Part 5 (1/2)

From the standpoint of identifying and dating the archeologically recovered sgraffito ware, these jugs are important in showing certain traits similar to those found in the sherds, while displaying other characteristics that are distinctly different. They support the archeological evidence that the Jamestown pieces are earlier than the jugs and that new design concepts were appearing by the turn of the century in a novel type of presentation piece.

NORTH DEVON PLAIN SLIP-COATED WARE

This is a plain variant of the sgraffito ware, differing only in the absence of decoration and in some of the forms.

Site: Jamestown.

FORMS

Plates: Diameter 7”-11-1/2”. Profiles as in sgraffito plates. Upper surface slipped and glazed.

Eating bowls: Diameter 9”; height 3-1/2”. Profile and handle same as in sgraffito bowls. Slipped and glazed on interior and over rim.

Porringers: Diameter 5-1/2”; height 2-3/4”. Ogee profiles. Horizontal loop handle applied 3/4” below rim on each. Slipped and glazed on interiors.

(Fig. 22.)

Drinking bowls: Diameter of rim, including handle, 5”; height 2-3/4”-3”; diameter of base 2”. In shape of mazer bowl, these have narrow bases and straight sides terminating in raised tooled bands at the junctions with vertical or slightly inverted rims 1” in height. Each has a horizontal looped handle attached at bottom of rim. Slipped and glazed on interiors.

(Fig. 22.)

Wavy-edge pans: Diameter 9”-10”; height 2”. Flat round pans with vertical rims distorted in wide scallops or waves. Purpose not known. Slipped and glazed on interiors.

NORTH DEVON GRAVEL-TEMPERED WARE

Sites: Jamestown, Kecoughtan, Green Spring, Williamsburg, Marlborough, John Was.h.i.+ngton House, Kent Island, Angelica Knoll, Townsend, John Bowne House, ”R. M.,” Winslow, John Howland House.

PASTE

Manufacture: Wheel-turned, except ovens and rectangular pans, which are ”draped” over molds. (See ”Forms,” below.)

Temper: Very coa.r.s.e water-worn quartz and feldsparthic gravel up to one-half inch in length; also occasional sherds. Proportion of temper 15-25 percent, except in ovens, which were about 30 percent.

Texture: Poorly kneaded, bubbly, and porous, with temper poorly mixed.

Temper particles easily rubbed out of matrix. Very irregular and angular cleavage because of coa.r.s.e temper. Hard and resistant to blows, but crumbles at fracture when broken.

Color: Dull pinkish red to deep orange-red. Almost invariably gray at core, except in ovens.

Firing: Carelessly fired, with incomplete oxidation of paste.

SURFACE

Treatment: Glazed with powdered galena on interiors of containers, never externally. Glaze very carelessly applied, with much evidence of dripping, running, and unintentional spilling.

Texture: Very coa.r.s.e and irregular, with gravel temper protruding.

Color: Unglazed surfaces range from bright terra cotta to reddish buff.

Glazed surfaces on well-fired pieces are transparent yellow-green with frequent orange splotches. Overtired pieces become dark olive-amber, sometimes approaching black. Rare specimens have slipped interiors subsequently glazed, with similar b.u.t.ter-yellow color effect as in sgraffito and plain slip-coated types.