What is Fulham salt-glazed stoneware?

Fulham salt-glazed stoneware refers to high-fired pottery produced in Fulham, London, established by John Dwight in the 1670s. The process involves throwing salt into the kiln at high temperatures, creating a chemical reaction that leaves a textured, impervious glaze on the ceramic surface.

How was seventeenth-century salt-glazed stoneware made?

Potters turned dense clay on a wheel to form utilitarian shapes such as bottles, jugs, and flagons. Common salt was added to the kiln fire during the final stages of firing, causing sodium to react with silica in the clay to form a durable sodium silicate glaze.

How do you identify authentic seventeenth-century Fulham pottery?

Authentic pieces from this era typically exhibit a distinctive pitted orange-peel surface texture, heavy potting, and a glossy brown or grey tone. They frequently feature bulbous bodies, sturdy loop handles, and turned foot rings standard to Restoration period tavern and domestic wares.

How do you style an antique stoneware bottle in a modern interior?

A historical stoneware bottle can be displayed as a singular focal object on a sideboard, placed within a curated collection on open shelving, or arranged alongside complementary natural textures such as timber and wrought iron.

How should historical salt-glazed stoneware be cleaned and preserved?

Stoneware should be dusted gently with a soft dry cloth. Avoid immersion in water or the use of harsh chemical detergents, as these can degrade old repairs or affect the integrity of the surface.

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John Dwight Fulham Pottery Stoneware Bottle, Fulham, London, C.1677–1685

Name: John Dwight Fulham Pottery Stoneware Bottle, Fulham, London, C.1677–1685
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1236652
Price: 895 GBP
Availability: InStock

17th century

For Sale by Oliver Sargent Antiques

Description

John Dwight Fulham Pottery Stoneware Bottle, Fulham, London, c.1677–1685

John Dwight of Fulham Pottery, London

English stoneware bottle / jug / flagon

Circa 1677–1685

Height: 24 cm

Maximum belly diameter: approx. 12.5 cm

Price: £895, including UK postage

A fine and apparently rare early English stoneware bottle attributed to John Dwight's Fulham Pottery, Fulham, London, dating to approximately 1677–1685.

This substantial early piece is a particularly interesting example of 17th-century English stoneware, associated with the pioneering pottery established by John Dwight at Fulham. The bottle is well potted and has a pleasing fine glaze, with restrained decorative detailing including simple incised grooves around the lip and base and a carefully applied handle and handle tail.

John Dwight (c.1634–1703) is an important figure in the history of English pottery and is closely associated with the development of English stoneware at Fulham Pottery in London during the late 17th century. Early Fulham stoneware vessels from this period are of considerable interest to collectors of 17th-century English pottery, early English stoneware and historic British ceramics.

A closely comparable example is held in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, England, and an image of the museum example is included for comparison.

Dating and attribution

The bottle is considered to date from approximately 1677–1685, during the early period of John Dwight's Fulham pottery production. An old label attached to the base describes the piece as Elizabethan, although this appears to be an earlier attribution and is not consistent with the proposed late-17th-century dating.

The attribution and dating are offered on the basis of the form, construction, decoration and comparison with published and museum examples.

Condition

Good overall condition for its age.

There are two small areas of chipping to the foot, as shown in the photographs. Otherwise, the bottle appears to be free from significant damage or restoration. The piece retains its original character and attractive aged surface.

Please study the photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description.

Provenance / References

The piece bears an old collector's label to the base, referring to an earlier Elizabethan attribution.

Literature:

Chris Green, John Dwight's Fulham Pottery, p.119, figs. 200 and 201.

Dimensions

• Height: 24 cm

• Maximum belly diameter: approximately 12.5 cm

Price and delivery

£895.00

Price includes shipping within the UK.

An interesting opportunity to acquire an early example of John Dwight Fulham stoneware, suitable for collectors of 17th-century English pottery, English stoneware, Fulham Pottery, John Dwight ceramics and early British ceramic history.

You can find more items of interest and purchase through our website, using all major credit cards:

please visit: www.oliversargentantiques.com

Date of Manufacture

Oliver Sargent Antiques has dated this 17th Century Stoneware Bottle to the 17th Century.

Independent Date Check ID 09656564

Dealer's Item Date17th Century

Sellingantiques Date17th Century

Sellingantiques agingItem 325-430 years old

Test ResultsPassed dating check

Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 17TH CENTURY:

Concentric wire marks across the underside: base sliced free from the potter's wheel.

Mottled brown salt glaze with orange-peel texture: high-temperature kiln firing.

Grooved rings incised around the neck and foot: standard 17th-century profile.

Strap handle with an applied lower terminal: period hand-building method.

Wear and minor chipping along the foot rim: centuries of domestic use.

