Ceramic
There are two main elements to identifying ceramics:
- Type of ceramic – way the clay is treated
- Glaze and decoration – ways the finished product is treated, glazed and painted
| Type of ceramic | Property |
|---|---|
| Earthenware | Coarse, rough, granular feel Porous |
| Stoneware | Hard, heavy Watertight |
| Porcelain | Hard, lighter, thinner Translucent if held to light |
| Type of glaze/decoration | Property | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Lead glaze | Yellow/green in colour | |
| Tin glaze | White in colour | 1500; 1640-1750 |
| Slip | Liquified clay used as decoration. Gives decoration raised or nodular feel/appearance | Especially late 17th century |
| Transfer printed | Sometimes able to see a ‘join’ in the decoration | 1750 onwards |
| Lustreware | Thin layer of metal as decoration | 1800 onwards |
Resource: SHCG has run a training session on ceramics and the ceramics handout is a good starting point to their identification.
Also search on FirstBASE for pottery, ceramic or porcelain to find more resources.