Session: #631

Content:

The creation of fired clay pottery vessels was a vital and widespread process across medieval and post-medieval Europe and many different distinctive styles were produced. This session aims to discuss and consider the various methods of pottery production that were in use. It will look into how the different types of kiln in use come into being. Is it possible to identify external influences and if so, where are they coming from. It can be argued that it was Roman influence that introduced technology such as the use of updraught kilns in the firing process. But in those parts of Northern Europe where there was little, or no such influence are we looking at a much later development with an unknown place of origin.
Did the making of specific wares like stoneware spread from a single production centre or was it invented individually across Europe? Is it possible to identify the transfer of techniques, for example the transfer of tin-glaze technology from the Mediterranean to the Netherlands, England and southern Germany , and understand the causes of that process? Are similar things happening elsewhere in Europe? In Northern Europe it would appear that the wheel-throwing of pottery was introduced in the 12th Century primarily by German potters who brought that technique with them. Is it possible to identify when local potters adopted that technique and if so where in particular.
The organisers would welcome papers that highlight ceramic craft, transfer of technology and innovation from both a macro and micro perspective from across medieval and post-medieval Europe. The main point of interest for this session is whether it was the movement of people or the transfer of ideas and technology that changed pottery production practices throughout Europe.

Session: #631

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