Type Name:

STONEWARE, BLACK BASALT

Category:

STONEWARE

Production Origin:

ENGLAND

Production Date Range:

1750-1820

Defining Attributes:

Thin, fine-grained black stoneware body, usually unglazed.

Vessels can be wheel thrown, slip cast or molded, and turned on a lathe.

Vessels are often decorated with die-stamped relieves of rococo floral, animal and human figures; sprig-molded designs, or geometric engine turning.

Vessel Forms:

CUP
SAUCER
TEA POT
VASE

Comments:

Black Basalt ware is a dry-bodied stoneware fired in an oxidizing atmosphere to produce a black fabric. It was originally used by Josiah Wedgwood for his famous Etruscan vases, and it continued later in use for such everyday items such as tea wares. Engine-turned designs date to after 1760. The black remained popular longer than the red Elers-Type stonewares, partially because it was fashionable to use it in times of mourning.

Published Definitions:

Noel Hume 1969, South 1977