The Galloway Terra-Cotta Company Of Philadelphia A Brief History And Examination

By Justin W. Thomas

I was in New York City with my nephew Jason, and we ended up stopping at the Annex Markets’ outdoor flea market in Manhattan. This is where we found an ancient style terracotta planter, although at the time, I was unsure of the manufacturer but felt it was American made. Nonetheless, I set it aside on a shelf in my cellar, hoping to eventually learn more about it.

Surprisingly, while recently reading over a 52-page catalog published in 1905 by the Galloway Terra-Cotta and Pottery Company in Philadelphia, I found a number of objects that were manufactured just like this planter. According to the catalog, in part, “The gardens of Italy are the chief source of inspiration. Terracotta is less than inferior work in the cheapest stone. It is also superior in color, finish and durability to any cement composition. It is this combination of price, beauty and durability that has won high favor for our productions. We have had large displays at several of the large exhibitions, notably: The Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, The Columbian Exposition in Chicago and the Exposition at Saint Louis. In every instance, the highest award was given for superior artistic qualities and technical skill. The Galloway Collection of Terra-Cotta and Pottery shown in this catalogue includes many original designs and replicas from antique art adapted to our present needs and in harmony with the prevailing styles of architecture.”

Everything shown in the Galloway catalogs are copies of Greek or Roman classic design, much of which was drawn from objects displayed at the British Museum in London, among other art museums and sources. From the late 19th to the early 20th century, the company marketed heavily with leading architects around the world.

Interestingly, Galloway was one of the premier pottery companies in America during this period, and among the company’s accomplishments was manufacturing terracotta for Grand Central Station in New York City. Unfortunately, though, that work has since been torn down.

Furthermore, the planter made by Galloway was a terracotta fountain that portrays two small children under an umbrella, called “Out in the Rain,” bearing the maker’s mark, “Galloway & Graff, 1725 Market Street. Philadelphia.”

This object was inspired after an Italian version that was exhibited at the Centennial Exhibition in 1876. Some of the classic terracotta sculptures of figures made in Philadelphia and an urn are also illustrated in the 1876 book, “United States

About the Company William Galloway (about 1838-1913) and John Graff formed a partnership in Philadelphia in 1868 to continue an older business established in 1810 (as cited on post 1868 advertising), although not a lot is known about this earlier company. Their firm was located at 1723-1725 Market Street near 18th Street, where they specialized in utilitarian and ornamental terracotta. Nineteenth and 20th century advertising reveals they made urns, pedestals, fountains, flower boxes, sundials, benches, gazing globes and bird baths, as well as some that we found in Manhattan is entirely surrounded with cherubs or cupids and rams, whereas similar types are shown in the 1905 catalog described with various titles. This type of design is also found with European porcelain and Renaissance art.

Among the notable objects

Centennial International Exhibition.”

The catalogs note that some objects can be purchased with or without a glaze, where some of the best glazes produced were blue, teal and green, often found today on urns standing two or three feet in height. The catalogs also state that some of the large urns are available with or without bands surrounding the interior, such as a large, unmarked terracotta urn with a glazed interior that I found in Salem, Mass., about a decade ago. Prices also varied, where most of these objects were expensive, considering that some of the forms cost as much as $100 or more each. The sophistication or the amount of decoration (such as glaze, size and added features) were typically the driving factors when considering what the object cost when it was originally produced.

19711 Newark 302-454-8007 AUNT MARGARET’S ANTIQUE MALL, 294 E. Main St. Mon- Sat. 10-5, Sun 12-5. 2 floors. Antiques, collectibles, vintage, primitives, much more! www.auntmargaretsantiquemall.com

19711 Newark 302-733-7677 MAIN STREET ANTIQUES, 23 Possum Park Mall. Hrs.: Mon.-Sat. 10-8, Sun. 11:30-5:30. Over 45 Showcase/Room Dealers selling quality antiques & collectibles. mainstreetantiques.com

21901 North East410-287-8318 5 & 10 ANTIQUE MARKET, 115 S. Main St. Daily 10am-6pm. Cecil County’s largest! Approx. 65 dealers, variety & nostalgia. Buying/ selling antiques & collectibles. Local honey available.

07052 West Orange973-323-1711 VALLEY VINTAGE, 168 South Valley Rd. Open Mon-Sat. 11-6, Sun. 12-5. 2100 sq.ft., 25+ dealers. Antiques, vintage, collectibles, furniture, decor, kitchenware, jewelry, books, LPs, ephemera.

07901 Summit 908-273-9373 SUMMIT ANTIQUES CENTER, 511 Morris Ave. 2 floors, 50+ dealers. Antiques, collectibles. Smalls to furniture. Open 7 days 11-5. Free Parking. www.thesummitantiquescenter.com

Pittsburgh

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There are nearly 50 exhibitors.

A portion of the proceeds of this event support the official nonprofit Historical Glass Club of Pittsburgh’s Special Projects fund as well as other philanthropic glass-related endeavors.

The show hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 18

08005 Barnegat609-698-3020 BAY AVENUE ANTIQUES, 349 S. Main. Open Wed.- Sun., Noon - 6 PM. Book Seller, Pottery, Glass, Furniture, Holiday, Decoys, Antiques & UniquesPLUS Chalkpaint & Iron Orchid Design.

08016 Burlington609-747-8333 HISTORIC BURLINGTON ANTIQUES & ART EMPORIUM, 424 High Street. Open 6 Days: T, W, F, Sat., Sun: 11A-5P & Th.11A- 7P.

17350 NewOxford717-624-3800

ZELMA’S EMPORIUM (Formerly Golden Lane) 11 N. Water Street. Antiques, Americana, Art, Asian, Primitives, etc. Closed Mon., Tues.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-5 or by appt. ZelmasAntiques.com

12,000 sq.ft Antique & Arts Mall, over 100 dlrs. www.carnivalofcollectables.com

08525 Hopewell609-466-9833 TOMATO FACTORY ANTIQUE & DESIGN CENTER, 2 Somerset St. We Have It All! Open Mon. thru Sat. 10-5, Sun. 11-5. We have 38 Dealers. www.tomatofactoryantiques.com

08753 Toms River732-349-5764 MAIN STREET ANTIQUE CENTER 251 Main St. Open

17361 Shrewsbury717-235-6637

SHREWSBURY ANTIQUE CENTER 65 N. Highland Dr. “A True Antique Mall” over 10,000 sq.ft. with over 55 dealers. Open 7 days, 10-5. Ample parking. Close to other shops in historic village.

18229 Jim Thorpe610-850-5660

ANTIQUES ON BROADWAY, 52 Broadway. Primitives, militaria, art, glass, autographs, pottery, guns, artifacts, coins and vintage collectibles. Open Wednesday through Sunday 10-5.

18944 Perkasie215-257-3564 with a 9 to 10 a.m. early buyer’s preview. Hours on Feb. 19 are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $7, and children under 12 are admitted free of charge. The early buyer’s admission is $15. The Crowne Plaze Hotel/Pittsburgh South is located at 164 Fort Couch Road, Pittsburgh, Pa. For additional information, visit www.PittsburghGlass.org.

TREASURE TROVE, 6 S. 7th Street. Estate jewelry, furniture, linens, vintage clothing, glass, china, books, toys, kitchenware, advertising, postcards. Primitives to Deco. Dealers Welcome. Mon.-Sat. 10-5. In business 42 years.