Rare 1949 Russell Stahl Blue-Gray Colored Small Redware Deep Bowl Bird Sgraffito
Description: A very interesting in form and color small redware deep bowl. This glazed piece has a flat circular base with straight outwards flared sides ending in a formed rim decorated with incised lines along the rim and scalloped edge to the bottom of the rim all on t he exterior. The small bowl is glazed inside and out with the base being unglazed and showing the typical colors of unglazed redware. We are uncertain what the bowl was used or intended for, but it is beautiful; and has an unusual coloring with an incised design on the inside which appears to be a bird perched on a branch, but that is difficult to ascertain since it is lightly incised and covered by the colors and the glaze. This is just a very interesting and different looking small piece made in the Stahl Pottery in Powder Valley Pennsylvania. The bottom shows details about the potter and the pottery as well as the date the piece was made. Please carefully review the photos presented as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: February 21, 1949.
Origin: Powder Valley, Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Size: The bowl is ~2" in diameter at the base, ~4 1/2" diameter at the top, and is ~1 3/4" high. The piece weighs almost 6 ounces.
Maker: Russell Stahl.
Marks: Marked "Made in Stahl's pottery by R R Stahl 2/21/49" incised in cursive calligraphy on the bottom of the base of the pot.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: This is a very nice unusual piece in form and color that is in good condition after being around for over 73 years made in one of the best and most famous pottery houses of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Very well done and would display very well in your collection of Pennsylvania redware.
Condition: The bowl is in good condition with no breaks, cracks, or hairlines. The glaze shows general crazing that is difficult to see due to the coloring of the piece but is there. There is a small chip to the edge of the bowl, which can be seen at 9 o'clock in the first photo. There appears that some of the glaze along the scalloped edge of the formed rim is lost, but this does not affect the look of the piece. To the opposite it does give the piece a certain character and nice look. In addition, the piece has some of the manufacturing defects you would expect in a primitive piece of redware of this vintage such as pops, slubs, areas where the glaze did not fully flow, and unglazed spots. This piece has very few such issues. Other than that, the piece is just beautiful, great looking, and would display very well in your collection. Please view photos for additional condition information.
