Artist/Maker:

Krause, Thomas

Place Made:

Date Made:

1827

Medium:

lead glazed earthenware

Dimensions:

HOA 7-1/2″; WOA 23-1/2″ (width at handles); DIA 21-3/4″ (top rim excl. handles); DIA 10-1/2″ base

Accession Number:

5186

Description:

Large two-handled bowl; iron tinted brown glaze on interior; exterior unglazed; applied shaped handles terminating in joint with three distinct wide imprints; distinct foot (approx. 1/2″ high). Very similar to the example by John Butner pictured as figure 92 on page 138 of Bivins, Moravian Potters In North Carolina.

Inscribed: Tho [illegible] Krause / Jan 1[illegible] 1827 [illegible]

History:

Thomas Krause made and signed this mixing bowl in January 1827 when he was still working in Bethabara. He moved to Bethania in May of the same year.

Thomas Krause (1798-1843), the son of potter Gottlieb Krause (1760-1802), probably apprenticed to Bethabara potter John Butner (1778-1857) since his own father died when he was only four years old. By 1827 when he made this bowl, Thomas was a well-trained potter and ready to embark on a career as a master in the trade.
At almost 22 inches in diameter, this vessel was probably used to make enough bread dough to create loaves that would feed a family for several days. Moravian potters rarely signed their wares, yet Thomas signed this “Tho [illegible] Krause / Jan 1[illegible] 1827 [illegible]”. The fact that Thomas signed this bowl shortly before his move to Bethania to establish himself as a potter there suggests this bowl had special significance to the young tradesman. Perhaps it was one of the first wares he made once he transitioned from journeyman to master potter.
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Credit Line:

Old Salem Museums & Gardens