Miniature Lion Figure
Date: 2010
Inventory Number: MUS-117-0030
Classification: Ceramics
Dimensions:
7.6 × 7.6 × 3.8 cm, 0.69 lb. (3 × 3 × 1 1/2 in., 0.3 kg)
DescriptionThe object is made from polychromed, hand-formed, kiln-fired earthenware covered in a clear, semi-gloss glaze. The object is hollow; round air holes are visible on each side of the figure’s head where ears would be with a single air hole visible on the underside of the object. The letters BH and numbers 55 (underscored) are incised on either side of this underside air hole. The object depicts a stylized, yet representational, standing male lion with four legs, tail, and head facing forward. The tail curls to form a loop over the back of the animal’s body. The lion’s body is compact, symmetrical, and rectilinear with a smooth, semi-gloss surface that is unevenly coated in a buff-yellow colored lead glaze. Some of the earthenware shows through on the feet—particularly on the underside of the feet. The lion’s head is spherical and semi-gloss in finish. A mane has been created by an additive process of applying clay over the head and shoulders of the lion’s face. The mane’s surface is uneven and evidences repetitive and short curvilinear marks incised in the clay surface as to represent fur. The eyes, eyelashes, and eyebrows are and incised in the clay surface in a stylized and abstract manner. The mane, eyes, whiskers, and tip of the tail are glazed with dark tawny-colored manganese slip; the surface is semi-gloss. The reddish earthenware colors the lions face. The lower part of the head depicts a stylized mouth fashioned from an incised half-moon shaped horizontal line located below the styled eyes and whiskers and travels across the lower portion of the head’s spherical shape. This horizontal line is punctuated regularly by short vertical incised lines that complete the mouth.
In Collection(s)
SignedBH 55 (underscored)
InscribedThe incised 55 (underscored) on the underside of the object notes Kiln Opening No.55 in July 2010.
Curatorial RemarksIn the spring of 2010, noted collector of Southern Pottery Ronald Causey Jr. of Pawleys Island, SC,
challenged folk potter Billy Ray Hussey to create a miniature version of the acclaimed lion figures he
was making in the manner of master Shenandoah Valley potters John Bell (1800-1880) and Solomon
Bell (1817-1882). Hussey accepted Ron’s challenge and created six miniature lions in the manner of
John Bell for his annual kiln opening for the Southern Folk Pottery Collectors Society which occurred later that summer in July.
The miniature lion figure in the collection of David Whaley is one of theses original miniature lions
from Kiln Opening No. 55. The BH mark on the underside of the lion is Billy Ray Hussey’s signature. The undercored 55 mark represents Kiln Opening No.55. Hussey’s lion figures are a
quintessential example of Southern American folk pottery. (David Whaley interview with Billy Ray Hussey – 30 July 2021)
Work by Billy Ray Hussey is found in the permanent collections of the following musuems:
Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, Williamsburg, VA
https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/locations/abby-aldrich-rockefeller-folk-art-museum/
American Folk Art Museum, New York, NY
https://folkartmuseum.org/
McKissick Museum of the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/artsandsciences/mckissick_museum/
Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC
https://mintmuseum.org/
North Carolina Museum of History, Raleigh, NC
https://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org/
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC
https://americanart.si.edu/
challenged folk potter Billy Ray Hussey to create a miniature version of the acclaimed lion figures he
was making in the manner of master Shenandoah Valley potters John Bell (1800-1880) and Solomon
Bell (1817-1882). Hussey accepted Ron’s challenge and created six miniature lions in the manner of
John Bell for his annual kiln opening for the Southern Folk Pottery Collectors Society which occurred later that summer in July.
The miniature lion figure in the collection of David Whaley is one of theses original miniature lions
from Kiln Opening No. 55. The BH mark on the underside of the lion is Billy Ray Hussey’s signature. The undercored 55 mark represents Kiln Opening No.55. Hussey’s lion figures are a
quintessential example of Southern American folk pottery. (David Whaley interview with Billy Ray Hussey – 30 July 2021)
Work by Billy Ray Hussey is found in the permanent collections of the following musuems:
Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, Williamsburg, VA
https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/locations/abby-aldrich-rockefeller-folk-art-museum/
American Folk Art Museum, New York, NY
https://folkartmuseum.org/
McKissick Museum of the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/artsandsciences/mckissick_museum/
Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC
https://mintmuseum.org/
North Carolina Museum of History, Raleigh, NC
https://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org/
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC
https://americanart.si.edu/
Primary SourcesDavid Whaley interview with Billy Ray Hussey – 30 July 2021
ProvenanceCreated by Billy Ray Hussey – Kiln Opening 55 – July 2010
Purchased by noted pottery collector Ronald Causey Jr. of Pawleys Island, SC, from Billy Ray Hussey – 2010
Sold by Ronald Causey Jr. through consignment to the Ledbetter Folk Art and Americana Auction, Gibsonville, NC – 12 December 2020
Purchased by David Whaley at Ledbetter Folk Art and Americana Auction, Gibsonville, NC – 12 December 2020
Purchased by noted pottery collector Ronald Causey Jr. of Pawleys Island, SC, from Billy Ray Hussey – 2010
Sold by Ronald Causey Jr. through consignment to the Ledbetter Folk Art and Americana Auction, Gibsonville, NC – 12 December 2020
Purchased by David Whaley at Ledbetter Folk Art and Americana Auction, Gibsonville, NC – 12 December 2020