Images(8)

Posset Pot

Dateca. 1740

OriginEngland, Crich or Nottingham

MediumSalt-glazed stoneware

DimensionsOH: 7"; OL: 11 5/8" (handle to handle); OW: 10 1/2" (including spout); W: 8" (depth of the body)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase, The Friends of Colonial Williamsburg Collections Fund

Object number2024-377

DescriptionPosset Pot: the short cylindrical foot with a beaded edge supports the bulbous thistle-shaped body with slightly flared and tooled rim and swelled lower portion delineated by a rouletted band at the waist. Applied to opposite sides of the body are two extruded and ribbed ear-shaped handles with pinched modified triangular kicks at the lower terminals. An angular slightly faceted and tapered spout is applied to the lower portion of the front of the body. The pot has a lustrous iron-rich brown glaze all over. The body is painted in blue (cobalt) and reddish-purple (manganese) on each side with a central flowered stem and radiating leafy flowers on the upper portion of the body and trailing vines on the lower swell; the spout is painted with four soft zig-zag or scalloped blue (cobalt) lines extending vertically down the facets.Label TextNottingham and Derbyshire stoneware with its rich, lustrous glaze has been found archaeologically throughout mid-18th century Virginia. Examples with painted decoration are rare with less than ten pieces currently identified.

Posset was a fortifying beverage of milk or cream curdled by the addition of wine or ale. Other additives included spices and sugar. The spout attached to the lower portion of the body of the vessel enabled imbibers to drink the liquid, and the curdled froth at the top would be spooned out.