Another kind, a hard-fired earthenware, was also made in
England. At least two distinct types of local-made earthenware have been
found, and, as many examples have well-proportioned shapes and
attractive designs, it is evident that they were not fashioned by a
young apprentice, but by a trained potter who took pride in shaping his
wares.
English Sgraffito-ware (a slipware).--This colorful pottery, beautifully
decorated with incised designs, is an English earthenware of red or buff
clay on which a slip was applied. Before firing, a decoration was
scratched, stippled, or cut through the slip, exposing the darker color
of the body. The entire piece then received a transparent lead glaze,
either clear or covered with an oxide. The English sgraffito-ware found
at Jamestown was made near Barnstaple, in North Devonshire, probably
after 1640. The reddish-brown floral and geometric designs which
decorate the vessels are unusually attractive against colorful yellow
backgrounds. Sgraffito is an Italian word meaning scratched.
English Slip-decorated-ware.--This colorful English pottery, which was
made for everyday use, is a lead-glazed earthenware decorated with a
liquid clay or slip. The design was usually dropped or trailed upon the
ware from the spout (or quill) of a slip cup, somewhat in the manner a
baker decorates a cake with icing; or it may have been painted over a
large area or placed on in molded pads.
Pages:
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49