A PETROLOGICAL NOTE ON THE CRUCIBLE FABRICS FROM MEDIEVAL AND POST- MEDIEVAL GLASSMAKING FURNACES AT WOLSELEY, STAFFS AND OTHER SITES
Author(s): D F Williams
A petrological examination was made of a number of ceramic crucibles used at two separate glassworking furnaces at Little Birches during the Medieval and post-Medieval periods. Also submitted were furnace linings and samples of local stone, as well as comparative samples of crucibles from other glassworking sites of the same period. The main objective of the analysis was to see if the same fabric had been used for the crucibles from both furnaces, additionally if an estimation of the firing temperature could be made. Thin sectioning suggests that the same clay had been used for the majority of crucible samples from both kilns, quite possibly a local fireclay from Cannock Chase. Similarities were also noted between the fabric of the crucibles from Little Birches and those from nearby Bagot's Park and Cattail Pool. The formation of glass and mullite crystals in most of the crucibles from Little Birches suggests that a minimum temperature of 1100-1200C degrees was reached in the furnace.
- Report Number:
- 52/1994
- Series:
- AML Reports (New Series)
- Pages:
- 13
- Keywords:
- Ceramic Clay, Fired Glass Petrology
