dave drake
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Who is Dave Drake?
Dave Was. . .
• An enslaved African American potter
• A man who made pots from the 1820’s to the 1860’s
What Makes Dave Special?
• He must have been very strong because he made huge pots. Over 40 gallons big!
• He had over 5 masters in his lifetime.
• He learned how to read and write and he wrote poetry.
• He signed his pots
Dave Wrote Poetry?!
Dave belongs to Mr. Miles
Wher the oven bakes & the pot biles
31 July 1840
I made this for our Sott
it will never - never – rott
31 March 1858
I wonder where is all my relations
Friendship to all – and every nation
16 August 1857
What Does a Dave Pot Look Like?
• Usually a Large Pot
• Grey, Ash, Khaki-brown colored
• One-Two Handles
• Has “Dave” written on it, has poetry on it, or has a large “X” on it
What Happened to Dave?
• It is believed that Dave gained his freedom either through his own purchase or by emancipation
• Dave’s family moved away, but Dave stayed in Edgefield
• Left a legacy
Are Dave’s Pots Around Today?
• YES! Hundreds of Dave pots exist, and it is thought that even more may exist.
• Today a Dave pot is worth anywhere from $5,000-$50,000!!!
Are There Any Modern Potters Like Dave?
• Of Course! Jim McDowell makes pots in much the same way that Dave did.
• Jim likes to express his feelings about slavery in his pots
• He explores his ancestry through his art
Let’s Play A Game! Are the following pots by Dave or not?