Bearded facemask handle

Pottery was used for storing, cooking and serving food and drink.  Unlike many other craftworkers mediaeval potters were not governed by guilds, and work often acquired a strong local character.  Pottery, usually wheel turned, was decorated with thumb pressed strips, incised marks and stamping.   In the 1100s thin lead glazes were introduced to make the pottery less porous.  By the 1200s glazes had become richer and shades of yellow, green and brown were obtained by adding copper, iron or manganese salts. Human faces, often grotesque, were a common form of decoration.