Art Institute of Chicago

Plate

Artist unknown (American, 18th–19th century)

Date

1780–1820

Medium

Earthenware

Culture

Pennsylvania

Department

Arts of the Americas

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Unlike the Art Institute's plate by Rudolph Drach (see 1907.122) on which the maker inscribed his name, many objects in the Pennsylvania German tradition are unmarked, obscuring authorship for subsequent generations. Creamy white slip (which appears yellow due to the lead glaze on top of it) was applied to the surface of this plate, onto which sgraffito decoration was incised. The addition of lightly applied copper oxide created green accents across the plate. Pennsylvania German vessels are further characterized by bold designs of tulips, stars, and hearts. This octagonal plate incorporates another tradition motif—the stylized pomegranate.

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