Fabric 40 - Oxfordshire parchment ware
Hard, sandy fabric with moderate inclusions of black and red flecks of <0.5mm. Can be distinguished from other Oxfordshire white wares (Fabric 38) as generally less hard fired and is much finer with less visible temper.
Usually white to off-white with a pink core, although can be pink or orange-pink throughout. This pinkness is more common in Parchment ware than other Oxfordshire white wares (Young 1977, 81).
Usually white to off-white with a pink core, although can be pink or orange-pink throughout. This pinkness is more common in Parchment ware than other Oxfordshire white wares (Young 1977, 81).
Manufacture
Wheel-thrown
Decoration
Distinctive smoothed surfaces with red-brown painted decoration, which can sometimes be fired to dark grey.
Upper Thames Valley region, OXFORDSHIRE
The majority of forms had a very small distribution area, confined mainly to areas immediate to the centre of production. However, two forms consisting of a wide-mouthed carinated bowl (Form P24; Young 1977, 87) and a small, necked jar with out-turned rim (Form P9; Young 1977, 86), were more widely marketed. These forms indicate a wide distribution area covering the lower Severn Valley, the Cotswolds, parts of South Wales and the Marches, the south-east along the Thames Valley and a general scattering across southern England and the Midlands. Dating evidence suggests that this distribution was maintained throughout the period of production (Young 1977, 82). Small amounts of this ware have been found in this region at New Police Station, Castle Street, Worcester (Griffin 2002, 124), in Droitwich (Rees 1992, 48) and at Alcester (Ferguson 2001a, 48; 2001b, 180).
5 related kilns
The majority of forms had a very small distribution area, confined mainly to areas immediate to the centre of production. However, two forms consisting of a wide-mouthed carinated bowl (Form P24; Young 1977, 87) and a small, necked jar with out-turned rim (Form P9; Young 1977, 86), were more widely marketed. These forms indicate a wide distribution area covering the lower Severn Valley, the Cotswolds, parts of South Wales and the Marches, the south-east along the Thames Valley and a general scattering across southern England and the Midlands. Dating evidence suggests that this distribution was maintained throughout the period of production (Young 1977, 82). Small amounts of this ware have been found in this region at New Police Station, Castle Street, Worcester (Griffin 2002, 124), in Droitwich (Rees 1992, 48) and at Alcester (Ferguson 2001a, 48; 2001b, 180).
5 related kilns
Roman (3rd to 4th century)
Forms indicate a date range of c.AD 240-400+ (Young 1977, 92, table 8).
Forms indicate a date range of c.AD 240-400+ (Young 1977, 92, table 8).
Hardness
Hard
Feel
Smooth
Fracture
Smooth
Surface treatment
Smoothed and red-brown paint
Core colour
Pink
Int surface colour
Off-white
Ext surface colour
Off-white
| DB ID | Modified | Description | Frequency | Size | Sorting | Rounding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 186 | 0 | Black and red flecks | Moderate | Fine |