White salt-glazed stoneware plates

As the Hungate excavations dig deeper into York’s post-medieval layers more of this attractive white salt-glazed stoneware is starting to be recovered, including one or two quite complete pieces.

White salt-glazed stoneware was made between about 1720 and 1770 and is defined by its thin, light grey or white, vitreous, dense stoneware fabric. Its production marks a step in the pottery manufacturers’ quest to achieve a clear white pottery which was desirable for painting or to which transferred decoration could be best applied.

From about 1740 until 1770 a range of standardized moulded plate rims developed using block moulds of various patterns.

Two examples of plate rims are shown here which include the ‘dot, diaper and basket’ pattern (the top one) and the simpler feathered-edge design. These same rim designs, using the same types of moulds, were taken over by the later creamware and pearlware manufacturers whose products gradually replaced the white salt-glazed pottery during the second half of the 18th century.