On June 11, Alderfer’s of Hatfield, Pa., sold 61 lots of Stahl pottery during its decorative arts catalog sale. The single-owner collection was assembled by Nedra and the late Dave Hendricks of Boyertown, Pa. Examples from Thomas, Isaac, and Russell included plates, pitchers, creamers, vases, cups/saucers, a teapot, lidded bowls, a birdhouse, and a rare ring bottle.
The Stahl pottery had a diverse history and underwent several periods of operation. The family homestead is located in the Powder Valley in Zionsville (Upper Milford Township) Lehigh County, Pa., and has been preserved today by family descendants under the organized body known as the Stahl’s Pottery Preservation Society. The active group holds pottery festivals and conducts tours. To learn more, visit www.stahlspottery.com.
Charles Stahl was the patriarch of the family producing pottery in the 19th century. His sons, Isaac and Thomas, eventually took over. They closed the business around 1901 but reopened in the ’30s. Following World War II, Isaac’s son Russell was heavily involved.
A lidded Isaac Stahl teapot from 1935 measuring 8 inches in height sold to a woman in the salesroom for $5,558. It is believed to be a new auction record for Stahl pottery and by a wide margin. A comparable lidded teapot also with a gooseneck spout sold for $2,530 at a Witman Auctioneers sale on April 18.
Another highlight of the grouping at Alderfer’s was a rare ring bottle. Cataloged as a water vessel, the correct term for the round standing wreath-like ornamental vase with applied grape clusters and vines on a pedestal base is ring bottle. It was unsigned, but it was likely wheel-thrown by Isaac. It was in good condition and sold to an advanced collector in the salesroom for $2,106.
In the time period when ring bottles were made, they were called Hogmanay bottles. Hogmanay is the name of the Scottish New Year’s Eve celebration. As described in the April 1, 1954, issue of “The Pennsylvania Dutchman,” the Stahls employed itinerent tradesmen of Irish and Scottish descent notebly during Thomas and Isaac’s era. The Stahl ring vase/bottle is an example of an object that came to fruition through multicultural influences. The form bears both Pennsylvania German and Scottish roots. Few survived due to the temperature variations in their wood-fired kiln. “I know of three,” noted one collector. There is one in the William Penn State Museum in Harrisburg, Pa. There is the Hendricks example sold at this sale, and the late Lester Breininger owned half of one. “I’ve never seen a complete one in private hands,” said the buyer. “Lester (Breininger) took great pride in his, but he only had half of it,” said the buyer.
Three nice double-handled vases all with elaborate floral decoration were also sold. One brought $1,404, one was $1,112, and one was $625.
The photos show a sampling of the Stahl material and what the items sold for.
For further information, call 215-393-3000 or visit www.alderferauction.com.