Description

Fabric: very variable in color and texture. Color varies from buff through orange and orange-gray to gray and dark gray. Generally has fine sand grains (tiny silvery glistening inclusions – sanidine) and often large sand in varying quantities. Sometimes has occasional clay pellets or hematite inclusions. Picture.

Glaze: Lead glazed in shades of brown to olive green; black streaks from inclusions in the clay. Slipwares and sgraffito slipwares were also produced at Nether Stowey. These are difficult to distinguish from Donyatt wares and consist of an internal white slip covered by an amber glaze, often with patches of green. The sgraffito decoration appears brown under the glaze.

Forms: Handled and basket-handled jars; bowls (pans); colanders, dishes; pipkins; cooking pots, chafing dishes

Nether Stowey lies close to the north Somerset coast and the mouth of the River Parrett giving it the advantages of the coastwise trade. It was marketed heavily to Bristol. There is evidence to suggest that a kiln was operating there by the late 16th century.

Sources
Barton, K.J. (1964) " The Excavation of a Medieval Bastion at St. Nicholas's Almshouses, King Street, Bristol," Medieval Archaeology 8:184-212.

Good, G.L. (1987) " Narrow Quay, Bristol" Post-Medieval Archaeology 21:25-126.

McCarthy, Michael R. and Catherine M. Brooks (1988) Medieval Pottery in Britain AD900-1600. Leicester University Press.

Sites
Jamestown Rediscovery, Structure 165 (c.1607-1610)

Prepared by Bly Straube