If These Pots Could Talk

In her days every man shall eat in safety.
Archbishop Cranmer at the christening of the future Queen Elizabeth William Shakespeare, Henry VIII, 1613

Men and women in Elizabethan England also began to eat from more colorful and shapely pottery than ever before. Candle-sticks, moneyboxes, charcoal-fueled chafing dishes, condiment dishes, and even chamber pots all were made increasingly pleasing to the eye. These more delicately potted wares often featured brilliant green and yellow glazes, which subsequently became the dinner table colors of the Elizabethan Age.

4. Moneybox, green-glazed buff earthenware. Surrey, ca. 1560–1610.

5. Serving dish, green-glazed buff earthenware. Surrey, ca. 1559–1600.

6. Candle holder, lead-glazed buff earthenware. Surrey, ca. 1600–1650.

7. Dish, green-glazed buff earthenware. Surrey, ca. 1550–1600.

9. Chamber pot, lead-glazed buff earthenware. Surrey, ca. 1620–1670.

10. Porringer, lead-glazed buff earthenware. Surrey, ca. 1600–1670.