I could not wait to see this exhibit. Below are examples from over 85,000 (yes 85,000!) fragments recently dug from a brick lined privy shaft in Old City Philadelphia during an excavation by archaeologists from the Commonwealth Heritage Group. The location was on site at the new Museum of the American Revolution. This area was probably the dumping grounds for several 18th century taverns. Conservator Melba Meyers painstakingly reassembled these treasures and they were exhibited at the 2018 Ceramics Fair in NYC.This undocumented slipware was probably made in Philadelphia by early French or German colonists. Interestingly, slipware of similar marbled design was uncovered in the Montpelier area of Southern France. These pieces were made during the late 1600's. Fascinating to imagine a design concept crossing the Atlantic to the New World. The exhibit was sponsored by Ceramics in America/ Chipstone Foundation and the Museum of the American Revolution. Specialist Ceramics Scholar Debbie Miller gave a detailed presentation during the event. For more information and future releases and analysis, contact Rob Hunter.
