Edgefield South Carolina Signed LM OCT 31, 1857 Dave Drake Jug

Edgefield South Carolina Signed LM OCT 31, 1857 Dave Drake Jug
Enslaved Master Potter - Dave Drake (1800-1870s?) Edgefield, South Carolina. (Dave the Slave) LM- Lewis Miles, Dave Drake's Owner There are just not many words one can express when you get the phone call that a new Dave Drake pot has surfaced, especially in the heartland of South Carolina. You change all plans previously made, and head straight for the discovery. In this case, that is exactly what happened with this outstanding newly discovered signed LM October 31st Halloween 1857 by enslaved potter signed "Dave" with horseshoe mark, on this double-handle sorghum jug. One of the most unique features that makes this an exceptional jug is that, yes, it is a double-handle jug with this being one of the more sought after forms in Southern stoneware. The script writing on this jug is outstanding, highly detailed and legible with a solid legible signature and a long tail e trailing downward off Dave. One also must know the fact that this example is dated Oct 31, 1857 "Halloween" which makes this an even more highly significant jug due to the date. One only could reminisce about the date showing the damage, which is quite ironic. The jug does have one remaining solid large loop handle with a strong thumbprint at the lower handle terminal. The alkaline glaze on this piece is outstanding, with a very earthy brown body and moving lime alkaline glaze traces throughout the entire jug. Folks, if you ever wanted to own a signed dated LM Dave Drake double-handle jug, then this example is for you. Also, one would point out the freshness of this example. This example has never been offered for sale before, and has never left South Carolina until the day, June 14th, 2024, when it traveled to Cagle Auction in Athens, Georgia. Also, on June 14th I personally took the jar back to the area where it was turned 167 years ago. It's an absolute honor and privilege to auction this newly discovered masterpiece. Condition, in as seen condition, missing one handle and the double collared rim and neck. This is an example that would be noteworthy for a museum quality restoration or simply being left as it is in its present state. Either way, this is a magnificent example for any caliber of collector to acquire. Folks, these signed examples are getting scarcer day by day, and to find a new discovery is absolutely amazing. Find another one. One can find Dave's works in museums across the globe from the National Gallery, to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian Institution, the High Museum of Art, the Greenville Museum of Art, Chipstone Foundation, Colonial Williamsburg museum and many other institutions. Provenance: Bauknight Family - South Carolina Size: 17" Tall, Six Gallons in capacity.
Condition: As seen, read description.