Federal period (1776-1860s)
Unknown. Portrait of Harriet Powers. 1901. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons via CC0
The Federal style was based on ancient Greek and Roman motifs. These were used in architecture to create a uniquely American style while associating America with other great civilizations. Black artisans worked mostly in cabinetmaking, architecture, pottery, and textiles mixed African motifs with European styles.
Examples from this period:
Harriet Powers (1837-1910) worked in quilting after emancipation. Only two of her works are known to survive today. She showed her pieces at many exhibitions including the Athens Cotton Fair in Georgia in 1886.
