The descendants of David Drake, the 19th-century enslaved South Carolina ceramicist known as “Dave the Potter,” have launched a restitution campaign to reclaim their ancestor’s surviving handmade ceramic vessels, according to an exclusive interview given by family spokesman Yaba Baker.
Today, his surviving jars command high prices in museums and private collections, prompting his descendants to question why his family cannot own the tangible assets he produced, according to Baker, who serves as the spokesman for the Dave the Potter Legacy Trust.
The Legal and Logistical Precedent for Restitution
Represented by attorney George Fatheree, the family has recovered seven of Drake’s jars so far, a process Fatheree described as unprecedented. Unlike restitution frameworks established for Nazi-looted art or Indigenous cultural artifacts, no legal playbook previously existed for returning artwork created by enslaved Americans, according to Fatheree.
To navigate this void, the family developed an approach where institutions return Drake’s artwork to the descendants, who then arrange for the museums to purchase the pieces back. This mechanism allows museums to maintain public access to the ceramic works while the family secures financial and legal benefits from their ancestor’s estate.
Recovery Efforts and Institutional Holdings
Historical records indicate that Drake produced upwards of 40,000 stoneware vessels during his lifetime, of which approximately 250 are known to still exist, according to data cited by the Washington Post. Of those surviving pieces, roughly 40 to 60 reside in museum collections, while the remainder are held by private collectors and artists.
To date, the family’s recovery efforts have successfully reclaimed vessels from institutions and individuals including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Telfair Museums, the Georgia Museum of Art, and artist Theaster Gates. Discussions remain ongoing with several other major cultural institutions as the family pursues further returns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was David Drake?
David Drake, widely known as “Dave the Potter,” was an enslaved Black ceramicist working in Edgefield, South Carolina, during the 19th century. He is celebrated for crafting large, durable stoneware storage jars and for defying laws of the era by signing and writing poetry directly onto his pottery.
How many of David Drake’s pieces still exist?
Historical estimates indicate that while Drake made over 40,000 pieces in his lifetime, only about 250 are known to survive today, split between public museums and private collections.
What is the Dave the Potter Legacy Trust seeking?
The trust, representing Drake’s descendants, is working to reclaim ownership of the surviving ceramic vessels created by their ancestor, establishing a precedent for the restitution of art produced by enslaved individuals.
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