Tortoise Shell Saucer

Tortoise Shell Saucer

South, Stanley A.

Archaeology.

Wachovia (N.C.)--History.

Artifacts.

Pottery.

Moravians.

Christ, Rudolph, 1750-1833.

In 1773, William Ellis arrived in Bethabara 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. Aust chose to produce the more traditional wares he had been doing, while his apprentice Rudolph Christ went on to master the new English-style pottery. Christ operated his pottery shop in Bethabara from 1786-1789.

This style of pottery was considered fine pottery. While most of this style pottery was made using molds, this piece was thrown on a potter’s wheel. The body is redware. The finished redware form had white slip applied to the top surface, then splotches of copper oxide and manganese glaze were added to produce the green and brown tortoise shell finish.

This plate was recovered from feature B55, Christ’s Waster Dump #2. It appears to have been overfired as some of the glazing shows blackening. Additionally, a large amount of the glaze and slip flaked off, indicating it did not properly adhere to the clay.

It is labeled B55-C14-1-15 on the most of the pieces in black ink.

Dimensions: 5.75” dia rim, 3.5” dia. foot, .875” tall.

Christ, Rudolph, 1750-1833

1786-1789

Physical Object

JPEG

2018.2.39

OC2-Historic Bethabara Park Archaeology Collection Exhibit

Historic Bethabara Park Archaeology Collection

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Rights held by Historic Bethabara Park, Inc. Use and reproduction restrictions apply. Contact Historic Bethabara Park Archives.

Historic Bethabara Park, Inc.