The Diceware jug by Wedgwood demonstrates mastery in ceramic technique. The jug was first washed in cobalt blue, then turned and carved to create the checkered pattern then an iron slip brushed crosses. Leaving the spring and handle attachment for last.

How did that work?

Sprig molds were separate and versatile one part open-face molds that produced low relief images added to the surface of the vessels while still wet. Most of the jugs in this collection are examples of relief sprigging technique.

A jigger-jolly was a new tool and labor-saving process. After steam-powered technology was perfected in the 1840’s, the jigger-jolly was adopted to run by steam which further lowered costs. Engine turning, a method of carving a geometric design into the surface of clay worked similarly. Potters mourned in work songs that the new machine took away their jobs.

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