The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is home to an impressive collection of John Bennett pottery.
In the past I have I’ve discussed eight pieces in their collection that I was aware of. I would like to thank to New York collectors Robert Tuggle and Paul Jeromack for sending me photos and bringing to my attention 2 additional John Bennett vases!
The two vases are part of the Robert A. Ellison Jr. Collection, displayed in the American Wing. I knew of the beautiful blue vase (25 1/2″ h) from the same collection. The large blue vase is juxtaposed with two petite Bennett vases on the shelf above it. Both small pieces are typical for John Bennett in the way the painting is applied. The surprise to me was the scale of the pieces! Displayed with the stunning and larger blue Bennett, it showcases the range in scale in which John Bennett worked. The contrast in size makes the display more interesting than just beautiful pottery.
The Robert A. Ellison Jr. Collection of Ceramics at the Metropolitan Museum of Art showcases the collection of artistic ceramics in the United States from 1876 to 1956. The earliest examples date to the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. The Centennial Exhibition was the first time John Bennett’s work would be displayed in the United States. At the time he was with H. Doulton & Company.
The works are displayed in the Mezzanine Gallery 707 of the American Wing. Gallery 707 is one of 73 galleries in the American Wing. The American Wing houses 17,194 examples of American Decorative Arts. More information about the American Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art can be found here.
Gallery 707 – American Ceramics, 1876–1956
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- John Bennett, Vase
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Date: 1878New York, N.Y., 1882.Earthenware. H. 25-1/2 in.Promised Gift of Robert A. Ellison Jr.L.2009.22.50. Photograph Robert A. Ellison Jr.On view in Gallery 707_______________A wonderful video with collector Robert A. Ellison Jr. and Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen, the Metropolitan Museum’s Anthony W. and Lulu C. Wang Curator of American Decorative Arts, discussing his gifted collection of American ceramics from 1876 to 1956 can be seen here or by clicking the image below (Almost 4.5 minutes. I’m not sure how long this link will last).
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7 more John Bennett pieces at the Met
- John Bennett, Plaque
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Date: 1879Geography: Mid-Atlantic, New York, New York, United StatesCulture: AmericanMedium: Painted and glazed earthenwareDimensions: Diam. 16 in. (40.6 cm)Classification: CeramicsCredit Line: Friends of the American Wing Fund, 1983Accession Number: 1983.262On view in Gallery 774
- John Bennett, Charger detail
- John Bennett, vase
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Date: 1879Geography: Mid-Atlantic, New York, New York, United StatesCulture: AmericanMedium: Painted and glazed earthenwareDimensions: H. 12 in. (30.5 cm); Diam. 6 3/8 in. (16.2 cm)Classification: CeramicsCredit Line: Friends of the American Wing Fund, 1985Accession Number: 1985.168On view in Gallery 706
- John Bennett, Charger
- John Bennett, Charger detail
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John Bennett, Charger
Date: 1877Geography: Mid-Atlantic, New York, New York, United StatesCulture: AmericanMedium: ceramicDimensions: 17 in. diameter x 2 in. deep (43.2 x 5.1 cm)Classification: CeramicsCredit Line: Purchase, Barrie A. and Deedee Wigmore Foundation Gift, 2008Accession Number: 2008.176On view in Gallery 743
- John Bennett, Vase
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Date: 1878Geography: Mid-Atlantic, New York, New York, United StatesCulture: AmericanMedium: EarthenwareDimensions: H. 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm); Diam. 7 in. (17.8 cm)Classification: CeramicsCredit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. I. Wistar Morris III, 1984Accession Number: 1984.448.3On view in Gallery 774
- John Bennett, Vase
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Date: 1882Geography: Mid-Atlantic, New York, New York, United StatesCulture: AmericanMedium: EarthenwareDimensions: H. 11 in. (27.9 cm); Diam. 11 in. (27.9 cm)Classification: CeramicsCredit Line: Friends of the American Wing Fund, 1984Accession Number: 1984.425On view in Gallery 743
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I do not have rights to any of the images or video in this article. Images used belong to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Robert Tuggle and Paul Jeromack and the You Tube video was produced by Gruvelocity. I try to maintain links from images used to their respective owners. Thank you Metropolitan Museum of Art, Robert Tuggle and Paul Jeromack and Gruvelocity.
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John Bennett Pottery 
November 19, 2014 at 11:23 pm
Rob, a wonderful and diverse collection! I missed the last auctioned vase by one click of the mouse. It really took off during the last two minutes of the auction….I’m down because I lost it! Thanks for the heads up. Your Cuz, Bob.
November 20, 2014 at 10:27 pm
I’m sorry you missed it. I’ve gotten into trouble when I get caught up in a bidding frenzy. You have to set a price in your head and be willing to drop out above that price. It sounds to me like that’s what you did and I commend you for sticking to your decision. It looked like a steal until the very end. I’m surprised it jump up that high that fast. I still think it was a good deal for the buyer. It could show up on ragoarts.com and flip for over 3K. Perhaps someone else in the family got it. You’ll get the next one! Cheers, Cousin Rob