This miniature (4¼" tall) saltglazed stoneware pitcher marked “S Bell” emerged as the high lot of the sale. (The catalog attributed it to Samuel Bell when he worked in Winchester, Virginia, from about 1825 to 1842.) It is heavily decorated with cobalt floral and feather designs as well as other decorative markings. The unusually thin-walled pitcher has a classic shape with a stepped shoulder and a double-spur handle. The rarity of this pitcher is highlighted by the configuration of the maker’s mark, which does not have a period after the “S.” The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley added this little gem to its collection, paying $27,600 (est. $20,000/30,000).
Green Valley Auctions, Inc., Mt. Crawford, Virginia
by Walter C. Newman
Photos courtesy Green Valley Auctions
Green Valley Auctions held its semiannual auction of antiques, Americana, and decorative arts on November 14 and 15, 2008, in Mt. Crawford, Virginia. This was the second sale that advertised a specific emphasis on items from Virginia and the South. Judging from the overall strength of items within those categories, Green Valley is likely to continue with that focus.
The high lot of the sale was a Virginia-made item and perhaps one of the smallest pieces offered in the sale. A profusely decorated miniature salt-glazed stoneware pitcher stamped "S Bell" brought $27,600 (includes buyer's premium), within the $20,000/30,000 estimate. The pitcher was one of several items purchased by the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester, Virginia.
Corwyn Garman, exhibitions manager for the museum, spoke with M.A.D. regarding the acquisitions. He stated that until recently the fledgling museum had relied heavily on donations and loans to fill its exhibit spaces. Now, with the help of an endowment from the Glass-Glen Burnie Foundation, the museum is beginning to build its own collection. He stated that when "great pieces come to market, we want to compete for them. We are looking for pieces with a story to tell and that fit [within the museum's regional focus]." In addition to the pitcher, the museum acquired a Winchester-made kettle and candle mold, as well as a whimsical earthenware figure of a cat created by one of the Bell family of potters.
The sale included an important group of five watercolor sketches by John Jacob Omenhauser (1832-1877) of Richmond, Virginia. Omenhauser enlisted in the Confederate army in 1861 and was captured near Petersburg, Virginia, in 1864. He was sent to a prison camp at Point Lookout, Maryland, where he produced several sketchbooks and groups of drawings depicting life in the camp. Three of the sketches offered at Green Valley were labeled: "Different Modes of Punishment," "Federal Officer Buying Fans etc.," and "A Lady Visitor Come to Camp to See the Sights." The other two watercolors featured prisoners selling various everyday items-molasses candy and lemonade in one, and in the other, spoons and hot coffee. The images sold to an Internet buyer for prices ranging from $4800 to $2520.
A group of shorebird decoys by 19th-century Virginia carver Alma Fitchett performed exceptionally well. Fitchett served as a member of the U.S. Life-Saving Service on Smith Island, Virginia, in the Chesapeake Bay. Three snipe carvings by Fitchett were actively bid among several individuals, ultimately selling in the room, one for $6780 and two at $5650 each. The carvings had been estimated between $800 and $1500.
This is one of five Civil War-era watercolor sketches that crossed the block at Green Valley. Each depicts an aspect of life as a Confederate prisoner of war at Point Lookout, St. Mary’s County, Maryland. The sketches are the work of John Jacob Omenhauser (or Ommenhausser). Omenhauser was a private in the 46th Virginia Infantry. The former resident of Richmond, Virginia, was captured by Union forces near Petersburg and transferred to Point Lookout in 1864. Omenhauser’s work is found in the permanent collections of several museums as well as in the Maryland State Archives. This sketch is titled “Different Modes of Punishment” and features an African-American soldier guarding seven prisoners. Each prisoner is illustrated in a different “mode” of punishment. The sketch is drawn on an 8½" x 11" sheet of paper and includes extensive explanatory notes. All of the sketches sold to an Internet buyer. This one brought $4800 (est. $3000/5000).
The bowfront tiger maple four-drawer Federal chest of New England origin exhibits four graduated drawers above a scalloped skirt and is raised on flaring French feet. Dating from the late 18th century, it measures 38" x 42½" x 23½". The chest is in very good condition, and its brasses appear to be original. The chest was a strong performer and brought $11,300 (est. $2000/3000).
Although they are neither Virginian nor southern, two stalwart examples of early glass from the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company were well received. A rare brilliant deep violet blue tulip vase with distinctive white marbling brought $22,600 (est. $15,000/25,000), and a
BT-8 "LAFAYET" steamboat salt sailed away for $5367.50 (est. $1500/2500).
Rare and time-tested pieces aside, the Green Valley sale did seem to have a very solid group of items, and lots were actively bid across virtually all categories. The category that continues to lag a bit is furniture. Several pieces did exceptionally well, including a New England Federal chest of drawers in maple that brought $11,300 (est. $2000/3000) and a North Carolina chest-on-frame that sold for $10,170 (est. $4000/6000).
Surprisingly, however, an extremely rare Shenandoah Valley sack-back Windsor armchair made only $2260, just above its low estimate. Most other brown furniture pieces seemed to change hands toward the lower end of their estimates. One observer commented with a tone of relief, "Maybe we are finally at the bottom [of the furniture price decline]." Perhaps, but larger furniture items still seem to be selling for bargain prices compared to only two years ago.
For additional information, contact Green Valley Auctions at (540) 434-4260; Web site (www.greenvalleyauctions.com).
Originally published in the March 2009 issue of Maine Antique Digest. (c) 2009 Maine Antique Digest
