Staffordshire slipware dotted cup or drinking pot.

This fragment is a ceramic archaeologists refer to as North Midlands/Staffordshire type slipware. The word “type” is used here to denote the fact that coarse, slip decorated wares were actually produced in several regions of England throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth century. One feature that unites these traditions is the technique of applying slip, or a very liquid clay, to the vessel for decoration. During production vessels would be formed on the wheel or a mold, allowed to dry to a leather hard state, and then dark brown and white slips might be applied in a variety of stylistic elements to the vessel before it was dipped into a clear lead glaze and fired.

The decorative elements often took advantage of the unique properties of slip. Dots, as can be seen on this vessel, were made by dripping a small among of slip onto the vessel. More complex decorations required a greater application of slip, or multiple slips to the vessel. Combed decoration, as seen on this vessel, required the application of both a base colored slip (brown or yellow) upon which lines of a second color would be trailed. Then before both slips dried, a special combed tool would be pulled perpendicularly through the lines to create a feathered appearance.

This fragment is from drinking pot form. Such pots were often decorated with dots below the rim and trailed and combed lines around the body. Beverages like cider or beer were consumed from these vessels. Additionally, they served as porringers, shallow bowls with single or double handles to protect the hand from the heat of the contents. The food, porridges or stews for example, could be spooned or sipped directly from the vessel, depending on its consistency. Drinking pots have been found at nearly every eighteenth century site at Mount Vernon, form the South Grove Midden, to the House for Families, to the Blacksmiths’ Shop.

This vessel is on display at the International Slavery Museum, Liverpool and was catalogued from drawings.