Agateware Bowl

Agateware, developed in 18th-century England at potteries like those of Josiah Wedgwood, is a ceramic technique in which differently colored clays are marbled together to imitate the natural patterns of agate stone. Made by blending differently colored clays together, the combined clays are then sliced, twisted, or thrown, so the colors marble through the body before the piece is shaped and fired. In this way, the pattern runs through the material itself, rather than sitting on the surface like a decorative glaze. This red earthenware bowl, made in France around 1840, has an attractive molded rounded foot and a deep recessed base. A wide cream-colored band was applied to the side after molding, then black, white, and tan glazes were applied, creating a beautifully marbled agate decoration.

Year: c 1840

Material: Clay

Dimensions: Ø 6 x H 3 ¾ in