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STONEWARE, BLACK BASALT front view
Type Name: STONEWARE, BLACK BASALT
Type Index: STONEWARE
Production Origin: ENGLAND
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

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