-1903. 7 1/4” HOA, 17 3/4” WOA (handle to handle).

Literature: Parallels Comstock - The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 280, fig. 5.219; the Mangers - Pottery From the Shenandoah and Cumberland Valleys, p. 85, fig. top left; Rice and Stoudt - The Shenandoah Pottery, p. 69, pl. VI, bottom left.

Very good condition, soap dish having some glaze loss to interior and rim with some chipping to front and glaze loss, three chips to thick glaze on interior, and scattered, mostly minor, chips and flakes to foot ring, some possibly as made, some glaze crazing and scattered scratches from use.

$2,000 - $3,000

1125. SOLOMON BELL OR J. EBERLY & CO., ATTRIBUTED, STRASBURG, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA MOLDED SLIPWASHED EARTHENWARE / REDWARE FIGURAL LAMB, having finely detailed wool, legs, and facial features, retaining a significant portion of its original white slip wash. Attributed to the pottery of Jacob Eberly (1830-1908) and Daniel Letcher Eberly (1859-1919); or Solomon Bell (1817-1882), Strasburg, VA. Fourth quarter 19th century. 3 1/8” HOA, 12” LOA.

Literature: Parallels Comstock - The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 280, fig. 5.221; the Mangers - Pottery from the Shenandoah and Cumberland Valleys, p. 87.

Catalogue Note: An example of the same form in a private collection is pencil signed “Solomon Bell” in script which perfectly matches other known examples of Bell’s signature. This form was likely sold as a doorstop, with many exhibiting wear which correlates with that usage. Others were known to have been used to mark the graves of children, or to be used as footstones.

Provenance: Purchased at Chapel Hill Farm, Millwood, VA.

Scattered wear/glaze loss to medial body probably from being utilized as a doorstop, loss to end of front hoof on back. Manufacturing flaws including firing separation to back, as made.

$1,000 - $2,000

1126.

EBERLY

& CO. (ATTRIBUTED), STRASBURG, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA POLYCHROME-DECORATED EARTHENWARE / REDWARE MONEY BANK, copper- and lead-glazed, egg form with cut-out slot below top and pronounced foot, cut-off lines to unglazed base. Attributed to the pottery of Jacob Eberly (1830-1908) and Daniel Letcher Eberly (18591919), Strasburg, VA. 1886-1903. 2 7/8” HOA, 1 7/8” D base.

Literature: Comstock - The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 278, fig. 5.216, far right.

Excellent, undamaged condition.

$500 - $800

1127. STAMPED “BAECHER / WINCHESTER VA”, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA DECORATED EARTHENWARE / REDWARE COOLER WITH COVER, lightly lead-glazed over a slip wash, designated four-gallon capacity, cylindrical form with graceful shoulder and squared rim, applied arched handles, and protruding bung hole, cover having button-form finial. Incised wavy lines between incised bands to shoulder and incised “4” capacity below rim, cover having “6” incised to top. Stamped twice on the body and once on the cover. Anthony Weis Bacher/Baecher (1824-1889), Winchester, VA. Circa 1885. 13 1/2” HOA, 12 3/8” H rim, 7 1/4” D rim.

Literature: Stamp as Comstock - Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 164, fig. 4.240.

Rim having a shallow chip and bung hole with moderate loss to top; cover having scattered chips to edge, primarily to underside, a broken and glued repair to edge, and finial with some chips/losses.

$1,000 - $1,500

1128. STAMPED “SOLOMON BELL / STRASBURG”, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA DECORATED EARTHENWARE / REDWARE CAKE / FOOD MOLD, lead- and manganese-glazed over a slip wash, swirled eight-lobe form with open central tube. Solomon Bell (1817-1882), Strasburg, VA. 1850-1880. 3 3/4” HOA, 10 5/8” DOA.

Literature: Parallels Comstock - The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 235, fig. 5.97.

Catalogue Note: Despite being originally produced in large quantities, only a small number of signed Shenandoah Valley cake molds survive today. The very nature of their constant utilitarian usage and exposure to heat caused glaze exfoliation and breakage.

Excellent condition, having a shallow exterior rim chip, some scattered glaze wear, especially to rim, and moderate crazing.

