Plate
MakerAttributed to
Smith Pottery
(American)
Dateabout 1830-1850
MediumDrape-molded redware with slip decoration and a lead glaze
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x diameter): 2 1/4 x 14 1/4in. (5.7 x 36.2cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineGift of Mary Allis
Object number1961.26.1
DescriptionLarge, round redware plate with slip decoration beneath a lead glaze. The plate was formed by trailing white slip over the clay to form the words, "Francis/ Smith/ Norwalk", surrounded by undulating lines that form a roughly square border. Then, the clay was draped over a rounded mold to give it its shape, before tooling the edge with a roulette wheel. The top surface of the plate is glazed, which gives the white slip a yellow appearance; the bottom is left unglazed.
The plate shows wear, especially to the glaze in the center. The glaze has worn away on some areas in the center and has crazed in all other areas of the plate. Several areas of the slip decoration have flaked away, and dirt has accumulated on the redware surface below. There are over fifteen chips of various sizes in the rim. Finally, the plate has a significant crack running from the rim toward the center of the plate, where it branches into two shorter cracks.
The plate shows wear, especially to the glaze in the center. The glaze has worn away on some areas in the center and has crazed in all other areas of the plate. Several areas of the slip decoration have flaked away, and dirt has accumulated on the redware surface below. There are over fifteen chips of various sizes in the rim. Finally, the plate has a significant crack running from the rim toward the center of the plate, where it branches into two shorter cracks.
Status
Not on view
