Salt-glazed Stoneware in Early America

This is the first comprehensive book on salt-glazed stoneware in Early America. Imported from Germany and England and domestically made, salt-glazed stoneware vessels were an integral part of daily life in America from the time of European settlement until the dawn of the last century. Because it is impervious to the harmful effects of highly saline or acidic solutions, salt-glazed stoneware was uniquely well suited for use in preparing and storing a wide range of liquids and foodstuffs. Particularly in the first half of the seventeenth century, before the development of the British green glass bottle industry, stoneware was the only appropriate material for foods preserved by pickling or brining. Even after glass bottles became prevalent, stoneware's durability made it the material of choice for both domestic and tavern use. "Salt-glazed Stoneware in Early America" chronicles the traditions of stoneware imported from England and Germany as well as the often overlooked work of American potters during the eighteenth century. Drawing on archaeological and documentary sources, and featuring objects drawn from Colonial Williamsburg's holdings as well as from dozens of public and private collections, the book provides an invaluable overview of the goods found in early America. More than 300 photos present the wide range of early American stoneware. The book's broad scope makes Salt-glazed Stoneware in Early America an essential reference for archaeologists, curators, and collectors, and its accessible style will appeal to specialists and nonspecialists alike.