The production of tin-glazed ware on the north bank of the Thames: excavations at the site of the Hermitage Pothouse, Wapping

Abstract

Archaeological fieldwork was undertaken during 1996 at the Hermitage Basin site, Wapping, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The work, funded by the London Docklands Development Corporation, was in advance of the redevelopment of the site. The area of excavation was defined by the positions of the proposed buildings and known features which truncated the archaeological deposit.Documentary evidence indicated that the Hermitage Pothouse was situated at the head of the former Hermitage Dock. This tin-glaze (delft) manufactory was in production from c. 1665 to c. 1773. During this period it was the only tin-glaze pothouse in London north of the Thames. Before the present excavation it was not possible to attribute any vessels to this pothouse.After 1781 the pothouse was converted to become Jones Foundry. After this the Hermitage Dock was extended north onto the foundry site. The Hermitage Dock was then sold in 1801 and backfilled in preparation for the construction of the London Dock. The Hermitage Basin linking the London Dock to the Thames was completed by the beginning of 1805.The excavation revealed two successive bottle kilns, of a type normally associated with the manufacture of stoneware or earthenware. No evidence for the manufacture of anything other than tin-glazed ware was recovered. Post-dating these kilns was a rectangular kiln, the firebox of which survived. This was in use after 1720. There was evidence that this kiln manufactured tin-glazed wall tiles and possibly stoneware. In addition to tile, finds included a range of kiln furniture (with forms distinctive to this site), many different forms of biscuit ware (with evidence for the manufacture of 17th-century forms continuing into the 18th century), and glazed ware. The range of forms recovered indicates that Wapping needs to be included with Southwark and Lambeth as a centre of manufacture in the period 1665–1773.