Late 16th century glazed ceramics from Coimbra (Portugal) Introduction The archaeological interventions performed during the latest rehabilitation of the Machado de Castro National Museum (Coimbra, Portugal) enabled the identification of a set of Modern Era materials (Silva, 2013). They were found at the
A
southern side of the building resulting from waste discharges of the old Episcopal Palace. These well stratified layers allowed an easy and reliable interpretation concluding that they represent four distinct phases of deposition (between the 15th and 16th centuries). Amongst these dumping layers we highlight the last one. It offered a well preserved and abundant variety of pottery portraying the palace’s table set in use after middle 16th century. In conjunction with the predominant occurrence of commonly used red ware there is a significant assortment of glazed pottery.
B
C
Glazed ceramics in Coimbra In the beginning of the 16th century, references to pottery glazed with green and yellowish lead-coatings start to appear in Portugal. Written documents, however, do not specify details of fabric composition nor its provenance. In turn, the archaeological record indicates that Portuguese production of a white fabric coated with green, yellow and honeycoloured lead-glaze begins in the transition from the 15th to the 16th centuries. This is eviD
denced by the archaeological remains associated to furnaces, which were found in Barreiro (near Lisbon) (Carmona e Santos, 2005; Barros et al., 2013). Concerning wares made in Coimbra, the first reference to glaze comes from the Regulation of Malegueiros (1) (Regimento dos Malegueiros), dated March 21st, 1556 (Carvalho, E
1921: 162-163, doc. II). This document and the ensuing Regulations, dating 1569 and
F
G
1571, (Carvalho, 1921: 20-22) were determined by the ware’s poor quality, since it would break very easily; a hazard attributed to the low quality of clay and to firing imperfections. The Regulations specify the composition of glazed pottery, identifying the primary clay deposits and the proportions used, thereby confirming their local production. Written documents mention the production of glazed pottery in Coimbra since mid-16th century. They distinguish the red clay pottery (glazed), to be used over the fire, from a white-fabric ware, preferably used for table service. This presentation only discusses this last fabric, functionally associated to food intake, composed of white or light beige “clays. Such fabric was fine but not very compact, containing calcareous inclusions typically deFig. 1 - Plates (pratos)
rived from the addition of marl. Fig. 2 - Bowls (tigelas). D - Carinated Bowls (escudelas); E - Saucer (especieiro)
While we wait for the results of chemical analysis, it can be noticed that some lead-glazes
The jugs or pitchers feature a ribbed neck and a handle (Fig. 3-A). Despite the ab-
were yellow, suggesting the presence of iron oxides in the glaze, or green, suggesting the
sence of the upper part of the rims it is assumed that they may have had a spout.
presence of copper.
The table service is complete with the group of small pots displaying two handles, an ovoid body and a footring (Fig. 3-B).
The collection
The large bowls or basins, for food preparation or hygiene, are one of the most
The 74 minimum number of vessels (MNV) identified during excavation came from the
characteristic groups made out from this fabric. The shape is an inverted trun-
last layer of the aforementioned deposit and represent 9% of its assemblage, deposited
A
between 1578 and 1592 (Silva, 2013). Functionally, there is a clear predominance of ta-
cated cone, having an overhanging rim, triangular in cross section (Fig. 4). They display a great variety of proportions and the diameter can range from 42 to 84
bleware for food such as plates (pratos - 23MNV), several types of bowls (tigelas -
cm. Some examples have decoration on the lip, made with rope impressions, and
26MNV) and a spice/sauce container (especieiro/salseiro). For liquids there are also ves-
others are combed in incised meanders at the upper part of the vessel’s interior.
sels like jugs or pitchers (bilhas - 4MNV) and pots with two handles (jarras - 9MNV). The
The recovery of two utensils for illumination is also noteworthy. They are high-
large bowls or basins (alguidares) are also present (9MNV), as well as utensils for illumi-
standing open chamber oil-lamps, having a handle at the base (Fig. 5).
nation, represented by two high-standing oil lamps (candeias de pé alto). The plates can be divided in two groups: decorated and undecorated (Fig. 1). Undeco-
The pottery-set here presented shows a formal repertoire common in household
rated plates are more common (15MNV) and display a concave base. The decorated
contexts. Probably, this fabric only had a major impact in Coimbra from the mid-
plates (8MNV) have a footring, showing incised or combed waves and fingernail im-
16th century onwards, being a complement to earlier table services. Although com-
prints.
mon, this and other coetaneous pottery productions are still poorly known. Some-
B
In contrast to the formal monotony of plates there is great variability in the shape of
times they are confused with distinct fabrics from the peninsular south. Therefore, this set embodies a reality that, up to now, had been abstract and only recognized
bowls. Furthermore, sometimes they show the peculiarity of having two colour glazes,
in written documents.
combining green and yellow or honey-colour. The most common shape (9MNV) has curved walls, everted rim and a footring (Fig. 2–C). A second variant (6MNV) comprises
(1) - Malegueiro was the name ascribed to the class of potters that would fire their pottery twice (pots were bisque
lower vessels with thicker walls and an overhanging rim (Fig. 2–A). Another shape
fired, glazed and fired again).
(4MNV) refers to sharply carinated bowls (escudelas) (Fig. 2–D). Adding to these, some
References:
types of bowls have curved walls, a thickened rim and a concave base or a footring (Fig.
BARROS, L., et al. (2013) – “A olaria renascentista de Santo António da Charneca – Barreiro”. In: Old and New Worlds.
2–B). Others can be bigger and have a brimmed rim (Fig. 2-G), or have horizontal multi-
Studies on Early Modern Archaeology, Lisboa: CHAM, pp. 699-710. CARMONA, R.; SANTOS, C. (2005) – Olaria da Mata da Machada, cerâmicas dos séculos XV-XVI, Câmara Municipal do
lobed handles (Fig. 2-F). Among the serving vessels, the small spice/sauce container stands out. The shape is carinated and has a footring (Fig. 2-E).
Barreiro.
Fig. 3 - A: jugs or pitchers (bilhas); B: pots (jarras ou potes)
CARVALHO, J. M. T. (1921) – A cerâmica coimbrã no século XVI, Imprensa da Universidade, Coimbra. SILVA, R. C. (2013) – “Primeira abordagem a um depósito moderno no Antigo Paço Episcopal de Coimbra (Museu Nacional de Machado de Castro): a cerâmica desde meados do século XV à consolidação da Renascença”. In: Old and New Worlds. Studies on Early Modern Archaeology, Lisboa: CHAM, pp.877-890.
Fig. 4 - Large bowls or basins (alguidares)
Ricardo Costeira da Silva Study Centre for Archaeology, Arts and Heritage Sciences (CEAACP) University of Coimbra, Portugal
[email protected]
Fig. 5 - Oil lamps (candeias de pé alto)
