1992 Breininger Redware Flat Sided Pitcher Sgraffito Distelfink, Tulip & Flowers
Description: A nice sgraffito decorated folk art redware pitcher by Lester Breininger. This flat sided pitcher has sgraffito decoration throughout. One side depicts a distelfink perched on a tulip, while the other side depicts two open flowers. The front of the pitcher is decorated with squiggly lines and the back has an applied handle. The pitcher has an almost round flat base which flares upwards with straight sides rising to a shoulder supporting a short neck with an outwards flared plain rim, which has a pinched spout. The pitcher also has an applied handle starting at the shoulder and extending to a point in the middle of the pitcher. The pitcher has a yellow-colored background with green sponged highlights and the brown colored sgraffito designs mentioned above. The pitcher is fully glazed inside and out but not on the base, which displays the typical unglazed redware coloring. The piece is signed and dated on the base. The piece has a great look typical of Pennsylvania Dutch folk art redware with a typical Pennsylvania German theme. This is a beautiful pitcher made in the studio of a master potter with the Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Please carefully review photos as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: July 1, 1992.
Origin: Robesonia, Berks County Pennsylvania.
Size: The pitcher is ~3 1/2" by ~3 1/4" at the base, is ~5 1/2" at its widest including the spout and handle, and is ~5" high. The piece weighs slightly over one pound and 1 ounce.
Maker: Lester Breininger
Marks: Marked "Breininger Pottery; Robesonia, PA; July 1, 1992; Hot!" in cursive calligraphy on the bottom.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: This is a very nice piece of folk art design redware which was made in the studios of one of Pennsylvania premier redware potters. Needless to say, Mr. Breininger has passed away in December 2011. A piece that is sure to become a valuable collector item as time goes by.
Condition: The pitcher is in excellent condition with no cracks, repairs, or hairlines. The pitcher has no apparent crazing to the glazed. We have examined the piece with a loop and were unable to identify crazing marks, which would be uncommon for such a piece so we may have missed it. The piece has some of the usual defects you would expect in primitive redware pieces like this such as pops, slubs, uneven surfaces, roughness to the surface, and spots that were not completely covered by the glaze. This piece however has very few of such issues. A great piece to add to your collection. Please see photos for additional condition information.
