Pots with Stories
26th Oct – 15th Dec 2020:
Do You Have a Pot with a Story?
The oh-so-humble pot has contributed so much to our knowledge of the past. Throughout the ages, pots have been used for cooking, serving and storage. Plain and serviceable or highly decorated objects of beauty, they tell us so much about cultures and societies that have gone before. Not so humble after all!
So, to tie in with our exhibition, and in celebration of this modest but important artefact, we would love you to tell us your stories of your own personal favourite pot! Do you still have the pot in which your grandmother cooked your favourite meal or a pot in which you keep something that’s very precious to you?
Just email a photo of your pot and explain why it’s special to you (max 100 words) to: [email protected]. You can include your name to run alongside it or remain anonymous if you prefer.
The pots and their stories, along with a selection from the museum, will form an exhibition on social media #potswithstories.
And if you don’t have a pot and story of your own, you can still take part in the exhibition by visiting the exhibition on Facebook, Instagram or twitter and liking and commenting on your favourite images. It’ll be pots of fun!
Chai Cups
When I visited India with my parents in the early 1980s, we drank tea out of simple handmade unglazed clay cups at every railway station. Everybody threw the cups onto the railway lines where they smashed into smithereens. In 2017, the railway lines were littered with non-biodegradable plastic cups. Our guide had to do a lot of searching to help me obtain these two traditional ‘chai’ cups which he found in Varanasi. Luckily, they survived 30 days of travel as we went from northern India to Kerala but I brought them home safely.
French Quimper Pottery
This is my favourite piece of pottery. My French Nana Ledeux used to have it displayed in her Victrine de Salon and as a child I loved it. It is French Quimper pottery made I think in Brittany. It was passed on to my mother who also gave it pride of place in her house. I feel very lucky to be the current custodian. Submitted by Val, MED Volunteer
Green Glazed Owl
The green glazed owl by Dorset artist, Adrian Lewis Evans, is my favourite pot. Although I have perfect examples of his work this one had a broken lug. When I met the man himself some years ago and mentioned it, he offered to repair it for me. Such a kind, talented and knowledgable gentleman, the imperfection and association makes it the treasure of my collection.
Orange Vase
1971 – a wedding present for my mum and dad. For as long as I can remember this has been in my bedroom and I think it is what sparked my passion for all things retro. I love this orange, glass, 70’s, cherished masterpiece!
Peru Pot
Artisan pot from Chulucanas in the Peruvian desert using pre-Hispanic technology developed around 400 BC. We visited Peru in 1989, before the trains and hotels arrived to change the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. I love the shape of this pot, created with wooden paddles and stones, no turntable. The potter applied minerals and herbs to create the pattern, exposing the pot to smoke which caused the dark areas. Sadly, much of the pattern has faded. Penny Copland-Griffiths explained that this is all part of the ‘life’ of the pot so I should not try to get it restored.
Tricorn vase
This ceramic vase was made by Fred Fry in the early 1900s. He introduced a huge variety of “fancies” at the Cross Roads Pottery in Verwood. It is believed that the vases were sent to art colleges in London to be hand-painted by students.
Puzzle Jug
This interesting looking jug is one of the earliest puzzle jugs made in England, dating from 1606. Particularly popular in the 18thand 19th centuries, these jugs challenged the drinker to take a sip without spilling due to all of the holes in the neck! The solution to the puzzle is that the jug has a hidden tube that ends at the spout which is where the drinker needs to drink from. This tube runs around the handle and rim and sometimes has extra holes in the inner tube which need to be closed off before you can take a drink!
Rustic Jug + Radio Times
The photo was in Radio Times edition 2-8 November 2019 . The article features MasterChef professionals Monica Galetti and Marcus Wareing creating fresh pasta. A gentleman came to the Verwood Heathland Heritage Centre and drew our attention to the article as he suspected that the rustic jug was from the Crossroads pottery which closed here in Verwood in 1952.This led to further investigation. We sought verification from Dan Carter at Bournemouth University. He confirmed the shape and firing marks were definitely consistent with Verwood Pottery. We then contacted the BBC who did not know how the pot arrived in their props department , but were kind enough to supply photos for the Heritage Centre to add to their archive. It may be a humble kitchen jug, one of many made, sold and used from Verwood potteries but it has had adventures far from home!
Verwood Sunday School Cup
This little cup was found by Pat K, an Irish businessman who bought an old chemist shop in Rugby in 2015. When he opened up the attic, the cup was found amongst children’s books and comics from 60 years ago. He took it back to Southern Ireland and began to research its origins. Using the internet he found Verwood United Reformed Church ( formerly Congregational) and after communications with Archivist Linda Munn, he kindly offered to ‘ send the cup home ‘. What an adventure this little cup has had! If only it could talk and explain the steps taken along its journey. We received this in 2015 which, as you can see from dates, was the bi- centenary of the Sunday School! What a coincidence.
Blue Flowered Jug
This jug takes me right back to my childhood! My granny used to make a vile concoction in it to “keep us healthy”. I have no idea what her recipe was but the overriding taste was lemon and onions. It was dark brown and she used to make all of us children line up and have a sherry glass of it daily! Submitted by Anne, Co Durham
Majolica Pot
This stick stand belonged to my Grandparents it passed down to me by my mother Regards Pat Eggelton