Language and Classification by Allison Burkette

Author:Allison Burkette
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Taylor & Francis (CAM)

Historic Ceramics

Without belaboring the point (and hopefully without bogging the reader down with detail), it’s worth taking a moment to talk about historic (i.e. post-Columbian or colonial) ceramics and the kinds of characteristics and attributes that are relevant to their classification. Historic ceramics are usually produced by ‘throwing’ a pot on a wheel and then firing the pot (often more than once) in a kiln. Classification issues pertaining to the potter’s wheel are mostly to do with the skill level of the potter. Relevant kiln factors have to do with the kiln shape and structure, the temperatures that a kiln can attain, and how the vessels being fired are arranged within. Historic ceramics also normally involve glazes (common glazes include lead glaze, tin glaze, alkaline glaze, and salt glaze) and a decent amount of decoration. Earthenware pieces (as opposed to stoneware or porcelain) make up the majority of what would be found in the Salem sites, and the different kinds of glazed earthenwares are often categorized as one of the following:

Tin glazed—English and northern European delft pottery, French-inspired faience (which is the term used by Salem potters), or Mediterranean-inspired majolica, scattered production during the colonial period

Staffordshire—early colonial wares derived from English forms and techniques, produced between 1675 and 1775

Yellow-ware—basic, utilitarian vessels such as chamber pots produced between 1825 and 1925

Jackfield—fine pottery with a glossy black glaze, a Staffordshire sub-type, produced between 1740 and 1870

Creamware—thin and light with a cream-colored body, produced between 1750 and 1820

Pearlware—more white than cream, used mainly for tea and tableware, produced after 1779 (influence by English Wedgwood china)

Whiteware—harder, more durable than creamware or pearlware, produced between 1820 and 1860

Ironstone—even harder than whiteware, produced between 1840 and 1885

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