Statement Mudlarked Westerwald Pendant

Historical Information
Type: Westerwald
Fabric: Stoneware
Date: 18th Century
Find Location: Essex, UK
Extra information:
The craft of pottery-making for local use in the Westerwald region, situated to the east of the Rhine River, dates back to the 14th century. It saw a significant boom when potters from Raeren and Siegburg moved to Höhr, Grenzau, and Grenzhausen in the late 16th century. This relocation not only provided them with ample clay and wood but also respite from the political and military turmoil they faced. The 17th and 18th centuries marked a golden era for Westerwald stoneware, with a surge in potter numbers leading to innovative shapes and decorative styles that became hallmarks of the region. Vessels bearing the crowned initials of English royalty were especially popular in British markets during this period. Westerwald stoneware found its way along the Rhine into the Low Countries and was then distributed by Dutch traders to the British Isles and further afield. Some pieces found at Jamestown were originally transported from England by affluent colonists, while others may have come directly from Dutch merchants.