Saucer

Museum Object Number 1953.0038.005 B

Object Name

Saucer

Category

Ceramics

Credit Line/Donor

Museum purchase

Place of Origin

Staffordshire or Shropshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Date

1750-1775

Materials

Earthenware (blackware); Lead glaze

Techniques

Thrown, Sprig-molded, Gilded

Dimensions (inches)

1.18 (H) , 4.43 (Diam)

Dimensions (centimeters)

2.997 (H) , 11.252 (Diam)

Object Description

Web - 02/16/2021

Sometimes called lead-glazed blackware, most ceramics of this general type were made in Staffordshire, England, during the mid 1700s. (Jackfield, in Shropshire, England, was another producer but made much lower quantities than did Staffordshire.) The glossy dark appearance of blackware was achieved in either of two ways: a nearly-black earthenware body was covered in a clear, yellowish lead glaze; or, a dark red earthenware body was coated in lead glaze that was tinted dark brown. Although such wares now typically display an overall shiny appearance, many originally bore “cold painted” (unfired or low-temperature-fired) ornament inspired by the appearance of popular Asian lacquerwork. However, cold-applied designs did not adhere well to the glaze surface, and over time many wore away, leaving an uneven appearance. Some 20th century collectors chose to rub away the remaining, deteriorated color decoration, in favor of an overall more mirror-like, reflective appearance. Happily, the "cold gilding" on this example has survived to the present day. In terms of its relief decoration, the design source for this object may have been imported Chinese Yixing stoneware.