Pottery urn, Staffordshire, England, 1801-1900

Made:
1801-1900 in Staffordshire
maker:
Davenport
Pottery urn, with biblical scenes in gilt, possibly Davenport

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Pottery urn, with biblical scenes in gilt, possibly Davenport
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Pottery urn, with biblical scenes in gilt, possibly Davenport, Staffs, English, 1801-1900

Decorated with biblical scenes, this gilt pottery urn is believed to have been designed to hold a person’s ashes after cremation. Burial was the standard for body disposal in Britain until well into the 1800s. Cremations were illegal for much of the century. The first authorised service took place in 1885.

The urn was probably made by Davenport, a ceramic manufacturer in the Staffordshire area of England called the Potteries.

Details

Category:
Medical Ceramic-ware
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A42846
Materials:
earthenware
Measurements:
overall: 262 mm x 250 mm 220 mm, .34kg
type:
cinerary urn