Overview
A hand-altered terracotta vessel featuring a grotesque, expressive feline face with a wide-open mouth and protruding tongue.
Preliminary identification
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Overview
A hand-altered terracotta vessel featuring a grotesque, expressive feline face with a wide-open mouth and protruding tongue.
Story
Southern folk art has a long, storied tradition of 'face jugs,' originally designed to be so ugly they would scare children away from dangerous liquids or keep evil spirits at bay.
Maker / Origin
While the specific maker is not identified by a visible mark, this piece belongs to the tradition of 'outsider' or studio folk art.
Condition & Value
The piece appears to be in good vintage condition with a natural patina on the copper wire. There is some minor surface scuffing consistent with terracotta, but no visible structural cracks or major chips. Excellent preservation of the delicate tongue and ear tips.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Regional auction
· Jun 2024Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
$1,280
Dealer archive
· Mar 2024Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
$1,450
Marketplace sale
· Jan 2024Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
$980
Estate platform
· Oct 2023Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
$1,150
Auction result
· Aug 2023Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.
$1,375