Lot 1021

JOHN SWANN ATTRIBUTED, ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA DECORATED STONEWARE JAR

Previous image preload Next image preload

JOHN SWANN ATTRIBUTED, ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA DECORATED STONEWARE JAR

Estimate: $200 - $300

Starting Bid: $100

(0 Bids)

by Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates
June 26, 2026 9:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
2177 Green Valley Lane
Mt. Crawford, VA, US 22841

JOHN SWANN ATTRIBUTED, ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA DECORATED STONEWARE JAR, salt-glazed, approximately two-and-a-half gallon capacity, ovoid form with flat-top rounded rim, incised shoulder ring, and applied arched tab handles. Incised inverted shield, "S", and additional large "8" on one side above base. Probably John Blake Swann (1789-aft. 1831), "Stone-Ware Manufactory" / Wilkes Street Pottery, Alexandria, VA. 1810-1819. 13 1/4" H, 7 1/8" D rim.
Literature: Form parallels Wilder - Alexandria, Virginia Pottery, 1792-1876, p. 49, fig. JS015; Hunter (ed.) - Ceramics in America 2012, "'Stone-ware of excellent quality, Alexandria manufacture', Part I: The Pottery of John Swann" by Barbara Magid, p. 115, fig. 2.
Catalogue Note: John Blake Swann was born in St. Mary's County, MD in 1789. After the loss of both his parents, Swann was apprenticed to potter Lewis W. Plum when he was 14-years-old. Following the completion of his apprenticeship, Swann founded the Wilkes Street pottery in Alexandria in 1811. The first years of the pottery were a success, however by 1817, America's economy began to wane and by 1819, the young country was in a full recession. Swann's business began to suffer and was in desperate need of a boost. In an ad from August 1819, he states that he had "been enabled lately to make a great improvement in his ware..." It is unknown what exactly he meant by this, but Wilder (Alexandria, Virginia Pottery, 1792-1876) theorizes that he may have started decorating his wares with cobalt at this time. It was also around this year that Swann began marking his pieces. Unfortunately, Swann's attempts to increase sales and dig himself out of debt were unsuccessful, he eventually resorted to selling the pottery to merchant Hugh Smith in 1825. Swann continued to work at the pottery through 1830 under Smith's management but by 1831, it is believed he moved West in search of greater opportunities.

  • Provenance:

    Ex-collection of Bill Chapman, Boykins, VA.
    Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates, 6/21/2014, lot 27.

  • Condition:

    Having a minor chip to one handle, some hairlines, possibly filled, around base including a filled Y-shaped crack to underside, and some areas of professional restoration to body, especially visible to interior. Manufacturing flaws including scattered kiln kisses, as made.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We no longer offer direct shipping for items won through Invaluable. After the auction, you will receive an email from [email protected] containing UPS shipping instructions. The email will include a link to a shipping form that must be completed and returned to The UPS Store. If you have any questions, please contact: Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates Phone: 540-434-3939 ext. 101 Email: [email protected]

Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000