An Early 19th-Century Antique Donyatt Pottery Slipware Pot Dated 1813, Made in Somerset, England - Ex-Sampson & Horne

This is a fantastic example of early 19th-century Donyatt Slipware from Somerset, England. This type of vernacular pottery is highly prized for its charming, robust nature and historical inscriptions.

This is a small, two-handled, globular earthenware pot, typical of the utilitarian, country-style ceramics produced at the Donyatt potteries in Somerset.

Form: It has a broad, rounded body tapering towards a slightly everted rim. Two small, simple ear-like handles are applied just below the rim.

Glaze and Colour: The pot is made from the local terracotta-coloured clay body of Donyatt, which is then covered in a pale, creamy yellow or "custard" slip (a mixture of clay and water) and finished with a clear, transparent lead glaze. This glaze often includes flecks of copper oxide, which appear as the characteristic mottled green spots visible across the surface. The overall appearance is a warm, crackled yellow-ochre ground with hints of green and the terracotta body showing through the wear.

Decoration: The decoration is applied using the sgraffito technique (from the Italian for "scratched"). The potter scratched through the pale slip layer to reveal the darker, red-orange clay body beneath.

The main body bears an inscription including, "A little pot 1813," confirming its date to the Regency era (19th century).

Stylized, rustic foliate or scroll motifs in a reddish-brown colour frame the inscription.

Simple, cross-like incised markings appear below the main inscription, adding to the folk-art aesthetic.

Provenance - The pot bears a label to its base - Ex Sampson & Horne - Samson and Horne was a London ceramics business formed by Alistair Sampson (1929-2006) and Jonathan Horne (1940-2010), who were leading English pottery specialists who worked together after both had long careers as dealers in antiques and ceramics. The business began in the year of Alistair Sampson's death in 2006 when Horne merged both businesses. The business focused on English antique ceramics in delftware, slipware and creamware. Sampson started trading in antiques in 1968, opening his first shop in London on Brompton Road, while Horne began his career in 1968 from Portobello Road markets and later opened his own shop in 1976. 

The "Sampson and Horne Collection" consisted of early English and vernacular ceramics, which were sold at auction by Bonhams in 2010. This example was sold by Bonhams during the sale and acquired by a private collector. This was subsequently acquired into the private collection of the proprietor of Holt Antiques who has now decided to sell.

Condition: The pot exhibits the wear expected of a utilitarian object over two centuries old. The surface shows a distinct crazing (fine lines in the glaze) and significant loss of the glaze and slip, particularly towards the base, where the red-orange body is exposed. This wear attests to its use in a domestic setting.

Size:

The pot is a classic example of Donyatt slipware, valued for its direct date, personal inscription, and traditional country style.

A Potted History of Donyatt Pottery:

The Donyatt potteries, located in the village of Donyatt in Somerset, stand as one of the longest-running, continuous traditions of vernacular pottery production in the South West of England.

Origins and Longevity:

Deep Roots: Archaeological evidence suggests that pottery production in the Donyatt area began as early as the 11th or 12th century (Late Medieval period).

Flourishing Post-Medieval Industry: The industry boomed in the Post-Medieval period, with activity continuing strongly from the 17th century well into the 20th century (with the final kiln closing in 1939). At its peak in the mid-19th century, numerous families operated concurrent kilns in the area, particularly along what became known as Crock Street.

Style and Technique: 

Donyatt potters specialized in a distinct type of earthenware known as slipware.

Clay Body: They used a locally-dug, sandy clay that fired to a red-orange (terracotta) colour.

Slip Coating: Wares were typically coated in a thin layer of white or pale yellow 'slip' (liquid clay) to create a lighter, contrasting background.

Glaze: A clear lead glaze was applied, which, over the red-orange body and pale slip, resulted in the distinctive, warm "custard" yellow/honey finish. Crucially, the potters often added specks of copper oxide to the glaze, creating the characteristic mottled green flecks unique to Donyatt wares.

Decoration: The most common decorative technique was sgraffito. The potter would scratch designs, motifs, inscriptions, and dates through the pale slip to reveal the darker clay body beneath. Popular motifs included stylized tulip-like flowers, foliate scrolls, naïve birds (often described as 'cockerels' or 'hens'), and drinking-related texts.

Wares and Distribution:

Utilitarian Focus: The majority of Donyatt's output was practical, every-day domestic ware for the local community and surrounding market towns (like Taunton). Production included cooking pots, basins, bowls, jugs, money boxes, and larger vessels like cisterns for storing beer or cider.

The Puzzle Jug: Donyatt is particularly famous for its elaborate puzzle jugs, which feature pierced necks and trick spouts designed to challenge the drinker. These were made for social functions and alehouses, reflecting the area's cider-making culture.

Wide Reach: Despite being a rural industry, Donyatt's favourable location and proximity to ports like Bristol, Exeter, and Plymouth allowed its wares to be distributed far wider than many other small country potteries. Examples have even been excavated from sites in the colonial Chesapeake region of the Americas, demonstrating a significant early export market.