This is an independent date and photo anotation report compiled by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1236652

Dealers Internal Reference

OSA1621

Description

John Dwight Fulham Pottery Stoneware Bottle, Fulham, London, c.1677–1685

John Dwight of Fulham Pottery, London

English stoneware bottle / jug / flagon

Circa 1677–1685

Height: 24 cm

Maximum belly diameter: approx. 12.5 cm

fig 1. A 17th-century dark brown salt-glazed stoneware bottle featuring a bulbous body, narrow neck, turned base, and a single loop handle. — fig 1. John Dwight Fulham Pottery Stoneware Bottle, Fulham, London, C.1677–1685

Price: £895, including UK postage

“

A fine and apparently rare early English stoneware bottle attributed to John Dwight's Fulham Pottery, Fulham, London, dating to approximately 1677–1685.

Oliver Sargent Antiques

This substantial early piece is a particularly interesting example of 17th-century English stoneware, associated with the pioneering pottery established by John Dwight at Fulham. The bottle is well potted and has a pleasing fine glaze, with restrained decorative detailing including simple incised grooves around the lip and base and a carefully applied handle and handle tail.

fig 2. A 17th-century dark brown salt-glazed stoneware bottle featuring a bulbous body, narrow neck, turned base, and a single loop handle. — fig 2. John Dwight Fulham Pottery Stoneware Bottle, Fulham, London, C.1677–1685

John Dwight (c.1634–1703) is an important figure in the history of English pottery and is closely associated with the development of English stoneware at Fulham Pottery in London during the late 17th century. Early Fulham stoneware vessels from this period are of considerable interest to collectors of 17th-century English pottery, early English stoneware and historic British ceramics.

fig 3. A 17th-century dark brown salt-glazed stoneware bottle featuring a bulbous body, narrow neck, turned base, and a single loop handle. — fig 3. John Dwight Fulham Pottery Stoneware Bottle, Fulham, London, C.1677–1685

A closely comparable example is held in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, England, and an image of the museum example is included for comparison.

Dating and attribution

The bottle is considered to date from approximately 1677–1685, during the early period of John Dwight's Fulham pottery production. An old label attached to the base describes the piece as Elizabethan, although this appears to be an earlier attribution and is not consistent with the proposed late-17th-century dating.

fig 4. A 17th-century dark brown salt-glazed stoneware bottle featuring a bulbous body, narrow neck, turned base, and a single loop handle. — fig 4. John Dwight Fulham Pottery Stoneware Bottle, Fulham, London, C.1677–1685

The attribution and dating are offered on the basis of the form, construction, decoration and comparison with published and museum examples.

Condition

Good overall condition for its age.

There are two small areas of chipping to the foot, as shown in the photographs. Otherwise, the bottle appears to be free from significant damage or restoration. The piece retains its original character and attractive aged surface.

fig 5. A 17th-century dark brown salt-glazed stoneware bottle featuring a bulbous body, narrow neck, turned base, and a single loop handle. — fig 5. John Dwight Fulham Pottery Stoneware Bottle, Fulham, London, C.1677–1685

Please study the photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description.

Provenance / References

The piece bears an old collector's label to the base, referring to an earlier Elizabethan attribution.

fig 6. A 17th-century dark brown salt-glazed stoneware bottle featuring a bulbous body, narrow neck, turned base, and a single loop handle. — fig 6. John Dwight Fulham Pottery Stoneware Bottle, Fulham, London, C.1677–1685

Literature:

Chris Green, John Dwight's Fulham Pottery, p.119, figs. 200 and 201.

Dimensions

• Height: 24 cm

• Maximum belly diameter: approximately 12.5 cm

Price and delivery

£895.00

Price includes shipping within the UK.

fig 7. A 17th-century dark brown salt-glazed stoneware bottle featuring a bulbous body, narrow neck, turned base, and a single loop handle. — fig 7. John Dwight Fulham Pottery Stoneware Bottle, Fulham, London, C.1677–1685

An interesting opportunity to acquire an early example of John Dwight Fulham stoneware, suitable for collectors of 17th-century English pottery, English stoneware, Fulham Pottery, John Dwight ceramics and early British ceramic history.

You can find more items of interest and purchase through our website, using all major credit cards:

please visit: www.oliversargentantiques.com

Date of Manufacture

Oliver Sargent Antiques has dated this 17th Century Stoneware Bottle to the 17th Century.

Independent Date Report ID 09656564

Dealer's Item Date17th Century

Sellingantiques dating17th Century

Sellingantiques agingItem 325-430 years old

Test ResultsPassed dating check

Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the 17th Century:

Concentric wire marks across the underside: base sliced free from the potter's wheel.

Mottled brown salt glaze with orange-peel texture: high-temperature kiln firing.

Grooved rings incised around the neck and foot: standard 17th-century profile.

Strap handle with an applied lower terminal: period hand-building method.

Wear and minor chipping along the foot rim: centuries of domestic use.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1236652

Dealers Internal Ref

OSA1621

About the Dealer

Oliver Sargent Antiques

Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2013

Specialists in vintage military watches & clocks and antique oriental ceramics & works of art

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Oliver Sargent Antiques Profile Page

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