Creamer
c. 1820 (made)
| Place of origin |
Black basalt is a hard black vitreous stoneware, named after the volcanic rock basalt. The colour of black basalt came from 'Carr', an oxide of iron suspended in water that flowed through coal seams and mines. It was manufactured by Josiah Wedgwood from about 1768 and other manufacturers soon followed. Black basalt does not need to be glazed and can just be polished to a dull sheen. The use of the engine-turning lathe was first introduced into the Staffordshire pottery industry by Josiah Wedgwood I in 1763 and quickly adopted by other potteries.The engine –turned decoration on this creamer is unusual for the staggered lines of the chequer pattern. Most examples conform to a clear grid design, here the engine turning may be experimental.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | black basalt, moulded and engine turned |
| Brief description | Creamer, black basalt with engine-turned decoration, possibly Leeds, c.1820 |
| Physical description | Creamer, black basalt with engine-turned decoration |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Gift of Laura Fransella from the collection of her late mother Erica Propper |
| Summary | Black basalt is a hard black vitreous stoneware, named after the volcanic rock basalt. The colour of black basalt came from 'Carr', an oxide of iron suspended in water that flowed through coal seams and mines. It was manufactured by Josiah Wedgwood from about 1768 and other manufacturers soon followed. Black basalt does not need to be glazed and can just be polished to a dull sheen. The use of the engine-turning lathe was first introduced into the Staffordshire pottery industry by Josiah Wedgwood I in 1763 and quickly adopted by other potteries.The engine –turned decoration on this creamer is unusual for the staggered lines of the chequer pattern. Most examples conform to a clear grid design, here the engine turning may be experimental. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.9-2013 |
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| Record created | January 24, 2013 |
| Record URL |
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