David Drake

David or Dave Drake (c.1800-1870) was an African American slave in the 19th century who worked in Edgefield, South Carolina as a potter.

He created large jugs, churns and pitchers with remarkable glazes. He was one of the first African Americans to sign his ceramics and is famous for writing short verses on his pots.

David Drake, Food Storage Jar “Made for John Monday”, 1857, Courtesy of McKissick Museum, University of South Carolina