Christ Pattern Corner Stove Tile
Dublin Core
Title
Christ Pattern Corner Stove Tile
Subject
South, Stanley A.
Archaeology.
Wachovia (N.C.)—History.
Artifacts.
Pottery.
Moravians.
Christ, Rudolph, 1750-1833.
Fehon, Jacqueline R.
Clauser, John W. Jr.
Description
Redware stove tile of the pattern produced by Rudolph Christ. Stove tiles were manufactured in Bethabara as early as November, 1756, when ceramic stoves were installed in the Gemeinhaus and Single Brothers House. Ceramic Stoves were placed in most of the structures in Bethabara, including the refugee cabins built in the Mill Fort.
This tile’s face is decorated with a raised design referred to by archaeologist Jaqueline R. Fehon as a “spiral flower.” A small flower decorates each corner. The applied finish called “blackening” and utilized carbon to achieve the matte black color. An original stove in the 1788 Bethabara Gemeinhaus is made with matching tiles.
The corner tile was made by pressing two pieces of clay into two molds. One mold was square, the other rectangular. The wet tiles were then removed from the molds and laid face-up on coarse cloth, such as osnaburg linen, to dry. The textile pattern can be seen on the inside of the tile, as is a great deal of soot from use. Once dry, the two tiles were joined together with red slip at a 90 degree angle, producing a corner. A wall was then built on the interior with coils of clay. The outlines of holes for vertical alignment pins are visible on the horizontal interior corners.
A partially obscured marking is visible on one side. It appears to read “B68-2” in black ink. No corresponding archaeological feature labeled B68 has been found in the archaeological records. However, MEDSA has a tile mold of this pattern marked "R.C." Christ was manufacturing Pottery in Bethabara from 1786-1789, but it is likely this could have also come from the period he operated his pottery in Salem. It should be noted that a very similar tile was recovered from a waster dump associated with the Krause-Butner Pottery, and is attributed to Johann Krause by archaeologist John Clauser.
Dimensions: 8.375” tall, 3.875” wide, 7.875” long.
This tile’s face is decorated with a raised design referred to by archaeologist Jaqueline R. Fehon as a “spiral flower.” A small flower decorates each corner. The applied finish called “blackening” and utilized carbon to achieve the matte black color. An original stove in the 1788 Bethabara Gemeinhaus is made with matching tiles.
The corner tile was made by pressing two pieces of clay into two molds. One mold was square, the other rectangular. The wet tiles were then removed from the molds and laid face-up on coarse cloth, such as osnaburg linen, to dry. The textile pattern can be seen on the inside of the tile, as is a great deal of soot from use. Once dry, the two tiles were joined together with red slip at a 90 degree angle, producing a corner. A wall was then built on the interior with coils of clay. The outlines of holes for vertical alignment pins are visible on the horizontal interior corners.
A partially obscured marking is visible on one side. It appears to read “B68-2” in black ink. No corresponding archaeological feature labeled B68 has been found in the archaeological records. However, MEDSA has a tile mold of this pattern marked "R.C." Christ was manufacturing Pottery in Bethabara from 1786-1789, but it is likely this could have also come from the period he operated his pottery in Salem. It should be noted that a very similar tile was recovered from a waster dump associated with the Krause-Butner Pottery, and is attributed to Johann Krause by archaeologist John Clauser.
Dimensions: 8.375” tall, 3.875” wide, 7.875” long.
Creator
Christ, Rudolph, 1750-1833
Date
1786-1821
Type
Physical Object
Format
JPEG
Identifier
2018.2.29
Source
OC2-Historic Bethabara Park Archaeology Collection Exhibit
Relation
Historic Bethabara Park Archaeology Collection
Rights
Rights held by Historic Bethabara Park, Inc. Use and reproduction restrictions apply. Contact Historic Bethabara Park Archives.
Rights Holder
Historic Bethabara Park, Inc.
Citation
Christ, Rudolph, 1750-1833, “Christ Pattern Corner Stove Tile,” Historic Bethabara Park Collections, accessed April 16, 2024, https://historicbethabarapark.omeka.net/items/show/51.