In yesterday's digest, I asked:
 
>Among the creamware sherds, we have found several sherds without glaze.
>They look, superficially, like bisque. The "bisque" sherds bear several
>different decorative patterns, and we apparently have no whole vessels in
>the "bisque." We don't have any records of creamware potters near the site.
>So I'm concluding that we have creamware from which the glaze has been
>stripped.
 
Tim Scarlett replied:
 
>What is the condition of the sherds?  Are the surfaces smooth? Do they
>have little crackling marks where the glaze may have been before removal?
>I find it hard to imagine glaze being ground or flaked off without leaving
>tool marks!  Also what is the time period of the site and assemblage?
>Late nineteenth and early 20th century assemblages could contain
>"blanks" that companies sent out to people, particularly women, for
>hand painting that would be returned to the company to be fired.  Rather
>late for creamware though.  More info needed...
 
I'll try to answer these questions:
 
The site dates 1768-1806, and the fine English ceramics are about half and
half pearlware and creamware. The sherds in question resemble bisque in
that they are smooth and unmarked, just like the documented bisque pieces
in my collection from refined earthenware potteries. There are no signs of
chipping, grinding, or crazing that would indicate mechanical removal of
glaze. They just look like bisque.
 
 
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