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Date: | Sun, 28 Nov 1999 16:45:22 -0500 |
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In a message dated 11/28/1999 4:20:02 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
<< Question: I'm looking for information concerning ca.1770-1850 vessel
sizes and rim/foot ring measurements. I believe the use of rim/foot ring
diameters may be of use for arriving at Min. Vessel counts for a
historic site collection in my care. >>
Dan-- I have been doing vesselization for years and I have learned a few
lessons along the way. The first time I ever did it we measured rim arcs and
applied the data very simplistically--ten inches of 10 inch diameter rim
sherds equaled a vessel. Hopefuly you have something more sophisticated in
mind. Yes, we arrived at a "minimum", but it was in no way representative of
the collection. This type of problem throws a lot of vessel based comparison
schemes into question.
More recently I did an intensive study of a collection from Charleston SC
(not yet reported but there are some photos on my web site
http://encore-net.com/Diachronic). I found that looking very closely at
miniscule variations in rim form, base rings, glazes, mold marks, trivet
marks and decoration--usually holding several variables up for comparison
(for instance, green shell edge with short even marks on a 10" plate vs.
green shell edge with longer, curved marks, etc.). I found that even in a
collection of plain whiteware this is do-able. It just takes awhile.
Of course, in Alaska with winter coming on this might be just the thing to
fill those long winter nights.
Good luck... Carl Steen
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