Signed, Dave & L.M. (Master). Dated, April 25, 1861. Cross or "X" scarification. Alkaline Glaze. Nice dark heavy drips on left side. Next to signature, smaller drips on right side. NO repairs. Missing chunk underneath left lug handle. Not visually noticeable. 3-4 minor insignificant chiggar bites along base. Excellent condition. 13.5" h x 14" w. Est. $35,000 - $45,000. Ship: $150 (includes crate). The best current estimate is that Dave was born around 1800. Over time he was bought and sold by the Drake, Gibbs, Miles and Landrum families. Dave, for example, was the property of Harry Drake until the latter’s death in 1832. After emancipation in the 1860s, Dave took the last name of Drake, perhaps in commemorative remembrance of the man who presumably taught him to be a potter. Size and text make the “Dave pots” the most important specimens of Edgefield pottery, which is characterized primarily by utilitarian vessels produced for agrarian plantation life. Many of Dave’s vessels are of a remarkable size, with capacities sometimes ranging from 25 to 40 gallons. Besides their extraordinary size, Dave’s pots are unusual for their inscribed texts. In 1840, Dave began signing his work, not by merely stamping his initials on the base as was the custom but by boldly writing “Dave” on the shoulder of most vessels. It is theorized that Dave may have learned to read and write while working as a typesetter for one of his owners, Abner Landrum, who published a newspaper entitled The Edgefield Hive. Regardless of the source of his literacy, Dave is known to have signed and dated over 100 jars, and on some he wrote verse. This was a remarkable gesture. At a time when the education of slaves was forbidden, Dave was publicly demonstrating his ability to read and write. Even though reading and writing were forbidden for antebellum African Americans, many religious slave owners saw the bible as an “acceptable” book and overlooked the prohibition. Although African Americans interpreted the biblical stories differently than their white slave owners, the biblical influences are unmistakable.

Excellent condition.