$500 - $800

1129. STRASBURG, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA POLYCHROME-DECORATED EARTHENWARE / REDWARE CUSPIDOR / SPITTOON, lead-, copper-, and manganese-glazed over a slip wash, low form with rounded shoulder, cut-out ovoid-form drain hole, and pronounced squared foot. Attributed to the pottery of Jacob Eberly (1830-1908) and Daniel Letcher Eberly (1859-1919), Strasburg, VA. 1886-1903. 3” HOA, 7 1/4” DOA.

Literature: Parallels Comstock - The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 285, fig. 5.230.

Excellent, mostly undamaged condition, having some scattered glaze flakes to base edge.

$200 - $300

1130. STRASBURG, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA POLYCHROME-DECORATED EARTHENWARE / REDWARE CUSPIDOR / SPITTOON, lead-, copper-, and manganese-glazed over a slip wash, low form with rounded shoulder, cut-out ovoid-form drain hole, and pronounced squared foot. Attributed to the pottery of Jacob Eberly (1830-1908) and Daniel Letcher Eberly (1859-1919), Strasburg, VA. 1886-1903. 3 3/8” HOA, 7” DOA.

Literature: Parallels Comstock - The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 285, fig. 5.230.

Excellent, mostly undamaged condition, having some scattered minor glaze flakes to base edge.

$100 - $200

1131. STRASBURG, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA EARTHENWARE / REDWARE PITCHER, lead- and manganese-glazed over a slip wash, ovoid form with flared rim, beaded neck, applied lightly grooved strap handle, and pronounced foot. Probably Jacob Eberly (1830-1908) and Daniel Letcher Eberly (1859-1919), Strasburg, VA. 1886-1903. 7” H, 3 5/8” D rim.

Literature: Parallels Comstock - Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 278, fig. 5.215, back row, second from left; Manger - Pottery From the Shenandoah, p. 96.

Excellent, mostly undamaged condition having a minute glaze flake to rim and one to medial body. Manufacturing flaws including glaze skips, as made.

$80 - $120

1132. STRASBURG, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA POLYCHROME-DECORATED EARTHENWARE / REDWARE MATCH SAFES OR FLOWER STANDS, LOT OF TWO, lead-, copper-, and manganese-glazed over a slip wash, cupped form raised on a broad three-step foot, interior hollow to the base and fully glazed. Attributed to the pottery of Jacob Eberly (1830-1908) and Daniel Letcher Eberly (1859-1919), Strasburg, VA. 1886-1903. 2 1/2” HOA, 2 3/4” D base and 3 1/8” HOA, 3 1/8” D base.

Literature: Parallels Comstock - The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 278, fig. 5.215, front row; Manger - Pottery From the Shenandoah and Cumberland Valleys, p. 94, fig. top.

Smaller example having a minute glaze flake to medial body, a minor glaze flake to base edge and a shallow chip to underside base edge; larger example having scattered chips, some moderate to foot.

$200 - $300

1133. STRASBURG, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA DECORATED

EARTHENWARE / REDWARE FLOWER POTS, LOT OF TWO, each of conical form with rounded rim, punched drain hole and integral saucers, including one stamped “S. BELL & SON. / STRASBURG”. Each having brushed dropped feather decoration full-round including one with copper and other with manganese and copper. The pottery of Samuel Leonard Bell (1811-1891) and/or his sons Richard Franklin, Turner Ashby, and Charles Forrest. 1882-1905. 7 1/4” HOA.

Literature: Stamp as Comstock - The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 240, fig. 5.116.

Copper example undamaged; stamped example having two moderate chips to saucer rim.

$100 - $200

1134. SIGNED AND STAMPED “SOLOMON BELL / STRASBURG / VA”, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA DECORATED STONEWARE JAR, salt-glazed, “3” gallon capacity mark, cylindrical form with squared rim and applied arched handles. Brushed cobalt dropped flower flanked by feathers from neck on one side and reverse having “S. Bell” in script with three groupings of dropped feather-like designs below, additional cobalt to handle terminals. Solomon Bell (1817-1882), Strasburg, VA. 1860-1880. 13 5/8” H, 9 1/8” D rim.

Literature: Parallels Comstock - Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 215, fig. 5.44 and stamp as p. 211, fig. 5.34.

