Plate 1797 - 1810

This redware plate was made by John Neis, a Pennsylvania German potter, sometime before his death in 1867. The plate is earthenware, coated with a reddish-brown slip, then decorated with sgraffito and colored glazes. Sgraffito, from the Italian for ‘scratched,’ is a labor-intensive technique. The potter applies a layer of slip to the formed clay, then scratches through it to reveal the clay beneath. Here, Neis has used this method to create a lively image of a horse and rider, surrounded by stylized flowers and leaves. The glazes, lead-based, add color and depth to the design. Redware was a common, functional ware, used for everything from cooking to storage. But pieces like this, with elaborate decoration, were clearly intended for display. Note the way that Neis' skill transforms humble materials into an object of beauty and cultural significance. The act of scratching, carving, and glazing elevates the object beyond the purely utilitarian, blurring the lines between craft and fine art.