Nottingham - type

Defining Attributes

Stoneware with a buff to orange to gray body covered with a lustrous salt-glaze that gives the appearance of burnished metal. Decorated with incising, engine turning, molding, sprigging, piercings, raised cordons, polychrome decoration, and bands of rustications.

Chronology

Developed by James Morley at the end of the 17^th century, production continued until the early 19^th century. However, production began to decline after ca. 1775 (Oswald 1974). The earliest dated piece is marked "1700" and the latest "1799" (Lewis 1999).

Description

Fabric
Nottingham-type stoneware is characterized by a homogenous stoneware body with no visible inclusions. Oswald (1974) describes the paste as ranging in color from buff to deep orange to light and dark gray.

Glaze
A lustrous brown engobe under a salt-glazed surface creates the appearance of burnished metal. In cross section, a thin layer of white slip often can be seen separating the glaze and body. The highly metallic brown engobe has a tendency to smooth or obliterate the typical "orange peel" texture of salt glazes. Glaze color can vary from light brown to dark brown. On early pieces from Derbyshire with thin or spotty glaze, color can range from yellow to orange to gray-green to purple brown and dark brown (Oswald 1974).

Oswald (1974) and Noël Hume (2001) note that the line of white slip is not always present on Nottingham-type stoneware, contrary to popular belief. Furthermore, Noël Hume (2001:180) argues that the common rule of thumb that Nottingham products are milk chocolate or ginger brown, while those from Derbyshire are dark chocolate, is also not a reliable guide.

Decoration
Incised and engine turned or rouletted designs were used throughout the 18^th century. Molding, sprigging, piercings, raised cordons, polychrome decoration, and bands of rustications did not develop until the mid-18^th century. Nottingham-type ware was  frequently incised manually with names and dates, as well as with floral designs. Clay shavings, or grog, were used to decorate teapots, and to simulate fur on animal figurines, from ca. 1740 – ca. 1780. Some vessels had dark manganese inlays after the mid-18^th century (Oswald 1974).

Form
Forms include pitchers, tea and coffee pots, tankards, loving cups, mugs, puzzle jugs, and punch bowls, as well as specialized vessels such as ink wells and boxes. Animal figurines decorated with clay shavings for fur were also made. Oswald (1974) illustrates many 18^th century forms and decorations.

Notes

Reference