Verwood kilns

As in many other parts of the country, kilns were set up in and around Verwood in east Dorset from medieval times. These local kilns peaked around the middle of the 18th century but with the increase in finer wares being produced in Staffordshire and better transport many died out around the country by the end of the 19th century.

The Verwood area was a little different in that at the beginning of the 20th century there were still 7 kilns in operation and the last one at Cross Roads continued to produce earthenware pots until 1952.

Below is a bread bin probably from the Cross Roads Pottery: -

The bin above is around 16.5 inches( 42.0 cm) in diameter and is 10.0 inches (25.4 cm) high. It would have been wheel thrown (they knew how to throw) and the vast majority were made without lids.

Although round domed lids were made for some of the bins during the 20th century most would have had wooden lids laid flat on the top or just covered with cloth.

Below is a closer image of the internal glaze, which is typical of Verwood production.



This bin came to me from Alan Wallwork's collection (and if you read this Alan you did get paid!).

Is it a honey coloured glaze, speckled with brown spots, on s buff clay, that's typical of Verwood?

Yes, except the clay has an underlying red.............. so get hunting there must be loads of pieces down your way. They did make smaller pieces, although not too small, so you might have problems hiding them around the house.

A jug around 13.5 inches (34 cm) tall.

I would like to know more about identifying Verwood pots , there are some I would know but I hate to think I  am passing some by , what traits to look out for ? I am aware of the Pills or owl and some jug forms but not much else .

The glazing on the jug above is fairly typical i.e. the colour of the glaze and the fact that much of the exterior was left unglazed.

The was a book that came out over 10 years ago called "Dorset Country Pottery: The Kilns of the Verwood District" that can still be found and that has good illustrations and tells you the types of things that were made.

Thanks for the info John

Pair of hand painted, over painted, Verwood costrel owls. Painting dated 1896.

An interesting film about the Verwood potteries, especially the old footage at the end.