Redware platter 1795 - 1805

This redware platter was crafted by Joseph McCully, a potter active in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The form is striking; an elongated oval with gently sloping sides, its warm, earthy red hue immediately evokes a sense of rustic simplicity. McCully’s decoration consists of three abstract motifs arranged along the platter's center. These roughly symmetrical shapes, rendered in darker slip, suggest a subtle rhythm across the surface. Note the incised line of dashes along the rim, a textural detail that adds to the platter's tactile appeal. The platter's significance lies in its form and function. By embracing utilitarian forms, potters like McCully elevated humble materials into objects of understated beauty. The redware platter embodies a synthesis of form and material, a testament to the enduring appeal of functional art rooted in tradition.