Charger

The bold names and dates incorporated into the pottery's decoration promote a position of status for both the patron who could afford such objects and the potter who wished to market his wares. Some of the most elaborately executed slipware pieces are associated with members of the Toft family, such as this charger by Ralph Toft. Here, a mermaid with long, flowing hair and coiled fishtail holds her attributes, a comb and mirror. Mermaids, a popular motif during this period, are often related to the sirens of Greek mythology whose enchanting songs lured sailors to shipwreck.

Slip is the term for a mixture of clay and water. Slip of a thin consistency can be painted on with a brush to add two-dimensional decoration, while a thick slip can be applied to add three-dimensional embellishment. These large dishes, called chargers, were decorated with multi-colored slips, covered with a transparent lead glaze and then fired. Slipware was either potted on a wheel or press molded by pressing clay into or onto a mold. Although many slipware pieces were functional, works such as those displayed here were designed to hang on the wall as decorative objects.