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Artist unidentified, “Coffeepot,” Probably Pennsylvania, United States, c. 1815–1835, Paint on …
Coffee Pot
Artist unidentified, “Coffeepot,” Probably Pennsylvania, United States, c. 1815–1835, Paint on …
Artist unidentified, “Coffeepot,” Probably Pennsylvania, United States, c. 1815–1835, Paint on asphaltum over tinplate, 8 5/8 × 9 1/2 × 6 in., Collection American Folk Art Museum, New York, Gift of the Historical Society of Early American Decoration, 76.4.2. Photo by John Parnell.
Record Details

Coffee Pot

Date1815–1835
Place/RegionProbably Pennsylvania, United States
MediumPaint on asphaltum over tinplate
Dimensions8 5/8 × 9 1/2 × 6"
Credit LineGift of the Historical Society of Early American Decoration
Accession number76.4.2
CopyrightThe American Folk Art Museum believes this work to be in the public domain.
Description

The tinware made in several Pennsylvania workshops from about 1800 to 1870 demonstrates certain regional preferences. These include red backgrounds and crystallized floors produced by the application of muriatic acid to an unpainted surface. Typical motifs on Pennsylvania tinware, seen especially on coffeepots, include circles with thinly painted white backgrounds and designs extending beyond the perimeter, large ocher motifs with fine blackwork, and white bands with flowers and fruit. Pennsylvania tinware also exhibits unusual color combinations and a great deal of "thumb work," a technique in which overtones are blended with a finger or thumb.

Stacy C. Hollander, "Coffeepot," in American Anthem: Masterworks from the American Folk Art Museum (New York: Harry N. Abrams in association with American Folk Art Museum, 2001), 318.

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