Rim having three chips including two minor, a moderate crack extending from rim to underside of base and a wire encircling rim to prevent further separation. Manufacturing flaw including glazed over chipping to handle, as made.

$300 - $500

1135. STAMPED “BELL”, WINCHESTER, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA DECORATED STONEWARE JAR, salt-glazed, approximately four-gallon capacity having an eligible capacity mark, ovoid form with slightly flared tall collar and plain rim, beaded neck ring, and applied double-grooved arched handles. Brushed cobalt horizontal triple bloom flower to one side and reverse having horizontal foliate only decoration, additional cobalt to handle terminals. Samuel Bell (1811-1891), Winchester, VA. Circa 1840. 15 1/4” H, 10 1/4” D rim.

Excellent, mostly undamaged condition having an approximately 7/8” L flake to rim interior and a flake to one handle terminal.

$300 - $500

1136. STAMPED “S. BELL.”, WINCHESTER, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA DECORATED STONEWARE JAR, salt-glazed, “1” gallon capacity mark, ovoid form with squared rim, beaded neck, and applied arched handles. Brushed cobalt triple bloom flower in a decorated flower pot on one side and opposite featuring a triple bloom flower with long stems, additional cobalt to handle terminals. Samuel Bell (1811-1891), Winchester, VA. Circa 1840. 9” H, 5 1/4” D rim.

Rim with two chips and base having a shallow chip to bottom front, and a tight T-shaped hairline extending partially up side.

$200 - $300

1137. STAMPED “S.H. SONNER / STRASBURG, VA”, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA DECORATED STONEWARE

CAKE CROCK, salt-glazed, “3” gallon capacity mark, cylindrical form with flattened rim and applied arched handles. Brushed cobalt upright feather decoration repeated twice to each side, additional three horizontal dashes of cobalt below each handle. The pottery of Samuel Harrison Sonner (1821-1901). 1854-1884. 8 1/2” H, 10 1/2” D rim.

Literature: Parallels Comstock - Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 303, fig. 5.293 and stamp as p. 302, fig. 5.291.

Rim with a few chips including one with associated hairline, one handle with a minor chip to one end and other having some scattered chipping.

$400 - $600

1138. STAMPED “MILLER & WOODARD, / STRASBURG, VA.”, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA DECORATED STONEWARE

JAR, salt-glazed, “1” gallon capacity mark, cylindrical form with squared rim. Brushed cobalt dropped feather decoration repeated three times from neck. Potter George Miller and merchant, William Woodward, Strasburg, VA. 1885-1887. 9 5/8” H, 6 1/2” D rim.

Literature: Stamp as Comstock - Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 445, fig. 7.68.

Rim having some scattered flakes and base with a tight L-shaped hairline extending partially up side. Manufacturing flaws including firing separation to rim interior, as made.

$200 - $300

1139. STAMPED “S. KEISTER & CO. / STRASBURG, VA.”, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA DECORATED STONEWARE JAR, salt-glazed, “1” gallon capacity mark, ovoid form with squared rim, beaded neck, and incised shoulder ring. Brushed cobalt horizontal three bloom flower to one side and reverse with single bloom flower. The pottery of Jeremiah Keister (1829-1901), Strasburg, VA. 1857-1870. 10 3/4” H, 5 3/4” D rim.

Literature: Stamp as Comstock - Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 289, fig. 5.243.

Having two minor rim chips and a few scattered flakes/chips to beaded neck ring. Manufacturing flaws including a firing separation extending from base, as made.

$200 - $300

1140. STAMPED “W.H. LEHEW & CO / STRASBURG, VA”, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA DECORATED STONEWARE JAR, saltglazed, approximately half-gallon capacity, cylindrical form with squared rim. Brushed cobalt vertical fern design to each side. The pottery of William H. Lehew (b. c. 1825-aft. 1891), Strasburg, VA. Circa 1870. 8 1/8” H, 5 1/2” D rim.

Rim having some scattered chips and flakes and a hairline, and base having a minor chip to underside edge and a radial hairline.

$200 - $300

1141. STAMPED “CARVER & WIGHTMAN / EDINBURG”, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA DECORATED STONEWARE JAR, salt-glazed, cylindrical form with slight shoulder and squared collared rim. Brushed cobalt dropped feather repeated three times from neck. The shop of Hiram Carver (c. 1826-1888) and William A. Wightman (1826-1876), Edinburg, VA. 1850-1865. 7 7/8” H, 4 7/8” D rim.

