Large Tortoise Shell Plate

Large Tortoise Shell Plate

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 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 large was thrown on a potter’s wheel. The deep, almost bowl-like body is redware. The finished redware form had white slip applied to the top surface, and 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. A large amount of the glaze and slip appears to have flaked off, indicating it did not properly adhere to the clay.

It is labeled B55-B5-1-43, B55-B8-1-43, or B55-C15-1-43 on the most of the pieces in black ink.

Dimensions: 14” dia rim, 8.125” dia base, 2.5” tall.

Christ, Rudolph, 1750-1833.

1786-1789

Physical Object

JPEG

2018.2.40

OC2-Historic Bethabara Park Archaeology Collection Exhibit

Historic Bethabara Park Archaeology Collection

Stanely South Manuscript Collection Box – Folder 4-10

Stanley South Manuscript Collection Box – Folder 8-19

Stanely South Manuscript Collection Box – Folder 4-68

Stanely South Manuscript Collection Box – Folder 4-60

Stanely South Manuscript Collection Box – Folder 4-61

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

Historic Bethabara Park, Inc.