What is a tin glazed earthenware pot?

A tin glazed earthenware pot is a ceramic vessel coated in an opaque white glaze formulated with tin oxide, decorated with pigments, and fired. These pots served various domestic and apothecary functions across the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. Examples include drug jars, coffee pots, posset pots, and garden urns made in English, Dutch, and Italian workshops.

What were apothecary jars used for?

Apothecary jars held medicinal herbs, syrups, ointments, and dry drugs in European pharmacies and dispensaries. Vessels like albareloes and wet drug jugs kept perishable ingredients sealed and organised. Pharmacies displayed these jars on shelves, often labelling them with abbreviated Latin inscriptions to identify the contents.

Can I use these antique pots for plants?

Antique tin glazed pots such as bough pots, planters, and garden urns accommodate plants, though their historical glaze requires careful handling. Moisture can penetrate old earthenware through hairline cracks in the tin glaze over extended periods. Using a plastic liner inside the ceramic vessel protects the antique body from direct soil and water contact.

What is the difference between delftware and faience?

Delftware and faience both describe tin-glazed earthenware, with regional naming conventions separating the terms geographically. Delftware specifically refers to wares produced in the Netherlands, while faience denotes similar pottery made in France and other European regions. Technologically, both utilise an earthenware body and an opaque white tin glaze painted with metallic pigments.