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Sgraffito Plate

Sgraffito Plate

Attributed to: Solomon Grimm (American, 1787 - 1847)

Date: c. 1816
Medium: lead-glazed earthenware, white slip and manganese decoration
Dimensions:
Overall: 1 3/8 x 9 5/8 in. (3.5 x 24.4 cm)
Credit Line:Museum Purchase
Object number: 1950.2.1

This colorfully glazed plate with star motifs was made by Solomon Grimm, a potter who was born in Maxatawny Township, Berks County. The son of a prosperous Pennsylvania German farmer and miller, Grimm may have apprenticed with potter John Leisenring, an immigrant from Silesia, who was working in the township by 1786 and owned land near the Grimms’ mill.

From 1815 to 1825, Grimm is also thought to have apprenticed with a potter named Weiss in Rockland Township, Berks County, where Grimm’s name appears regularly in the town records.  Most of the known dated examples of wares bearing his flowing script signature on the bottom fall within the years of his residence there. 

A number of similarly decorated plates and jars bearing Grimm’s signature survive, attesting to his preference for using dense patterns embellished with bright multicolored slip decoration.  Over deep vivid green or bright yellow slip grounds, Grimm favored pinwheel stars drawn with a compass and other geometric patterns, in addition to the typical Pennsylvania German motifs of hearts and tulips.  His multilayered technique results in a particularly lavish glazed surface.

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