Jar

Known for poetry and prose he inscribed onto the exteriors of his thrown pots, David Drake is among the most well-known Black potters of antebellum America. His inscriptions range from simple dates to poetic verses expressing both humor and serious convictions.During his enslavement in Edgefield, South Carolina, Drake boldly showcased his literacy despite the state of South Carolina having outlawed the education of enslaved people in 1740.

Drake’s writings critiqued the cruelties of enslavement, noting how the practice separated families, leaving them to wonder about their relations for life. His bold practice of inscribing and signing his pots was both an act of resistance and an act of pride. Through his signature, he defied the legal code, claimed his artistry, and elevated himself beyond his forced enslaved status.