Prattware and Pearlware

Prattware

The term Prattware is derived from the name of the inventor of the technique thought to be Felix Pratt. The light earthenware body is decorated in a palette of oxide colors comprising, cobalt blue, yellow ochre, manganese, brown, and a dark mossy green. These colors are applied under a pearlware glaze. Numerous potteries produced this type of wares. Many examples are made with relief moulded decoration. The production period spanned 1780- 1840 from potteries located in Staffordshire, Yorkshire South Wales, Scotland and the North East of England.

Reference Book

• Pratt Ware ( English and Scottish relief decorated and underglaze colored Earthenware 1780-1840) by John and Griselda Lewis.

Pearlware

The traditional view is that Josiah Wedgwood the genius potter invented and developed pearlware. Wedgewood named his ware “Pearl White” which was a white body with a glaze which incorporated cobalt which gave a blue cast glaze. The period of production commenced in the early 1780s and was in use for the first quarter of the 19th century. The production was mainly tableware, and large quantities were made for the North American market.