Literature: Stamp as upper line of Comstock - Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 385, fig. 7.19.

Rim having two chips including one minor and a minor chip to base with associated Y-shaped hairline extending partially up side. Manufacturing flaws including uneven rim and some kiln kisses, as made.

$300 - $500

1142. STRASBURG, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA DECORATED STONEWARE JAR, salt-glazed, “3” gallon capacity mark, ovoid form with high, slightly flaring collar and plain rim, heavy, beaded neck ring, and applied arched handles. Brushed cobalt dropped tassel-style decoration from neck to each side. Attributed to the Keister family pottery, possibly in conjunction with Jacob and Joseph Eberly (1874-1877), Strasburg, VA. 1850-1877. 13” H, 8 5/8” D rim.

Literature: Parallels Comstock - The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, form p. 287, fig. 5.236.

Rim with a few shallow chips, one handle having some chipping to underside edge, having two tight hairlines to lower half of body including a vertical crescent-shaped example, and a couple grey paint drips to interior.

$200 - $300

1143. STRASBURG, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA DECORATED STONEWARE COVERED CAKE CROCK, saltglazed, “1 1/2” gallon capacity mark (stamped three time around one handle), truncated cylindrical form with squared rim and applied arched tab handles. Brushed cobalt dropped feather decoration below rim repeated three times to each side and three dashes below each handle, cover having brushed feather design repeated four times to edge. Possibly the pottery of Samuel Leonard Bell (1811-1891) and/or his sons Richard Franklin, Turner Ashby, and Charles Forrest. 1882-1905. 7 1/4” HOA, 9 1/4” D rim.

Literature: Stamp as Comstock - Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 240, fig. 5.119.

Rim with some scattered shallow chips and flakes, one handle having a minor shallow chip to one side, base having a shallow chip to underside edge and a hairline extending partially up one side; cover broken in half and repaired, two chips to finial, and some scattered chips to flange.

$100 - $200

1144. JOHN GEORGE SCHWEINFURT, NEW MARKET, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA EARTHENWARE / REDWARE FLOWER

POTS, LOT OF TWO, each of tapered form with pie-crimp decoration under the rim and a punched drain hole, one with lead glaze to the exterior only and featuring two sprig-molded masks on opposite sides below the rim, the other is unglazed with remnants of green paint. The pottery of John George Schweinfurt (1825-1907), New Market, Shenandoah Co., VA. Circa 1870. 6” H, 7 1/8” and 7 3/8” D rims, 4 3/4” x 5” D bases.

Literature: Comstock - The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 307, figs. 5.302 and 5.302a.

Catalogue Note: See lot 1145 for the sprig mold used by Schweinfurt to make the masks.

Provenance: Mask example acquired from Henry Tusing (1910-1989) of New Market, grandson of John George Schweinfurt. Other from the Audrey Miller Zirkle estate auction, River Road, New Market, VA, 10/4/1997.

Very good condition with no cracks, mask example with some glaze flaking to the rim and a chip and flake to the base edge, the other is undamaged.

$1,000 - $1,500

1145. JOHN GEORGE SCHWEINFURT, NEW MARKET, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA EARTHENWARE / REDWARE SPRIG MOLD, unglazed, depicting a mask of a man. The shop of John George Schweinfurt (1825-1907), New Market, Shenandoah Co., VA. Circa 1870. 1 5/8” x 1 1/2”, 1/2” D.

Catalogue Note: This mold was made by Schweinfurt in New Market and used on flower pots, as seen in lot 1144 in this auction and also illustrated in Comstock - The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 307, figs. 5.302 and 5.302a.

Provenance: Sotheby’s - Important Americana, The Collection of Dr. and Mrs. Henry Deyerle, 5/27/1995, lot 608 (partial). Given to Dr. Deyerle by Henry Tusing of New Market, grandson of John George Schweinfurt, 1/29/1972.

Undamaged.

