18th-Century Artifacts

Ties to England, Ireland, and Africa

In the 1970s, excavations between the southern flanker building and the southern façade of Drayton Hall revealed an assemblage of exceptional artifacts that illustrate the wealth and refinement of the 18th-century Drayton family. Through the advent of rice cultivation and exportation, the Draytons gained prosperity and became full participants in the British consumer revolution. The remains of this consumption, ranging from highly decorative ceramics and fine glasswares to furniture hardware and clock parts, facilitates an understanding of 18th-century taste and the material culture of Charleston planters.

But the 18th century Draytons could not have achieved their wealth if it were not for the work of enslaved Africans and their descendants. The material culture that remains from Drayton Hall's African residents demonstrates how cultural practices from Africa were carried to and employed in the New World.

	A section of a dial and a key, originally part of an 18th-century tall-case clock, exemplify the affluence of the Draytons. Clocks of this sort were only found in the more sumptuous Charleston homes and were commonly imported from London.
	Additional imports uncovered archeologically are an assortment of 18th- and 19th-century tin-glazed earthenware "delft" tiles. Used to line fireplaces, at least eight varieties of tiles have been identified at Drayton Hall, and this is probably a reflection of changing styles. Delft tiles were manufactured in England and the Netherlands from the 16th to the 19th century, and popular themes depicted on the tiles include flowers, birds, soldiers, maritime activities, biblical scenes and geometric patterning.
	Artifacts related to 18th-century entertaining include a decanter, etched beaker and faceted wine glass stem. All are made of lead crystal, and the decanter, with three broadly spaced rings, was manufactured in Cork, Ireland in the 1780s.
	Colonoware is found in high concentrations around Drayton Hall and the flanker buildings. Used to cook for English and African diners, this type of earthenware ceramic was made by enslaved Africans, using traditional African methods.