Rare Ohio Sewer Tile Football on Tee Still Bank

Circa 1925-1950: Measuring 8" in height, this rare salt glazed sewer tile football on tee bank is most probably the work of legendary Tuscarawas County, Ohio, potter Edward J. Ellwood. In his Illustrated Handbook of Ohio Sewer Tile Folk Art (1973), famed sewer tile afficianado Jack Adamson pictures an example of a sewer tile football, and we previously owned a signed EJE football. This bank is similarly detailed except that it is sculpted on a tee with the ball tilted and seemingly ready for kickoff. There are other extant examples of Ohio sewer tile banks that were molded from early cast iron mechanical and still banks and the opening on the bottom off this whimsical bank suggests that it, too, was molded from a bank. We also note that there is an old collection number on the bottom. This is the first example of this scarce form that we have seen, and it remains in superb condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs.