On Nov. 15, Freemans in Philadelphia sold a rare sgraffito decorated redware plate attributed to Solomon Grimm (1787-1847) to a phone bidder for $37,800 (est. $15,000-$25,000). Grimms vibrant slipware is long considered among the most iconic examples of Pennsylvania German folk art pottery, and few pieces have survived. The 9.5-inch diameter plate was marked in script on back Grimm and was once owned by Mrs. J. Insley Blair, who gifted the object to the New-York Historical Society in 1952. Blair was in a Gilded Age family whose ranking was among the wealthiest in the nation during the turn of the 20th century. The Historical Society deaccessioned the plate in 1995 through Sothebys, where it sold to dealer John Gordon of New York City for $36,800. It was not part of the large sale Gordon (1921-2003) held through Christies in 1999. His widow, Leah Gordon, consigned it to Freemans. The restoration history involved rim chips and flakes professionally repaired as well as repair near the center. A related plate sold at the Winter Antiques Show in 2007 by Jim and Nancy Glazer. Other examples of Grimms work can be seen at the Reading Public Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Grimm worked in Rockland Township, Berks County, Pa., ca. 1815-25. Image courtesy of Freemans.