Rare Find Catawba Valley Pottery Basket Unglazed Reinhardt, Propst, or Hilton

Description

It's time to let go of a few of my favorite unusual pottery pieces and I think you will find this to be a most interesting piece.  Been collection for over 40 years and this was an early and exciting find.  I'm over 70 and the kids don't collect so I guess I'll sell a few pieces to someone else who loves this stuff.  Purchased it at a sale near Vale, N.C. from an older lady who said it had been in her family for years and was a locally made piece.  My guess was either the Propst, Reinhardt or maybe early Hilton but a lot of early potters worked in that area so who really knows.  It is unglazed so I first thought Hilton Indianware but have never run across another like it.  Sam and Floyd Propst and the Reinhardt brothers also made some unglazed pieces.  It is 6 5/8" long, 5 1/4" wide and 8" to the top of the handle.  Has a really nice pulled strap handle that was attached by pressing it to the body and smoothed with the makers fingers.  Unglazed with nice turning rings inside and only one very small nick on the base rim that is basically unnoticeable.  A bit of dark staining to the outside in places but believe original to the piece and a bit of white mineral residue do to being used in the past.  Never tried to clean it off.  A real survivor and probably made right at 100 years ago.  Doubt if you will get many chances to find another like this.  Winning bidder pays shipping with insurance and tracking.