Five Flowers - 10 Inch Bowl - Pennsylvania German shipping Folk Art - SG1108

Sgraffito ware. This original design was inspired by antique Pennsylvania German Redware pottery. "Lieben und Geliebt zu werden Ist die Gröst Freud auf Erden” Translation = "To love and be loved is the greatest joy on earth".

I sign, date and inscribe the day's shipping weather on the back. June 5, 2022, "sunny".
10" diameter, 1 1/2" deep. Gift boxed.

The bowl is created employing tools and techniques used by the Pennsylvania German potters in the 18th through 19th centuries. Each plate begins with red earthenware clay rolled flat with a rolling pin and cut to fit the mold. Then the clay is laid into a mold (slump molded) to shape it. When it is just dry enough to handle without losing its shape liquid white clay (slip) is applied to the surface with a brush. The design is scratched into the slip revealing the red clay beneath – the sgraffito technique. It is bisque fired, and then glaze is applied and fired again. The completed piece will have the overall yellowish coloring of antique redware plates on the front; the back is not glazed following the traditions of the early Pennsylvania potters.