1984 Redware Small Deep Dish Sgraffito Distelfink Tulip Oley Valley Gerald Yoder

Description:   A beautiful and very unusual small (~6 3/4" diameter) dish having raised scalloped edge by Gerald Yoder of Oley Valley. The dish which has a very unusual raised wavy rim has a wide brown edge with a light brown or yellowish center having a beautiful design within it. The design depicts a blue colored distelfink, the imaginary bird that represent happiness and good fortune for the Pennsylvania Germans, surrounded by tulips. The bird and flowers are very much basic Pennsylvania Dutch symbols and are very common in their art. The piece is beautifully colored in blue, brown, yellow, and green.  The design which is on a yellow background is surrounded by a band consisting of arches between the circular central design and the raised brown scalloped rim. This small plate is glazed on top but is unglazed on the back. The back is signed and dated by the artist. This is a rare dish from the Oley Valley pottery made by one of the best potters with the Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. P