Ok so this has been on my hitlist ever since I found out it existed: Midlands Purple. I love it. It's plain and utilitarian, but it was made right near my hometown so I was desperate to find a shard for myself.
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| Mudlarking find: Midlands Purple shard |
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| Mudlarking find: Inside view of large Midlands Purple shard |
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| Mudlarking find: Outside view of large Midlands Purple shard |
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| Mudlarking find: detail of inclusions in Midlands Purple shard |
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| Mudlarking find: detail of inclusions in Midlands Purple shard |
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| Mudlarking find: I know this one is a little blurry, but it gives a nice indication of how the rim was designed so that it could be more easily lifted |
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| Mudlarking find: Another Midlands Purple shard with trace of luscious green glaze |
In the Fourteenth and Fifteenth centuries technological advances meant pottery became increasingly higher fired. Also because of new cooking methods, the types of vessels produced changed, there was a new demand for pipkins, cups and lids, dripping dishes, and cisterns.
This Midlands Purple ware was produced in Chilvers Coton and Ticknall in Derbyshire. The ware has a characteristic purple hew, but also the colours can vary with tinges of grey, red, orange, brown and salmon pink.
The wares have a pimply texture which is created by the quartz sand in the clay, and could be unglazed or be dripped with black, brown and yellow-brown glazes. The workmanship is generally quite poor, and there is seldom any signs of decoration, but its still lovely in its own purpley way.
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| Group of Midlands Purple Ware items. |
Bottom Image: University of Leicester
