Plate 1800 - 1850

This red earthenware plate with slip decoration was made by Joseph McCully, an American potter active in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. McCully lived and worked in areas of Pennsylvania where German cultural traditions were prevalent. His pottery reflects the fusion of these European folk-art influences with American tastes. These objects often served utilitarian purposes in the home. Yet, the use of decoration elevated these everyday items, adding a personal touch to domestic life. McCully’s choice of a vibrant red background and the stylized, repetitive patterns in yellow slip, speak to a desire for beauty and visual interest in the everyday. The plate presents a narrative of cultural exchange and adaptation. It also reflects the shifting identities of early Americans as they negotiated their European heritage with their emerging national identity. Ultimately, this plate encapsulates a moment in early American history where art and life were intimately intertwined.