Solomon Bell & Son Two Gallon 12" Storage Jar

Signed Shenandoah Valley Freehand Decorated Stoneware

Circa 1845-1882: Solomon Bell arrived in Strasburg, Virginia, in 1845, living and making pottery there in the Shenandoah Valley for the next 37 years. This wonderful piece of historic blue decorated Bell family stoneware is stamped S. Bell & Son Strasburg and is marked with a naive backwards 2 that signifies its capacity. One one side of the crock, a kiln kiss has exposed a line of gorgeous unglazed red Virginia clay, showcasingthe natural beauty of the clay pulled straight from the Appalachian soil. This piece has no chips, cracks, or repairs and is a lovely example of the folky salt glazed stoneware produced in the heart of Virginia's still isolated Shenandoah Valley.