100 Objects 24: Handle from flagon

Another find from Bodley, reported by Kate Cox, is this jar handle probably from a cider flagon. Kate visualised a bleary old boy swigging at his cider in the sunshine and notes indentations that might be the potters finger prints. Like object 16 this is a stoneware vessel. Stonewares were made in Britain from the early 17th century and in the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries were commonly used for liquids, often alcohol and ginger beer. Stonewares are fired to high temperatures, up to 1400 centigrade, which vitrifies the clay and makes them watertight and so much better suited to the job than the typical North Devon pottery. This was fired at a lower temperature and very porous unless coated with a high quality glaze. Stone wares were manufactured across the UK including Bristol. Often, if you find the right fragment of the pot, there is a manufacturer’s stamp and/ or the name of the trader stamped or transferred on to the body of the pot.