$500 - $800

1146. RARE JOHN GEORGE SCHWEINFURT, NEW MARKET, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA EARTHENWARE / REDWARE SLIP CUP, double lead-glazed, ovoid bottle form with a flattened side for resting while filed, a circular fill hole to the other side, two pinched sides for gripping, a short taped neck with ringed mouth, and a beaded foot, unglazed under the base. The pottery of John George Schweinfurt (1825-1907), New Market, Shenandoah Co., VA. 1860-1890. 3 1/4” H, 1 5/8” D foot.

Published: Comstock - The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 61, fig. 3.3, left.

Catalogue Note: This is one of only two recorded slip cups directly associated with potters from the Shenandoah Valley.

Provenance: Sotheby’s - Important Americana, The Collection of Dr. and Mrs. Henry Deyerle, 5/27/1995, lot 592. Given to Dr. Deyerle by Henry Tusing (1910-1989) of New Market, grandson of John George Schweinfurt, 8/15/1970.

Undamaged.

$500 - $800

1147. JOHN GEORGE SCHWEINFURT, NEW MARKET, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA EARTHENWARE / REDWARE SPRIG MOLD, unglazed, depicting a leaping stag, incised “GS / 1851” on the back. John George Schweinfurt (1825-1907), New Market, Shenandoah Co., VA. Dated 1851. 1 3/8” x 2 1/4”, 1/4” D.

Published: Shenandoah Valley Folklore Society - Folk and Decorative Art of the Shenandoah Valley, p. 114, fig. 822; and Smith - Arts and Crafts of the Shenandoah Valley, p. 19, lower right.

Literature: See Comstock - The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 310, fig. 5.308 for other examples.

Catalogue Note: Schweinfurt created this mold while he was still in Germany; he arrived in the United States in 1854. There are no examples of his work employing this mold.

Provenance: Sotheby’s - Important Americana, The Collection of Dr. and Mrs. Henry Deyerle, 5/27/1995, lot 608 (partial). Given to Dr. Deyerle by Henry Tusing (1910-1989) of New Market, grandson of John George Schweinfurt, 1/29/1972.

Undamaged except for a narrow spall at the left edge.

$500 - $800

1148. JOHN GEORGE SCHWEINFURT, NEW MARKET, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA EARTHENWARE / REDWARE SPRIG MOLD, unglazed, depicting a guinea pecking at the ground, incised “3 / GS” on the back. John George Schweinfurt (1825-1907), New Market, Shenandoah Co., VA. Circa 1851. 1 7/8” x 1 7/8”, 1/4” D.

Published: Smith - Arts and Crafts of the Shenandoah Valley, p. 19, lower right.

Literature: See Comstock - The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 310, fig. 5.308 for other examples.

Catalogue Note: Schweinfurt created this mold while he was still in Germany; he arrived in the United States in 1854. There are no examples of his work employing this mold.

Undamaged.

$300 - $500

1150. JOHN GEORGE SCHWEINFURT (ATTRIBUTED), NEW MARKET, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA EARTHENWARE / REDWARE CHILDREN’S TOY MUG, double lead-glazed, cylindrical form with applied handle, partially glazed under the base. Attributed to the pottery of John George Schweinfurt (1825-1907), New Market, Shenandoah Co., VA, possibly made by one of his children. 1860-1900. 1 5/8” H, 1 1/2” D.

Literature: Parallels Comstock - The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 306, fig. 5.298.

Provenance: Acquired from Henry Tusing (1910-1989) of New Market, grandson of John George Schweinfurt.

Undamaged.

$200 - $300

1149. JOHN GEORGE SCHWEINFURT, NEW MARKET, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA EARTHENWARE / REDWARE COIN BANK, single lead-glazed, globular form with domed finial, cut-out slot to the shoulder, and a pronounced foot, mostly glazed under the base. The pottery of John George Schweinfurt (18251907), New Market, Shenandoah Co., VA. 1860-1890. 3 1/4” H, 2 1/2” D foot.

Provenance: Sotheby’s - Important Americana, The Collection of Dr. and Mrs. Henry Deyerle, 5/27/1995, lot 796. Given to Dr. Deyerle by Henry Tusing (1910-1989) of New Market, grandson of John George Schweinfurt, 7/22/1970.

Undamaged except for a chip to the foot edge.

