Overview
This is a whimsical, wheel-thrown stoneware birdhouse featuring an applied 'grotesque' face in the tradition of Southern face jugs.
1Identify
Preliminary identification
Contemporary Folk Art Stoneware 'Face' Birdhouse
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Story
Potters in the American South have been crafting 'face jugs' since the mid-1800s, originally as a way to showcase sculptural skill or, according to legend, to ward off evil spirits.
Maker / Origin
While this piece lacks a visible signature, it is clearly the work of a skilled studio potter familiar with the Appalachian or Edgefield pottery traditions.
Condition & Value
The stoneware appears to be in excellent structural condition with no visible cracks or 'spalling' from frost. As an unsigned contemporary folk piece, the value is driven by its decorative 'whimsy' and the popularity of face-related pottery.
Research
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