Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Ford Rouge Factory Tour and Giant Screen Experience will be closed Monday, March 16, for a day of staff learning and development. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Ford Rouge Factory Tour and Giant Screen Experience will be closed Monday, March 16, for a day of staff learning and development. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Barber Basin, 1791

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Artifact Overview

This barber basin is an important early example of Pennsylvania German pottery. It features techniques common to the Pennsylvania German style, including sgraffito (a term used to describe incised decoration) and the use of colorful red slip.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Shaving basin

Date Made

1791

Creators

Place of Creation

Creator Notes

Attributed to David Spinner of Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

60.140.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Earthenware
Slip (Clay)
Glaze

Color

Red
Yellow (Color)
Green

Dimensions

Diameter: 7.625 in
Height: 2.75 in

Inscriptions

around rim [in German script, translated]: By everything in the world I know not why my beard has grown so thin [Ich weiss nit in der Welt mein bart der ist gar eingestelt 1791]
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