Debased "Scratch Blue"

Click photo to enlarge Photo: Debased "scratch blue" mug

• Type: White salt-glazed stoneware
• Date range: c.1765-1795
• Median date: c.1780
• Place of origin: England

This ware is similar to the "scratch blue" white salt-glazed stoneware.

The excess cobalt pigment was left within the general area of the incised design rather than wiped off as in scratch blue. Other decoration included sprig-moulded medallions with the cypher of George III and sometimes a profile of the monarch.

The most common vessel forms were chamber pots, mugs and pitchers.

Debased scratch blue was most common during the period 1765-1775.

See Noel Hume 1976: 117-118, and South 1977: 210

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