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The Most Widely Read Collector's Newspaper In The East Published Weekly By Joel Sater Publications www.antiquesandauctionnews.net
VOL. 44, NO. 43 FRIDAY OCTOBER 25, 2013
Ned Foltz: Redware Potter Of Reinholds By Karl Pass
ed Foltz is a talented revivalist redware potter working today in northern Lancaster County, Pa. “I have a few dated pieces I made in the 1950s. They are very primitive, but the first year I began selling, I believe, was 1962,” recalled Foltz at the old schoolhouse that serves as his shop. Last year, Ned and his wife, Gwen, celebrated their 50th year in business at the shop with a special show. Foltz grew up in Lititz, Pa., and he bought his first piece of pottery at age 14. It was by the late Henry Schofield, a potter whose work he still collects. Schofield made primitive redware with an all-lead glaze and stopped production around 1940. He worked in the Quarryville, Pa., area near the Mason-Dixon line. Like Schofield and other revivalist potters influenced by earlier Pennsylvania German work, Foltz took a keen interest in the art form. After studying fine art in college, Foltz taught art in the Cocalico School District from 1962 to 1980. “In 1980, I started potting full-time and quickly developed a very busy busi-
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The photo of Ned Foltz and Hattie Brunner was used for his first show card, which advertised a Christmas show in 1978. Ned and his wife, Gwen, design show cards for each themed open house held at their shop. Brunner (1890-1982) was a local dealer and artist in Reinholds, Pa.
This large bowl made in 1974 is a favorite of the artist. It’s in his personNed is demonstrating sgraffito or This is a display of Foltz pottery in al collection and was once owned by scratch decoration on this plate. Ned’s shop. the late dealer Walter Himmelreich.
This large 2013 plate with finely detailed sunflowers was made by Foltz.
This lidded figural container of a woman carrying a pig in a basket is dated 2013.
ness,” said the self-taught potter. Foltz works alot with locally-sourced clay and does all aspects of production himself. He remains influenced by traditional Pennsylvania German forms and motifs. Shows are social events at the Foltz pottery shop. A skilled cook and a major part of the business, Gwen puts together tasty lunches for their customers. Sam Shoemaker, Ned’s nephew, also helps on show weekends and at other times. Shows are typically two-day events held on a Saturday and Sunday. “People really do love to come here, and we get people from all over,” said Ned. They advertise each show by mailing specially-designed cards. The doors open at 8 a.m. for preview purposes, and selling starts at 11a.m. His first official show was a Christmas show in 1978. The card used was a photo of Ned with local dealer and artist Hattie Brunner. Brunner (1890-1982) was known for her primitive-style paintings, but with the aid of Foltz, she also experimented with making pottery paperweights, many of which replicated
The 2013 ring vase by Foltz has a mottled glaze treatment and figural bird perched on one side.
butter prints. “I would take redware to Hattie’s house, and we’d roll out things on the kitchen table, and I’d take them home to glaze,” said Foltz. Foltz once shipped his work to retail shops. Today, his business model is different, and he does not ship or do special orders. The operation is centered on his themed shows held at the shop with one-of-a-kind things. “I’m very disciplined, which came from teaching. I can honestly say that I can hardly wait to get (to the shop) every day,” he said. To learn more about the Ned Foltz pottery and for his show schedule, visit www.foltzpottery.com.
Here is Ned Foltz on his motorized kick wheel, working on a vase. His wheel allows him to “throw” pieces up to 24” in diameter.