Question
What is the history of the pottery industry?
Answer
The history of the pottery industry in the UK is rich and varied, with significant developments occurring from the post-Roman period through the industrial revolution. This response focuses on key historical phases and transformations in the UK pottery industry.
Early Developments
Post-Roman Period: The first post-Roman pottery industries in England began utilizing wheel-throwing techniques around the mid-ninth century, particularly in Stamford, Ipswich, and Thetford. This period saw the introduction of wheel-thrown pottery, possibly influenced by Scandinavian settlers (Blinkhorn and Griffiths, 2023).
Late Saxon Period: The potter’s wheel was reintroduced in the late ninth century, spreading rapidly across eastern England. This was facilitated by the relocation of potters and the establishment of new production centres, such as in Newark, Nottinghamshire (Perry, 2019).
Medieval to Early Modern Period
Medieval London: By the late Saxon period, there was a significant trade in pottery from Oxford to London. By the 12th century, London had developed a wheel-thrown glazed ware industry that exported pottery throughout England and beyond (Vince, 1985).
Ely Pottery: Pottery production in Ely, Cambridgeshire, began in the 11th-12th centuries and continued until the late 19th century, reflecting broader trends in ceramic globalization and local industry dynamics (Cessford, 2019).
Industrial Revolution
18th Century Transformation: Prior to the 18th century, British pottery was basic and locally produced. However, from about 1750, the industry underwent significant changes, becoming a major factory-based industry. This transformation was largely inspired by figures like Josiah Wedgwood in North Staffordshire, who revolutionized pottery production and design (Taylor, 1988).
Growth and Expansion: Between 1660 and 1815, the pottery industry in England expanded significantly, with new production centres and increased exports. This period marked the transition from a domestic to an industrialized pottery industry (Weatherill, 1986).
Conclusion
The UK pottery industry has evolved from small-scale, localized production in the post-Roman period to a major industrial force by the 18th century. Key developments include the reintroduction of the potter’s wheel, the establishment of significant production centres, and the industrialization of pottery manufacturing, particularly in North Staffordshire. These changes reflect broader economic and cultural shifts within the UK and beyond.
References
Blinkhorn, P., & Griffiths, S., 2023. The Vikings and the origins of wheel-thrown pottery production in ninth century England. Archaeological Journal, 180, pp. 104 – 136. https://doi.org/10.1080/00665983.2023.2249346
Perry, G., 2019. SITUATION VACANT: POTTER REQUIRED IN THE NEWLY FOUNDED LATE SAXON BURH OF NEWARK-ON-TRENT, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. The Antiquaries Journal, 99, pp. 33 – 61. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0003581519000040
Cessford, C., 2019. ‘A Tale of Two Sibleys’: ceramic counter narratives, globalization, individuality and the last century of the Ely pottery industry c. 1770–1870. Post-Medieval Archaeology, 53, pp. 266 – 283. https://doi.org/10.1080/00794236.2019.1654748
Taylor, D., 1988. The Pottery Industry 1700–1900. **, pp. 105-113. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-19377-6_8
Weatherill, L., 1986. The growth of the pottery industry in England, 1660-1815. **. https://doi.org/10.1080/00794236.1983.11716213
Vince, A., 1985. The Saxon and Medieval Pottery of London: A Review. Medieval Archaeology, 29, pp. 25-93. https://doi.org/10.1080/00766097.1985.11735465
University of Chicago, 2003, It happened first in ancient Mesopotamia (online), available: [http://www-news.uchicago.edu/releases/03/oi/030715.oi-firsts.shtml], accessed: 12/10/16
European Commission, 2016, Growth; Industries related to raw materials; Ceramics (online), available: [https://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/raw-materials/industries/non-metals/ceramics_en], accessed: 12/10/16
De Guire, E. 2014, History of Ceramics (online), The American Ceramic Society, available: [http://ceramics.org/learn-about-ceramics/history-of-ceramics], accessed: 12/10/16
Popular Archaeology, 2012, The Earliest Known Pottery (online), available: [http://popular-archaeology.com/issue/june-2012/article/the-earliest-known-pottery], accessed: 12/10/16
