Early Glazed Whimsically Decorated Brown Redware Mug By James C Seagreaves
Description: This is what we believe is an early nice glazed and nicely decorated redware mug made by James C Seagreaves. This brown colored mug has three black colored raised circles decorating the outside. The decorations whimsical in nature and show a sun, a person's face with large eyes and open mouth, and curvy linear cross. The mug has an applied handle and two incised lines, one near the bottom and the other near the top. The mug has a round flat base slightly outwards flared sides ending at a plain rim. The mug is glazed inside and out. It is signed JS for James Seagreaves, which is Mr. Seagreaves early mark. Later he would sign JCS for James Christian Seagreaves. We believe this mug is most likely for the 1950s or 1960s. A nice contemporary whimsical folk art mug by one of Pennsylvania best known folk artists. A beautiful piece of modern folk art redware to add to your collection. Please carefully view photos as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: Uncertain but most likely 1950s to1960s.
Origin: Purchased at an estate auction in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Size: The piece measures ~3 1/2" high, with the base being ~3 1/2" in diameter, the top being ~3 3/4" in diamtere and the piece being ~5 1/8" at its widest including the handle and the opposing protruding decoration. The mug weighs about 14.5 ounces.
Maker: James Christian Seagreaves.
Marks: Marked "JS" on bottom in cursive calligraphy.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: A beautiful piece of contemporary redware made by a master potter. A beautiful piece, which deserves a prominent spot in your redware collection.
Condition: The mug is in good overall condition with no cracks, repairs, or hairlines. The piece has general overall crazing to the glaze. Additionally, the piece has several small surface flakes to the edge of the top rim, which we attempt to show in the last two photos. The black exterior decoration also dhows some loss of the black coloring revealing the color of redware. This we are not certain whether it is intentional by the artist of not, but it sure gives the piece a nice look. The mug also has a few of the usual defects you would expect with all these primitive redware pieces such as pops, slubs, unglazed areas and uneven spots. However, these issues do not distract from the beauty or quality of the piece and are mentioned here for completeness. A great looking piece of folk-art pottery, that is 60 to 70 years old, in good overall condition to add to your collection. Please see photos for additional condition information.
