PASS THE POSSET POT

Joke jugs, motto plates and communal cups - English delftware pottery provides a fascinating glimpse into the way we used to dine

- ELLIE TENNANT

Inspired by Dutch tin-glazed earthenware first made in the town of Delft in Holland, English delftware first emerged in the 1620s in London workshops such as the gloriously named Pickleherring Pottery and was manufactured in Liverpool and Bristol potteries, too. 'Delftware first became of interest when William and Mary came to the throne in 1689 and brought a certain amount of Dutch pottery over with them,' says Garry Atkins, antiques dealer and pottery expert. 'People copied what the king and queen liked. Delftware doesn't have quite the same appeal as porcelain, which was grander stuff, but I just love it. It's very simple and so appealing - not over-elaborate.

The Dutch copied Chinese porcelain patterns, but the English potters did their own thing.' Up until this point, most people in England were using pewter or wooden plates. The very wealthy used silver, of course, but English delftware was embraced by the middle classes,' explains John Howard, antique English pottery specialist. The unique appeal of English delftware is difficult to pin-point, though many agree it has a fluid, free style whereas Dutch Delftware tends to be a bit more formal. 'English delftware has a strong country naivety to it that the Dutch pieces lack,' explains John.

The new manufacturing technique gave a white, smooth surface to buff-coloured earthenware clay, but it was tricky to fire. English delftware was never cheap, because less than half of the pieces that were fired could be sold at full price,' reveals John. Fragility was another issue - the actual body was strong, but the glaze was liable to chip and craze, so it wasn't suitable for serving very hot liquids. The pattern was hand-painted in a limited colour palette of mineral pigments that were high-fired: blue, yellow, orange, purple, green and red. 'Both Dutch and English potters used oxide colours, but there are subtle differences,' says John. For example, the cobalt isn't quite as hard in English pieces.'