What Is Slipware Pottery?

What is Slipware Pottery?

Slipware is a type of pottery distinguished by its decorative “slip” coating of fluid clay applied to an unfired pottery body. The term “slip” refers to the thinned clay mixture that is used to decorate or coat the pottery.

The origins of slipware date back thousands of years. Archaeological evidence indicates slipware techniques were used as early as 4000 BCE in ancient Sumeria. Slipware emerged across many cultures over the centuries, with notable traditions developing in countries like Germany, Spain, and England.

Some key features that distinguish slipware pottery include:

• A colored slip coating, often with bold designs, patterns, or motifs
• Contrast between the light-colored clay body and darker slip decoration
• Often features simple floral or geometric patterns
• Lead glazing over the slip to create a shiny surface finish

While the slip coating defines this pottery type, slipware encompasses a diverse range of styles from different eras and regions. It can range from basic kitchenware to finely crafted artisan wares. What unites them is the decorative slip finish that makes each piece unique.

Sources:

https://potteryfaqs.com/what-is-slipware-pottery/

How is Slipware Pottery Made?

Slipware pottery begins with a clay body made from select earthenware clays that produce a coarse-textured, porous surface when fired. Common clay types used include red and buff-colored local clays found in England. The porous clay body readily absorbs colored slips and glazes applied to its surface (The Pottery Wheel).

After shaping the clay vessel on a potter’s wheel, the next step is applying a colored slip to the leather-hard pottery. Slip is a mixture of fine clay particles suspended in water, resulting in a creamy liquid consistency that can be brushed or trailed onto the pottery surface. A slip trailer tool is often used to drizzle decorative lines and patterns over the base clay color (Wikipedia).

Once the slip designs have dried, the pottery may be glazed using metallic oxide glazes that create mottled finishes. The piece is then fired at relatively low temperatures under 1100°C to set the clay body, fuse the glazes, and complete the slipware pottery process (The Pottery Wheel). Firing techniques impact the final colors and textures achieved.

Types of Slipware

Slipware encompasses a variety of styles across different regions of England. Two main categories of slipware can be identified based on their aesthetic design:

Regional Styles

Some of the most well-known regional styles of slipware originated from Staffordshire, Bristol, and North Devon. Staffordshire slipware from the 17th-18th centuries features strong linear slip trailing and geometric motifs often painted in manganese purple. Bristol slipware from the same time period exhibits delicate trailing of earthy colored slips in flowing floral and feather designs. North Devon slipware dating back to the 16th century is known for unique burnished sgraffito designs created by incising patterns through layers of colored slip.

Bold Geometric vs Delicate Trailing Designs

Beyond regional variations, the two main aesthetic categories of slipware are bold geometric designs and delicate trailing motifs. Geometric slipware exhibits straight lines, angles, and geometric patterns like zigzags, diamonds, and concentric circles. This bolder style was common in Staffordshire. Delicate trailing slipware features flowing slip designs often of floral and feather motifs. This more ornate style was prevalent in Bristol and North Devon. The contrast between geometric and trailing slipware provides diversity within the broader category of English slipware pottery.

For more information, see: https://www.etsy.com/in-en/market/slipware_pottery

Common Motifs and Designs

Slipware pottery is characterized by common motifs and designs that were painted onto the pieces using slip. Some of the most popular motifs include:

Flowers, dots, and concentric circles were very common. Floral designs ranged from simple daisies to elaborate winding vines and bouquets. Dots and concentric circles were often used as decorative borders or accents. According to the Britannica, “the dotted spiral motif was a standard decoration by the early 17th century.” (Britannica)

Animals, birds, fish, and insects were also prevalent motifs. Popular animals included deer, rabbits, dogs, cats, sheep, and horses. Birds like roosters, hens, ducks, and geese were common. Fish and insects like bees, caterpillars, and butterflies were also depicted. These motifs were painted in lively scenes, like animals in a landscape or birds in flight.

Other motifs included people, houses, trees, fruit, and geometric patterns. Human figures and domestic scenes provided glimpses of everyday life. Houses and trees conveyed a pastoral countryside setting. Fruits like apples, grapes, and lemons added bright pops of color and represented abundance. Geometric patterns were often used as repeating borders.

Notable Slipware Potters

Some of the most well-known and influential slipware potters include:

Thomas Toft (1620-1689) was an English potter who ran a successful pottery business in Staffordshire in the 17th century. Toft specialized in slipware and was known for his distinctive style featuring decorative motifs like the “crown and sceptre” design. He signed his pieces, which helped popularize his work. Toft’s pottery was exported around the world and was highly prized. Pieces of his slipware have been found in colonial sites in America. According to this article, Toft’s work was so popular that copiest tried to imitate his style and signature.

John Dwight (1635-1703) was an English potter who founded the Fulham Pottery, the first major pottery manufactory in England. He was a pioneer in discovering the process for making English porcelain. Dwight experimented with mineral ingredients to create porcelain-like ware. His “Fulham stoneware” combined clay with ground glass. Dwight was granted patents for this technique, which was a precursor to true porcelain manufacture in England. His Fulham Pottery became well-known for fine slipware featuring detailed molding and pierced decoration.

