Antique Sewer Pipe Paperweight Classical Head of a Woman c. 1910

Antique Sewer Pipe Paperweight Head of a Woman c. 1910. This is one of three examples I have found in the literature. A piece in Adamson's Illustrated Handbook of Ohio Sewer Pipe Folk Art shows the same form which is stamped "Nelsonville Sewer Pipe Company" but this piece is unsigned. Another is decribed as a Salesman Sample. Red Clay Salt Glazed. "Classical" Head of a woman sewer tile paperweight c. 1910 Collection Jim Linderman

Sewer Tile Pottery Turtle Folk Art

Turtles are not often seen made of sewer tile, but Michigan sculptor Roy Poole was known to have made a few. Sewer Tile Turtle, Early 20th century. Collection Jim Linderman. SEE AVAILABLE FOLK ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKS BY JIM LINDERMAN ON BLURB.COM

Grand Ledge Michigan Sewer Tile Head of a Man

Michigan had several clay sewer tile factories, and like the others (particularly in Ohio) their workers would take unused clay at the end of the day and make whimsical pieces of pottery for friends.  This sewer tile head (with a pile of tiles stacked ready for transport in the Real Photo Postcard) is signed on the base Curtis Rugge who was a pretty good sculptor.  See also the essay by Marsha MacDowell and Kurt Dewhurst from 1980 titled The Sewer Tile Clay Pottery of Grand Ledge, Michigan. Interestingly, they point out that Michigan drew employees from Ohio to work for them...a small rivalry, but likely also an exchange of skills and ideas for pieces like this.

  

Grand Ledge folk art Sewer Tile Head and Real Photo Postcard top collection Jim Linderman

Sewer Pipe Clay End of Day Ohio Grotesque Man with One Tooth Early 20th Century Folk Art Pottery Sculpture

Sewer Pipe Clay End of Day Ohio Grotesque Man with One Tooth Late 19th / Early 20th Century Folk Art Pottery Sculpture Glazed.  Likely co-worker?  Collection Jim Linderman

Clay Glazed Sewer Pipe Slipper Early 20th Century Folk Art Sculpture

Sewer Pipe Clay Folk Art Slipper Early 20th Century. Collection Jim Linderman