Rare Ohio Sewer Tile Football on Tee Still Bank (Circa 1925–1950) – Attributed to Edward J. Ellwood, Superb Condition

 This circa 1925–1950 Ohio sewer tile football on tee still bank is an exceptionally rare example of regional folk pottery, most likely the work of renowned Tuscarawas County potter Edward J. Ellwood. Standing 8 inches tall, this salt‑glazed football bank displays the distinctive sculptural detail and surface character associated with Ellwood’s finest pieces.

In his Illustrated Handbook of Ohio Sewer Tile Folk Art (1973), collector and scholar Jack Adamson illustrates a sewer‑tile football, and we have previously handled a signed EJE football with nearly identical detailing. This example, however, is uniquely modeled on a tee, with the ball tilted forward as if poised for kickoff—an especially whimsical and dynamic variation.

Several Ohio sewer‑tile banks are known to have been molded from early cast‑iron mechanical or still banks, and the form and bottom opening of this piece strongly suggest a similar origin. An old collection number remains on the underside, further supporting its long‑held provenance.

This is the first example of this scarce form we have encountered in decades of collecting, and it survives in superb condition, with no chips, cracks, or repairs. The glaze is rich and even, and the sculptural details remain crisp—an extraordinary state of preservation for a folk‑art object of this age.

A standout opportunity for collectors of Ohio sewer tile, folk pottery, sports‑themed antiques, and American still banks, offering rarity, artistry, and historical significance in one remarkable piece.