Internet Archaeol. 16. Longworth Production Centres: Europe and Britain

7. Production Centres: Europe and Britain

British slipware, both sgraffito and trailed, was influenced by European production centres. In the 15th century sgraffito wares made in the Netherlands and Beauvais were widely exported and from the 1550s, slipwares dominated the market (Barker 1993, 8). By the late 16th and early 17th centuries, sgraffito wares were made in England, in Somerset and north Devon (ibid, 10). At the same time, 'Metropolitan slipware' production began in Essex from c. 1615.

By the early 17th century, three main areas of production had been established in England, Somerset and north Devon with sgraffito decoration and Essex with slip-trailed designs (ibid, 11). After this, slipware production began in many areas of Britain, including Buckley. A study of the wares from the production centres of Europe and Britain provides an indication of the spread of influences from one place to another.