J. and D. Huntley Redware Dish - Wisconsin Pottery Folk Art

A stunning rendition of a 1778 antique, this redware dish was made by Joel Huntley, who along with his wife, Debra (the "D" in J and D) owns Wisconsin Pottery in Columbus. Handsomely  sgraffito decorated with three tulips in a double handled flowerpot, the plate is slip painted in brick red, yellow, green and black. The quotation around the rim, hand lettered along with the date 1778, reads "Das Seind Vrei blummen Auff einem Sie an und nimm si nicht." This copies the eighteenth century Pennsylvania German spelling on the original dish, which does not exactly correspond to current German spelling. It is translated on the underside of the dish to "There are three flowers on on {sic} one and do not take them," handwritten by Joel Huntley. In addition, the other marks include "Wisconsin Pottery Columbus WI" stamped into the clay; to the left, the completion date 03-11-03 and to the right "J. and D. Huntley."

The lower part of the plate has the date 1778 along with the original Potter's name--Abraham Hubener--and "Northampton Co, Pennsylvania." The original paper price tag for $128.00 is still attached and for the grand finale at the very bottom, an incised, very lifelike fish. (The name Hubener means "owner of a patch of farmland;" perhaps his land had a river or lake.)

The dish measures 11 1/2 inches in diameter, stands 1 1/2 inches high and weighs a hefty 3 1/4 pounds. It's in excellent condition--no chips, cracks or signs of wear (even the price tag is clean). 

The Huntleys founded Wisconsin Pottery, Inc. in 1984, but are permanently closed now. This is one of the most intricate, profusely decorated pieces of Huntley redware we've ever offered for sale. 

FF 4752