Lot 1019

HUGH SMITH ATTRIBUTED, ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA DECORATED STONEWARE JAR

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HUGH SMITH ATTRIBUTED, ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA DECORATED STONEWARE JAR

Estimate: $300 - $500

Starting Bid: $150

(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

HUGH SMITH ATTRIBUTED, ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA DECORATED STONEWARE JAR, salt-glazed, "1" gallon capacity mark, ovoid form with rounded rim, incised shoulder ring, and applied tab handles. Brushed cobalt broad vertical flower to one side, reverse featuring swag design below rim and six single leaves/"crow's feet", additional cobalt to handle terminals. Possibly made for Hugh Smith (1769-1856) at the Wilkes Street Pottery, Alexandria, VA. Circa 1825. 9" H, 5 1/8" D rim.
Literature: Designs parallel Wilder - Alexandria, Virginia Pottery, 1792-1876, p. 123, HS039a and stamp as p. 332, Var. I.
Catalogue Note: Hugh Smith was born in Knutsford, England in 1769. Immigrating to America in 1795, he founded a successful china mercantile business in Alexandria that would include his nephew Thomas Smith and eventually his eldest son Hugh Charles. Smith built numerous relationships with a variety of businesses in the city including John Swann's Wilkes Street pottery. By 1817, the American economy began to wane and Swann's pottery began to struggle financially and by 1821, the Wilkes Street pottery was mortgaged to Smith for the sum of $500. In 1825, Hugh Smith became the sole owner of the business after Swann was jailed in debtors prison. The pottery flourished under Smith's management. Smith hired numerous skilled potters and decorators to work for his shop on Wilkes Street including African Americans and those of European descent. By 1830, he relinquished managerial responsibilities at the pottery to his son Hugh Charles. Three years afterward, Hugh Charles left the pottery, returning full time to the family mercantile business. At this time, the senior Smith officially leased the Wilkes Street pottery to potter and employee B.C. Milburn and by 1841, had sold the business to Milburn. Hugh Smith died in 1856, at the age of 88.

  • Provenance:

    Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates, 9/23/2023, lot 1044.
    Ex-collection of H. Marshall Goodman Jr., Richmond, VA.

  • Condition:

    Mostly undamaged, except having minor chips to end of one handle.

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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