Pa. German Waffle Iron
c. 1938
Medium
graphite on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 25 x 37.2 cm (9 13/16 x 14 5/8 in.) Original IAD Object: 30" long
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.3641
Art Historical Context
Discover the intricate charm of *Pa. German Waffle*, a meticulous graphite drawing on paperboard by Roy Weber, created around 1938. This work captures a 30-inch-long Pennsylvania German waffle iron, a quintessential piece of folk craft from the Pennsylvania Dutch community—descendants of 18th-century German immigrants known for their distinctive Fraktur script, hex signs, and robust metalwork. At 25 x 37.2 cm, Weber's rendering preserves the original object's elaborate details, from its hinged plates to decorative motifs, evoking the everyday artistry of colonial American kitchens. As part of...