$500 - $800

1151. NEW MARKET, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA EARTHENWARE / REDWARE DIMINUTIVE / LADY’S CUSPIDOR / SPITTOON, lead- and manganese-glazed with “bubbled” surface, circular, slightly tapering form with concave center, D-shaped cut-out drain hole below rim, and some glaze splotches to base. Possibly John G. Coffman (1803-1889), New Market, Shenandoah Co., VA. Mid 19th century. 1 5/8” H, 3 1/2” DOA.

Undamaged.

$200 - $300

1152. JOHN GEORGE SCHWEINFURT (ATTRIBUTED), NEW MARKET, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA EARTHENWARE / REDWARE CHILDREN’S TOY CUP, double lead-glazed, truncated globular form with applied handle, mostly glazed under the base. Attributed to the pottery of John George Schweinfurt (1825-1907), New Market, Shenandoah Co., VA, possibly made by one of his children. 1860-1900. 1 3/8” H, 1 1/4” D rim.

Literature: Parallels Comstock - The Pottery of the Shenandoah Valley Region, p. 306, fig. 5.298.

Provenance: Acquired from Henry Tusing (1910-1989) of New Market, grandson of John George Schweinfurt.

Undamaged.

$100 - $200

1153. JOHN GEORGE SCHWEINFURT, NEW MARKET, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA EARTHENWARE / REDWARE AND RELATED

ARTICLES, LOT OF FIVE, comprising a double lead-glazed small dish of shallow slanted shoulder form with rounded rim and clamshell-like cut-off lines to the partially glazed base, a small flower pot saucer, two pipe bowls, and a wooden potter’s rib used by Schweinfurt. The pottery of John George Schweinfurt (1825-1907), New Market, Shenandoah Co., VA. 1860-1907. Dish: 1 1/2” H, 6 1/2” D. Saucer: 1” H, 5 1/8” D. Rib: 5 3/8” x 3 1/8”.

Undamaged except for minor losses to the pipe rims.

$200 - $300

1154. JOHN GEORGE SCHWEINFURT, NEW MARKET, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA EARTHENWARE / REDWARE CUSPIDOR / SPITTOON, double lead-glazed, circular form with flared rim, nearly straight sides having a D-shaped cut-out drain hole, and resting on a pronounced foot, mostly glazed under the base. The pottery of John George Schweinfurt (1825-1907), New Market, Shenandoah Co., VA. 1860-1890. 4” H, 9” D.

Provenance: Acquired from Henry Tusing (1910-1989) of New Market, grandson of John George Schweinfurt.

Excellent condition with a small spot of glaze loss to the rim, two stone pops, two glazed-over hairlines, and one glazed-over base chip, all as made.

$200 - $300

1155. NEW MARKET, SHENANDOAH CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA EARTHENWARE / REDWARE JUG, double lead-glazed, approximately one-gallon capacity, bold ovoid form with a heavy double-ring mouth and double-channel strap handle, resting on a trimmed foot, fully glazed under the base. Probably John G. Coffman (1803-1889), New Market, Shenandoah Co., VA. Circa 1830. 10” H, 6” DOA, 4 1/8” D foot.

Outstanding condition with no cracks or chips, some light wear to the mouth, very minor wear to the body, one very small glaze flake near the base, and two tiny stone pops.

$300 - $500

1156. NEW MARKET, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA EARTHENWARE / REDWARE CHAMBER POT, double lead-glazed with crawling to the exterior glaze, widemouth form with two incised lines, thick applied handle, and a broad, rounded rim, fully glazed under the base. Probably John G. Coffman (1803-1889), New Market, Shenandoah Co., VA. 1840-1860. 7” H, 8 1/2” D rim.

Very good overall condition with no cracks, the rim with one moderate and one small chip to the edge, the interior bottom with four small spots of glaze exfoliation, and some light glaze loss to the edge of the foot.

$300 - $500

1157. NEW MARKET, SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA EARTHENWARE / REDWARE BOWLS, LOT OF TWO, double lead-glazed, each of deep slanted-shoulder form with overhanging rounded rim, fully glazed under the bases. Probably John G. Coffman (1803-1889), New Market, Shenandoah Co., VA. Circa 1840. 4 1/2” H, 12 1/2” D rims, 7” D bases.

