Modern "revivalist" fraktur created by Professor H. J. Kauffman's caretaker/nurse, Arlene Harnish. Mounted in handmade wood frame with corner blocks.
Marriage and birth certificate done on tinted laid paper with various colors. Within a border are three panels, the larger central panel has the text: "Henry Ka/uffman/Son of David and Anna/Kauffman was born on/November 14, 1908 in Yo/ork County, Pa. Married/ Elizabeth Zoe Tomer/July 20, 1938." Signed at the bottom "A Harnish" The two side panels are nearly symmetrical, featuring flowering plants growing out of a colorful pitcher resting on a stepped pedestal. A large colorful bird is perched in each of the plants.
Frame was made by HJK in earlier years.
1704 Millersville Pike, Lancaster
Provenance
Made by Arlene Harnish (b. 13 March 1946), caretaker of Henry J. Kauffman. She stated on 30 May 2000, that she learned to make fraktur by taking a class at Landis Valley Museum taught by Jere Kickerman. This piece was only the second fraktur she made, the first being the project for the class, done for her granddaughter.
Harnish made this fraktur for HJK during working hours at his residence when another was pressing. She copied motifs from a book. When completed, HJK told her to look for a frame in the basement. The one she found turned out to be one made by Kauffman himself. Harnish expressed shock and embarrassment upon learning that Kauffman had donated her fraktur to a museum. Arlene is Mrs. R. Edwin Harnish, 1586 Georgetown Rd. Christiana, PA phone: 5292712.
Modern fraktur and frame in excellent condition. The handmade from has small crack in top left corner block where nailed. Wood stain shows brush marks. Brown paper backing.
Object ID
G.96.37.9
Notes
This fraktur is featured in Irwin Richman's book "Pa. German Arts," 2001, page 14.
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Usage
Kauffman's home
Credit
Gift of Henry J. Kauffman, Heritage Center Collection
Saltglazed stoneware jug has beehive shape, thick lips at mouth and applied handle attached to neck and shoulder. Cobalt decoration is a horizontal flower on side under the impressed name "COWDEN & WILCOX/ HARRISBURG." Daubs of cobalt decorate both terminals of handle. Tan body has dark blotches created in firing. Glazed overall except for underside, which is scored with comb-like marks. Pencil inscription on bottom is perhaps "Daniel Hartman."
Wheel-thrown stoneware pitcher, gray ovoid body with extended neck and pulled spout. Applied handle. Clear salt glaze except for bottom and interior. Brushed cobalt decoration is foliate designs at both sides of spout, graceful leaf and flower design at front side with two pendant branches; both handle terminals highlighted with additional leafage extending from lower terminal. Decorative incised line at top of shoulder.
Badly chipped: 2 at spout, 1 at side of rim, minor ones at base along with one very large chip and one medium size. Rusty discoloration at one side with adjacent imperfections in finish likely from firing. Stained and soiled on bottom and interior.
Object ID
G.96.37.103
Credit
Gift of Henry J. Kauffman, Heritage Center Collection
