Staffordshire Ware - Middleton Hall Excavations 2011

Description

Staffordshire ware is again another common type of pottery dating from the 18th and 19th century (Woods 2012). It is called Staffordshire ware as it came from Staffordshire, particularly from Stoke-on-Trent which at this time was the main centre for British ceramic production, being home to many large potteries such as Aynsley, Doulton, Minton, Tyford and possibly the most popular household name, Wedgewood (Wedgewood 1913). This area was well placed for ceramic production as many of the ingredients needed to produce good quality ceramics such as clay, salt, lead and coal where readily available (Wedgewood 1913). The peak of business came with the advent of the railways in the early to mid-19th century (Wedgewood 1913).

The fragment in the photograph was discovered in the hall trench within one of the demolition deposits, providing some commentary on the date at which the hall was demolished, which from looking at this fragment would have been around the late 18th century, which fits in with our understanding of the site from the historic record (Austin & Dollery 2011). From looking in further detail at the size and fabric of the fragment it is possible to determine that this is probably a fine ware and may have belonged to a drinking vessel of somekind, perhaps a tea cup (Woods 2012).

Austin, D. & Dollery, J. The Excavation. In Austin, D [Ed] 2011 Paradise Lost In Search of a Garden before the Garden: Middleton Hall. Report of project conducted in 2011. Heritage Lottery Fund

Wedgewood, J. C. 1913 Staffordshire Pottery and its History. Harvard University Press.

Woods, M. 2012 The National Botanic Garden of Wales: A History Through Finds. University of Wales, Trinity Saint David. Unpublished

• http://www.gardenofwales.org.uk/about-2/history-of-the-gardens/ (link opens in new window)