Good as-found condition, one with a crack from the rim to the base and a 1” hairline off the rim, each with one small rim chip and moderate usage wear, including some glaze losses to the interior.

$200 - $300

1158. AMERICAN, POSSIBLY SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA EARTHENWARE / REDWARE MINIATURE / CHILDREN’S TOY CAKE / FOOD MOLD, single lead-glazed, conical form with rounded rim and central open tube. Second half 19th century. 1 3/8” H, 4 1/4” D.

Excellent, mostly undamaged having a few minor rim flakes.

$80 - $120

1159. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA EARTHENWARE / REDWARE MINIATURE BOWLS, LOT OF THREE MATCHING, double lead- and manganese-glazed, each of shallow form with rounded sides, everted rim, and pronounced foot. Possibly New Market, VA. Mid 19th century. 1 1/8” H, 3 1/2” D rim, 2 1/4” D foot.

Provenance: Found in New Market, VA.

In very good overall condition, free of chips and cracks, with minor to moderate glaze losses on the rims.

$200 - $300

1161. VIRGINIA AND OTHER EARTHENWARE / REDWARE ARTICLES, LOT OF THREE, lead-glazed, comprising two large bowls/basins including a probable Virginia example of deep form with rounded rim and one conical-form example with flattened rim, and one squat-form pitcher having galleried rim, a single-incised shoulder ring, and a flattened strap handle. 19th century. 6” HOA, 16 1/8” DOA.

Each with expected usage wear; deep-form example having a faint rim crack and moderate glaze loss to interior base; flat rimmed basin having two moderate rim chips including one more shallow; pitcher having a shallow rim chip.

$80 - $120

1160. SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA STONEWARE DIMINUTIVE VESSELS, LOT OF THREE, salt-glazed, comprising a conical inkwell with a tall, slightly tapered mouth and straight cut-off lines under the base; a handleless cup of semi-ovoid form with a slightly flared rim and pronounced foot; and a cream pitcher of conical form with straight neck, pinched spout, and medial-ridge handle. Probably Rockingham and/or Shenandoah Co. 1830-1880. 2 1/4” to 3 7/8” H, 3 1/4” DOA.

Creamer is undamaged, cup with light flaking/roughness to the rim and foot, inkwell with a shallow chip and roughness to the mouth.

$200 - $300

1162. POLEY CARP HARTSOE (ATTRIBUTED), CATAWBA CO., NORTH CAROLINA DECORATED STONEWARE MINIATURE PITCHER, Albany-slip and alkaline-glazed, ovoid form with a flaring rim and pinched spout, applied strap handle, and a pronounced foot. Incised band of sine wave decoration to the shoulder. Attributed to Polly Carp Hartsoe (1876-1960), Catawba Co., NC. First half 20th century. 3 5/8” H, 2 1/4” D rim, 2” D foot.

Literature: Closely parallels Hunter (ed.) - Ceramics in America 2023, “John Wesley Carpenter (1842-1913): Tradition, Innovation, and Adaptation in the Post-Civil War South,” by Stephen C. Compton, p. 84, fig. 54.

Undamaged, two very small spots of glaze skip to the body, as made.

$200 - $300

1163. POLEY CARP HARTSOE (ATTRIBUTED), CATAWBA CO., NORTH CAROLINA DECORATED STONEWARE MINIATURE JUG, Albany-slip and alkaline-glazed, ovoid form with applied strap handle. Two incised bands of sine wave decoration to the shoulder. Attributed to Polly Carp Hartsoe (1876-1960), Catawba Co., NC. First half 20th century. 3” H, 1 1/2” D base.

Undamaged except for a shallow chip to the handle edge.

$150 - $250

1164. BALTIMORE, MARYLAND DECORATED STONEWARE MILK PAN, salt-glazed, approximately half-gallon capacity, low conical form with squared rim and pouring spout. Brushed cobalt tri-foliate design repeated four times below rim. Circa 1875. 4” H, 9 7/8” DOA (including spout).

Having a few hairlines including one associated with a minor rim chip and one extending across base.

