Salt-Glazed Stoneware of Colonial Charlestown and Roxbury, Ma

Imported salt-glazed stoneware was a common utilitarian ware found within the early American colonial home. It was not regional or exclusive to any one maritime community. It was imported into all colonial cities and appeared in most households of the period.

England and Germany both relied heavy on the export of their own stoneware creations into the American marketplace to stimulate and sustain their own local economies. Nearly the world-over benefited from locally produced ceramic exports into the American colonies. It was a means of commerce for most countries that did not exist prior to the New-World.

There were additional countries who exported stoneware into the American colonies through England, but the English and German wares were the most prominent within the American marketplace. Owning these refined European wares, overall, was more-so associated with American class and status than were much of the locally produced ceramics.

The ceramic imports were not only commonly found within the early American household, but very-much in American taverns as well.

Local American manufacturers who competed against the English and continental imports included such areas as Philadelphia and Virginia. The wares of these potters that included stoneware products, were reportedly exported into such urban areas as New York and Boston.

Of all the stoneware that was produced on the global stage during the eighteenth-century, the English salt-glazed stoneware is arguably my favorite. The dinner table wares of this period were extremely accomplished and so well refined, that I would find it hard to believe for anyone who appreciates ceramics to not see the skill and extreme talent that went into making these described wares.

I borrowed the following definition from Archaeology Wordsmith, that describes and defines what salt-glazed stoneware exactly is and the process that goes into making this wonderful ceramic.

"Salt-Glazed Stoneware

CATEGORY: artifact
DEFINITION: In the 14th century AD it was found that the addition of salt to the kiln gases during the firing of stoneware meant that the salt volatilized and the resultant sodium chloride vapor fluxed with the silicas in the body of the vessels to form a soda-glass glaze. As a further refinement, a brown-colored surface could be achieved by coating the vessels in a thin iron wash before firing. A patent was granted for the manufacture of such salt-glazed wares in England in 1671."

Below, are examples of artifacts found within the archaeology sites of Roxbury and Charlestown, Massachusetts. Take a careful look at how strong the potter's achievement was with these wares. They are incredible and were conceivably flawless when orginally produced more than two-hundred-fifty years ago.

Salt-Glazed Stoneware Plate (left)

Creamware Ceramic Teapot (right) - Teapot is Not Stoneware

Both Likely English Made and Circa 1740-1770

Found in Charlestown

Salt-Glazed Stoneware Chamber Pots

Both Likely English Made and Circa 1740-1770

Found in Charlestown

Salt-Glazed Stoneware Deep Dish or Bowl

Likely English Made and Circa 1740-1770

Found in Charlestown

Salt-Glazed Stoneware Bowl

Likely English Made and Circa 1740-1770

Found in Charlestown

Salt-Glazed Stoneware Base, Probably a Bowl or Cup (Top Row)

Likely English Made and Circa 1740-1770 (Top Row)

Lead Glazed Redware, One Example with Slip (Bottom Row)

Likely of Local Manufacture, Boston, Charlestown, Dorchester or Roxbury (Bottom Row)

Found at Thomas-Dillaway House Site in Roxbury

Interestingly about the Dillaway-House, it was owned by a group Roxbury ministers from the mid to late eighteenth-century. During the time of the American Revolution, the Massachusetts Militia was stationed at it and from here, they had a view of the Battle of Bunker Hill and the tops of Charlestown. Much more on this property and important home in-time.

Salt-Glazed stoneware is represented in the Boston and Faneuil Hall sites as well. However, the imported redware of this same period, is what I consider the most amazing. English redware appears at the Boston, Dorchester, Charlestown and Roxbury sites - and the decorative glaze colors are purely amazing. Here is an example of what I mean:

Staffordshire, England Redware Cup, 18th Century

Photo Courtesy: Skinner, Inc. - Boston

I discovered these three examples a few weeks ago through a Live Auctioneers search. They are all purportedly French made, and at my guess, eighteenth-century. The marblized effect I have seen before and I continue to see with early imported and domestically made redware. The idea behind the glaze is gorgeous!

Photo Courtesy: Sotheby's - New York

Photo Courtesy: Sotheby's - New York

Photo Courtesy: Sotheby's - New York

More research to come...