George Ohr (American, 1857-1918) Fine Large "Molly Poem" Twin-Handled Vessel in Olive Drip Glaze with Speckled Brown Interior, Biloxi, Mississippi, USA, circa 1898-1910

Glazed earthenware
With two ear handles and an incised variation on Ohr's erotic "Molly" poem (see note below)
Signed to underside: "G E Ohr"
Museum accession number applied to underside: "L.S.OC.HK"

H: 6, W: 6 3/4, D: 4 1/2 in.

Property from the Collection of Dr. Ellis F. Rubin and Suzanne Borow Rubin

Note

Partly legible through the glaze, the incised text on the body of the present lot is a variation of an erotic poem Ohr is known to have applied to multiple pots. The common formulation of the poem reads: "Molly and I were on the beach engaged in nature's folly/the sand was hot upon my back/but the sun was hot to Molly."

Literature

Robert A. Ellison, George Ohr: Art Potter, Scala, London, 2006, p. 84 (related example illustrated)
"Appraisal: George Ohr pottery, ca. 1900", Antiques Roadshow, Season 14, Episode 20, WGBH-TV, aired December 19, 2010 (for a discussion of the "Molly" poem)

Provenance

Rago Auctions, Early 20th Century Design, Lambertville, New Jersey, May 18, 2019, Lot 1256

Collection of Dr. Ellis F. Rubin and Suzanne Borow Rubin