VESSEL

A collection of nine wheel-thrown ceramic Iron-rich sandy ware glazed body sherds, dating to the 13th/ 14th century, between AD 1200 – 1400 (varying thickness: 4 – 9.5mm; collective weight: 38.6g). The sherds are in a worn but fair condition. They form part of a large collection of vessel sherds found by the finder including Iron rich sandy ware and Midlands Purple vessel sherds (see related records). Altogether, these sherds highlight a 13th/ 14th century domestic collection that appears to have been thrown into a midden dump or pit, possibly close to a settlement.

The iron rich clay fabric small and abundant subangular to subrounded quartz grains with some infrequent subrounded iron ore fragments present. In some cases, voids in the fabric suggest burnt out inclusions, which may have originally been organic material. The ware is hard fired with some of the sherds beingcompletely oxidised, whilst some others have a reduced dark grey or black core. The surface of the pottery is evenly oxidised to an orange colour. Most of the glaze on these sherds colour is yellowish green in colour, apart from one sherd which has a light brown glaze on one side. Additionally, one sherd has linear decoration on it.

In the publication listed below, D. Ford has detailed the following information:

Iron-rich sandy ware is also known as sandy cooking pot fabric or reduced sandy ware. This type of ware includes a wide range of pottery: unglazed utilitarian wares mostly used as cooking pots and glazed table wares, which range from early green-glazed pitchers to the later highly decorated jugs (as well as some glazed bowls, dripping pans and small jars). The iron rich clay fabric always contains moderate to common subangular to subrounded quartz grains, and occasionally there are a few large subangular quartz fragments (up to c. 4mm). Subangular to subrounded iron ore fragments may be rarely to commonly present, with coarser fragments up to 5-6mm. In some cases, voids suggest burnt out inclusions, which may have been organic material. The ware is usually hard fired; the body may be completely oxidised, or has a reduced dark grey or black core. The surface of the pottery can be evenly oxidised to a red, orange or fawn colour, patchily oxidised, or reduced to dark brown, grey or black.

The unglazed vessels (mostly cooking pots or jars) may be wheel thrown or hand-formed, with the rim finished on a slow wheel. They have simple profiles – straight-sided, barrel-shaped or globular – with a flat or slightly sagging base. These examples have a small range of everted rim forms, some of which could have taken a lid. Other vessel types include bowls, dishes, dripping pans, pipkins and cufews, although these are rare.

Glaze colour can be a mottled green, a rich copper green, yellowish green or colourless, and can be hand-formed and wheel-finished, or wheel-thrown.

Iron rich sandy ware has a broad date range from the 11th-14th centuries. No kiln sites have been discovered in Staffordshire, although kiln evidence has been found at Audlem, Cheshire and at Chilvers Coton nr. Nuneaton, Warwickshire. This ware is common throughout the West Midlands although few examples have been found in North Staffordshire. Examples of pitchers and jugs have been found at Stafford Castle; Eyeswell Manor moated site in Eccleshall and Sandon deserted medieval village.

Ref: Ford, D, A, 1995, ‘Medieval Pottery in Staffordshire, AD 800 – 1600: A Review’, pages 32-3.