Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 143, The Timothy Sainsbury Gallery

Jar

1809 (dated)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The technique of inlay was popular in medieval times, particularly for the production of tiles. Patterns were carved or pressed into tiles and then filled with coloured liquid clay creating a crisp pattern. After 1850, the inlay technique was adopted again by English potters. Designs were carved into leather hard pots and filled with contrasting clays.

The potter who created this lidded jar used metal printers' type to impress an inscription onto the body of the jar. The use of type to create patterns was particularly common in the Sussex area. The decorative inscription is crisply visible against the body of the vessel.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Lead-glazed earthenware with inlaid decoration
Brief description
Jar, lead-glazed earthenware with inlaid decoration, probably made in High Halden, Kent, dated 1809
Physical description
Red-bodied earthenware jar with designs of leafy branches and inscription inlaid in slip.
Marks and inscriptions
Mrs SHOOSMITH ** CATERBURY ** 1809 ** P
Gallery label
Jar Probably Made in High Halden, Kent, dated 1809 Lead-glazed earthenware with inlaid decoration C.328-1930 Given by Mrs Celia Hemming(23/05/2008)
Credit line
Given by Mrs Ceila Hemming
Summary
The technique of inlay was popular in medieval times, particularly for the production of tiles. Patterns were carved or pressed into tiles and then filled with coloured liquid clay creating a crisp pattern. After 1850, the inlay technique was adopted again by English potters. Designs were carved into leather hard pots and filled with contrasting clays.

The potter who created this lidded jar used metal printers' type to impress an inscription onto the body of the jar. The use of type to create patterns was particularly common in the Sussex area. The decorative inscription is crisply visible against the body of the vessel.
Collection
Accession number
C.328-1930

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Record createdMarch 31, 2008
Record URL
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