Sponged decoration which, according to the Scottish historian and potter Arnold Fleming (writing in 1923), was effected underglaze by means of "designs cut out of the roots of sponges" (or was merely dabbed on with no formal design), appeared on both table and toilet wares and on earthen-ware as well as on ironstone-type bodies. Sponged wares, intended mainly for the country trade, came to Canada from Scotland, with the potters of Tyneside, Staffordshire, Wales, and Ireland also contributing to the market. The relatively low cost of sponged wares, in comparison with other "common wares", may be deduced from a Scottish potter's price list of the 1850s: "edged" (illustration 3) and sponged wares were the same price, just slightly below the cheapest of the printed wares, common "Willow". It cost seven pence for an "edged" or sponged sauce tureen, nine pence for "Willow".
Dating sponged wares is difficult because of their enduring popularity. This method of decoration was used before Victorian days and was carried over into the twentieth century. The date of the serving dish shown here is not earlier than the 1870s and is more likely closer to the end of the century. It is the type of ware today called "Portneuf" in QuΘbec.
Sponged wares were in use in all parts of Canada. Alexander Christie advertised "Blue Sponged" with other "Common Ware" in the Niagara Mail (December 4, 1840). J.P. Davies advertised them in the Victoria Daily Standard (October 6, 1873). Customers for sponged wares were more interested in something colourful and cheap than in precise workmanship. Note the irregular spacing of the rosettes on this piece: for example, two rosettes on the upper rim are so close as to be actually touching.
Courtesy: National Museum of Man, National Museums of Canada (S81-2)