Thomas Craft (1740-1795) was an English slipware potter from Worcestershire. He came from a family of potters and specialized in boldly decorated slipware with abstract motifs. Craft slipware was known for its free-flowing style featuring trailing, running colors without outlined surfaces. He was influential in moving away from tin-glazed earthenware to lead-glazed slipware. Craft’s innovative style inspired other regional slipware potters.

Collecting Slipware Pottery

Slipware pottery has become a popular collectible over the centuries due to its rustic designs and long history. For collectors, there are a few key things to keep in mind when adding slipware pieces to your collection:

Identifying Authentic Pieces

When looking for authentic antique slipware, it’s important to look closely at the quality of the materials and decorations. Real slipware has a rough, porous feel and the designs tend to be a bit crude or naive in style. The colors also have a dull, matte look. Fakes may have colors that are too bright and designs that are too precise. Examining the bottom for maker’s marks can also help confirm it’s an original.

Condition and Repairs

Old slipware often has some wear like chips, cracks, and fading. Minor imperfections are expected with antique pottery. However, major damage and improper repairs will negatively impact value. Repairs should be clearly visible and not passed off as original. Perfect condition is rare and should be viewed with suspicion.

Pricing and Value

Pricing for slipware varies greatly depending on age, maker, condition, and rarity. Simple country pottery by unknown makers tends to be more affordable, while rare signed pieces can fetch much higher prices at auction. Unique or early pieces in excellent condition will be the most valuable. Prices also depend on current trends and demand. Having an item professionally appraised is recommended to determine fair pricing.

Notable Collections

Some of the most significant public collections of English slipware pottery can be found in major museum collections like the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The Fitzwilliam has over 300 pieces in their collection, including chargers, porringers, cups, mugs, jugs, and figures dating from the 17th to 19th centuries.

The Met’s American Wing features an extensive display of English slipware from the late 1600s to early 1700s that was gifted to the museum by early Americana collector Henry Francis du Pont. Their collection includes important examples like a 1690 Staffordshire dish depicting the biblical story of Jonah and the whale.

In addition to public museums, there are also many prominent private collectors who have amassed extensive collections of slipware over the decades. These include names like Barry and Patricia Faulkner, Ian and June Horne, and Richard Dennis, who have each spent years hunting for special and rare examples of slipware at antique markets and auctions.

Slipware in Culture

Slipware pottery played an important role in colonial America. It was frequently exported from England to the American colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries. Slipware was appreciated for its affordable pricing and bright, colorful decorations that livened up colonial homes (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slipware). The brightly colored slipware designs were well-suited to colonial aesthetic tastes.

Slipware has made appearances in art and literature over the centuries. In the 17th century, slipware designs and motifs appeared in paintings by Dutch masters like Johannes Vermeer. The 19th century novel The Personal History of David Copperfield by Charles Dickens references slipware when describing the pottery in David Copperfield’s home. In modern times, slipware continues to influence pottery and art, with its bold colors, whimsical designs, and handcrafted imperfection treasured by artists and collectors.

Modern Slipware Artists

Despite its long history, slipware pottery continues to be made by modern studio potters. Many ceramic artists today work to preserve the slipware tradition while also adding their own contemporary interpretations and innovations.

Some of the most renowned modern slipware potters include Doug Fitch and Hannah McAndrew of Fitch & McAndrew Pottery in Scotland. As highlighted on their Behance page, Fitch & McAndrew – Slipware Potters, Fitch and McAndrew create slipware using traditional techniques like trailed slip decoration but with a distinctly modern aesthetic. Their works blend traditional motifs like flowers and animals with abstract patters in bold colors.

Other leading contemporary slipware artists include Phil Rogers in Wales, who is known for his radial slipware designs, and Merete Rasmussen of Denmark, who creates intricately detailed slipware often inspired by the natural world. These artists prove that slipware remains a vibrant and evolving craft today.

The Legacy and Significance of Slipware

Slipware has a rich legacy both as folk art and an important pottery tradition. Originating in the 16th century, slipware was originally made by rural potters in England and Germany as utilitarian pieces for everyday use. Over time it evolved into a distinctive decorative style featuring brightly colored slips and simple motifs like flowers, dots, stripes, and birds (The Pottery Wheel). Though slipware was created by common potters, it came to be appreciated as a unique art form.

As a handmade craft reflecting regional designs, slipware is considered a significant example of English folk art. Major public collections like the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Ashmolean Museum preservefine examples of early slipware for both their aesthetic and historical value (Encyclopaedia Britannica). These pieces provide insight into the lives and artistic traditions of rural potters through the centuries.

Slipware techniques also influenced generations of studio potters who adapted the method for more contemporary styles. Bernard Leach, Shoji Hamada, and Michael Cardew helped spur a revival of slipware in the 20th century by integrating slip decoration in studio pottery. Today it remains a popular technique among ceramic artists creating both functional ware and decorative pieces.

As an enduring pottery tradition, slipware is still practiced around the world. Contemporary slipware artists keep the legacy alive by creating new interpretations while preserving historical techniques and designs. Both museum pieces and new works continue to reflect the rich creative spirit of slipware pottery through the centuries.