Great Discoveries: Antique Ceramic Pedestal Found in Shed – WorthPoint

Virginia resident Johnie Hinson was about to tear down a shed so he could start a home-building project. Before doing so, Hinson decided to see if anything valuable was inside the shed. This decision looks like a wise one after Hinson’s discovery of an antique ceramic pedestal by a well-known ceramicist.

Initially, Hinson entered the shed and found a pile of unsorted junk, he told WAVY. The pile included suitcases, yard equipment, clothes, dishes, and pocket knives.

Hinson eventually saw the pedestal inside the shed but did not know what to do with it. He brought the pedestal to his daughter’s home. A few days later, Hinson’s daughter told him to “get this piece of junk off my porch,” WAVY reported.

At this point, Hinson was ready to pick up the pedestal and noticed “Frederick Hurten Rhead, 1902” carved on the top of it. This led Hinson to believe that the pedestal may actually be a treasure.

Hinson spoke with staff at the Museum of Ceramics in East Liverpool, Ohio, about the pedestal. Staff members told him that the pedestal may be paired with a vase and be a part of a larger ceramic piece. However, at this time, it is unclear if such a vase exists or if the pedestal represents a portion of a bigger piece of art.

A museum official confirmed that the pedestal was carved by Rhead, who produced both commercial and studio pottery in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as part of the arts and crafts movement. The official noted that the pedestal is a rare find and may have been one of Rhead’s earliest works after the English ceramicist moved to America in 1902.

Following the discovery, several art publications and auction houses have reached out to Hinson, hoping to buy the pedestal. Previously, a four-tile piece made by Rhead notably sold for $637,500 at auction.

Those who want to view more of Rhead’s pieces can see thousands of items in the WorthPoint Price Guide.

Dan Kobialka is a self-employed content writer and editor with about a decade of experience. He produces content across a wide range of industries, including antiques, insurance, and real estate. To learn more about Dan, please visit his website. 

WorthPoint—Discover. Value. Preserve.