Medieval pottery jug rim and handle, 12th or 13th century.

Social History (Museum of St Albans)

Medieval pottery jug rim and handle. This jug was made locally during the 12th/13th centuries. These jugs often had handles decorated with slashed, stabbed and thumb-pressed patterns like this one. The handle was the thickest part of the pot, and the thumbing and stabbing made have been intended to help that part dry out more efficiently before firing. If any part of the clay still contains water when a pot is put into the kiln, it is liable to explode as the water turns to steam. It may also have made the handle easier to grip. The different patterns seem to be associated with different kiln sites.

PX4866.tif

Digital Camera

[not applicable].

25/06/2007