Agateware

Agateware

Ware made by combining differently coloured clays or by combing together different colours of slip. In the former method the clays were usually laid in slabs, one on the other, and beaten out to form a homogeneous mass in which the colours were inextricably mingled.

Agatewares were made in Stoke-on-Trent between 1725 and 1750, the earlier specimens being salt glazed, while the later ones were covered with a colourless lead glaze. 

Whieldon is most famous for his use of coloured glazes that were mingled to give a clouded or tortoiseshell effect and were used on an earthenware body, sometimes over molded decoration.

questions / comments? email Steve Birks steveb@netcentral.co.uk