Potluck: an object biography of post-medieval slipware.

By Amie Kirby, first year BA Archaeology student.

The image above is of a potsherd found in Trench 2 of the Auckland Castle excavations. Its brown/red and yellow vine decoration is what is known as ‘slipware’: pottery known distinctively by its decorating process by which slip is placed onto the clay before firing, via techniques such as painting.[i] The sherd was found in its context associated with other numerous sherds, such as that of a similar brown glaze.

As a ceramic style, slipware was popular in Britain in the post-medieval period, specifically around the 17th-18th century. This is interesting in relation to our excavations at Auckland Castle because it suggests a separate occupation phase of the castle -which has had continual building projects from the 12th century onwards- in the post-medieval period. In considering this stunning find in relation to its trench context, other finds such as medieval glass emphasise the continuity of occupation at the castle.

It is possibly thought that Trench 2 might have been the site of a kitchen or brewery, thus finds within the trench such as glass, bone, and this fascinating sherd, may link to this potential use. Hopefully, as the excavation continues the importance of finds like these, and their respective contexts, will become clearer.

[i] (Osborne 1975: 746-747)