Rhineland

Salt glaze is an exclusively European tradition and developed in the Rhineland of Germany. It is not clear how the process of salt glazing emerged. One theory is that it was discovered during the 14th century by potters stoking their kilns with boards from barrels that had previously been used to transport salted herring. Early on, earthenware slips were used to produce pots with a rich chestnut hue. Later, a cobalt blue wash was applied to the grey body. This tradition continues to this day in Hohr Grenzhausen, Germany.

 

Staffordshire

During the 17th century a more refined white salt glazed ware was developed in Staffordshire in England. During the 18th and 19th centuries a rich brown salt glaze was produced and much utilitarian ware was glazed in this way. During the early part of the 20th century salt glaze was used to create highly decorative pieces. However, by the middle of the last century its use in Britain was confined to the production of sanitary ware, chimney pots and sinks.

 

La Borne

Salt glaze pots were made in France from the mid 18th century and continue to be made in La Borne. The traditional production potteries no longer exist, but a strong community of individual potters is still working there.

 

North Carolina

The knowledge of salt glaze was taken to North America in 1700s and vast amounts of salt glazed pots were made throughout the North East of the United States between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Today, the tradition continues in North Carolina. Interest in salt glaze was encouraged in Alfred University in the 1950s and there are many studio potters exploring this medium across the US today. Britain The use of salt glaze in British studio ceramics began tentatively with the work of the Martin Brothers in London. Bernard Leach and Hamada experimented with salt glaze. However it was really the pioneering work of Denise and Henry Wren that became the basis of the experimentation with salt glaze that took place in the early 70s at Harrow School of Art. I was lucky enough to be on the Studio Pottery Course at Harrow during this intensely creative period.