Tortoise Shell Beaker
Dublin Core
Title
Tortoise Shell Beaker
Subject
South, Stanley A.
Archaeology.
Wachovia (N.C.)--History.
Artifacts.
Pottery.
Moravians.
Christ, Rudolph, 1750-1833.
Description
This reconstructed, delicate redware beaker is decorated in a tortoise shell glaze. The red clay body was coated in white slip and fired. After firing, a mix of copper oxide, manganese, and clear glaze was applied to produce the polychromatic tortoise shell finish. The body of the beaker has two incised lines just below the rim on the exterior.
When producing the profile sketch of this object, archaeologist George Demi noted, “Vessel overfired, colors & hardness of ware similar to plate which matches ‘R.C. Rud Christ’ Mold.” Evidence of being overfired is seen in the burned interior, and grey to red discoloration to most of the exterior base color, which should be cream.
In 1773, William Ellis arrived in Salem and offered to teach Gottfried Aust how to make English Staffordshire-style earthenware in exchange for clothing and lodging. Ellis had been the superintendent of John Bartlam’s China Manufactory and Pottery in Charleston, SC. While Aust chose to continue producing the more traditional wares, his apprentice Rudolph Christ began producing finer wares influenced by the English Staffordshire-style.
This beaker was recovered from feature B55, Christ’s Waster Dump #2. It was discarded due to over firing. Christ operated his pottery shop in Bethabara from 1786-1789.
The foot of the beaker is marked B55-C15-1-28 in black ink.
Dimensions: 2.5” dia rim, 1.375” dia base, 2” tall
When producing the profile sketch of this object, archaeologist George Demi noted, “Vessel overfired, colors & hardness of ware similar to plate which matches ‘R.C. Rud Christ’ Mold.” Evidence of being overfired is seen in the burned interior, and grey to red discoloration to most of the exterior base color, which should be cream.
In 1773, William Ellis arrived in Salem and offered to teach Gottfried Aust how to make English Staffordshire-style earthenware in exchange for clothing and lodging. Ellis had been the superintendent of John Bartlam’s China Manufactory and Pottery in Charleston, SC. While Aust chose to continue producing the more traditional wares, his apprentice Rudolph Christ began producing finer wares influenced by the English Staffordshire-style.
This beaker was recovered from feature B55, Christ’s Waster Dump #2. It was discarded due to over firing. Christ operated his pottery shop in Bethabara from 1786-1789.
The foot of the beaker is marked B55-C15-1-28 in black ink.
Dimensions: 2.5” dia rim, 1.375” dia base, 2” tall
Creator
Christ, Rudolph, 1750-1833
Date
1786-1789
Type
Physical Object
Format
JPEG
Identifier
2018.2.33
Source
OC2-Historic Bethabara Archaeology Collection Exhibit.
Relation
Historic Bethabara Park Archaeology Collection
Stanley South Manuscript Collection Box – Folder 4-68
Stanley South Manuscript Collection Box – Folder 4-10
Stanley South Manuscript Collection Box – Folder 8-6
Rights
Rights held by Historic Bethabara Park, Inc. Use and reproduction restrictions apply. Contact Historic Bethabara Park Archives.
Contributor
Photographer: Daniel Ferguson
Rights Holder
Historic Bethabara Park, Inc.
Citation
Christ, Rudolph, 1750-1833, “Tortoise Shell Beaker,” Historic Bethabara Park Collections, accessed April 18, 2024, https://historicbethabarapark.omeka.net/items/show/55.