$100 - $200

1165. BALTIMORE, MARYLAND DECORATED STONEWARE PITCHER, salt-glazed, ovoid form with beaded shoulder ring, incised neck ring, plain rim, thick strap handle, and pronounced rounded foot. Brushed cobalt dropped flower and feather decoration off shoulder, additional feathers flanking spout and to each side of neck, additional cobalt to handle terminals. Circa 1865. 10 1/8” H, 5” D rim.

Mostly undamaged, except having a chip to side of spout.

$200 - $300

1166. AMERICAN EARTHENWARE / REDWARE RECUMBENT DOG FIGURE, Albany-slip glazed, depicting a relaxed, wide-eyed canine with textured fur on a rectangular base, open-bottomed. Possibly Ohio. Second half 19th century. 4 1/4” HOA, 7 3/4” LOA.

Undamaged, having some minute scattered white paint flecks.

$100 - $200

Long Collection Catalogue Credits

Cataloguing: Jeffrey S. Evans, Hannah Paulk, Heather Cline, Troy Pittenger, Barbara Morris, William F. Kimbrough

Photography: William H. McGuffin, Missy Muterspaugh, Adrian Lindamood, Nathan Fisher

Catalogue editing: Jeffrey S. Evans, William F. Kimbrough, Hannah Paulk, Heather Cline, Troy Pittenger

Photo editing: William H. McGuffin, Missy Muterspaugh

Design and layout: Michael Varner, William F. Kimbrough, Jeffrey S. Evans

The Long Collection to be preceded by:

Premier Americana: Day One – Glass & Lighting

Thursday November 20, 2025 at 9:00 am ET

The day’s offerings will include our usual fine selection of free-blown, pillar- and pattern-molded wares; rare Lacy, including cup plates and salts; rare colored vases and candlesticks; 18th & 19th century European glass, including English wines; bottles and flasks; plus more. Highlights include an exceptional Lacy Princess Feather Medallion and Basket of Flowers compote in canary yellow, an impressive pair of deep amethyst pillar-molded tulip vases, and a very fine pair of twisted loop vases in cobalt blue.

The Long Collection to be followed by:

Premier Americana: Day Two

November 21, 2025 immediately following the Long Collection

The Long Collection will be immediately followed by our usual fine selection of American stoneware and other folk pottery; other ceramics, including English pottery and porcelain; country accessories, including burl treen, pantry boxes, and a selection of baskets; textiles, including samplers, quilts, and coverlets; and early lighting.

Premier Americana: Day Three

November 22, 2025 at 9:00 am ET

The day’s offerings will include our usual fine selection of rare Virginia & other Southern material; 18th & 19th century formal and country furniture, including many fine painted examples, several fine Southern pieces, and a number of pie / food safes, highlighted by a newly discovered Augusta Co., VA walnut punched-tin-paneled sideboard safe of impressive size, descended in the family; and a pair of Boston, MA William Mary leather-back side chairs; textiles, including quilts, coverlets, and samplers; American fine & decorative art, including a fine William Posey Silva landscape painting titled Jessamine Time in Georgia; historical material associated with the University of Virginia, including several Thomas Jefferson signed documents and an important Tiffany & Co. 18K gold presentation chalice given to Dr. James Cabell, founder of the medical school upon the 50th anniversary of his tenure at the university; a fine selection of American folk art, including fraktur and related works on paper, carvings, weathervanes, trade signs, hooked rugs, miniature portraits, and other naïve works of art; antique firearms and accessories; a collection of early maps, sold to benefit the MESDA Field Research Endowment; Oriental rugs and carpets; plus more.

Upcoming Events

March Americana

March 4-6, 2026

Spring Fine & Decorative Arts

April 22-24, 2026

The Benny Long Collection Catalogue

The Collection of Benny Long

The Collection of Benny Long, New Market, VA

Public Previews

Benny Long Tribute

Preserving the Past: The Collection of Benny Long

PENNSYLVANIA

1046. HARDY CO., VIRGINIA (NOW WEST VIRGINIA)

1058. RARE AND IMPORTANT FOLTZ

FAMILY SHENANDOAH CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA SULPHUR-INLAID

1072. FINE SHENANDOAH CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA FEDERAL INLAID WALNUT BUREAU / CHEST OF DRAWERS,

1123. EXTREMELY RARE STRASBURG,

1126.

EBERLY

Long Collection Catalogue Credits

Premier Americana: Day Three

Upcoming Events