Bottom Knocker
| Place of origin |
The wonderfully-named 'saggar maker's bottom knocker' is the name used to describe the person who knocked the bottom of a saggar into place. Saggars made from heat-resistant clay held delicate pottery during kiln-firing to protect it from flames and gases. Saggar making was a skilled job that required accuracy, however the saggar maker's bottom knocker was chiefly tasked with knocking the bottom of the saggar into place, a less-skilled job often done by young boys.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | wood and metal |
| Brief description | 'Saggar Maker's Bottom Knocker' Mallet, wood and metal, maker unknown. |
| Physical description | Large wooden tool, circular mallet end with long wooden handle. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | V&A Wedgwood Collection. Presented by Art Fund with major support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, private donations and a public appeal. |
| Object history | Donated to the former Wedgwood Museum in 1978 |
| Summary | The wonderfully-named 'saggar maker's bottom knocker' is the name used to describe the person who knocked the bottom of a saggar into place. Saggars made from heat-resistant clay held delicate pottery during kiln-firing to protect it from flames and gases. Saggar making was a skilled job that required accuracy, however the saggar maker's bottom knocker was chiefly tasked with knocking the bottom of the saggar into place, a less-skilled job often done by young boys. |
| Other numbers |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | WE.416-2014 |
About this object record
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| Record created | March 30, 2017 |
| Record URL |
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