Scientific Examination of Glass and Glassworking Materials from Silkstone
Author(s): David Dungworth
An intensive study of glass and glassworking materials (threads, moils, crucibles, etc) from a historically known glassworks. Historical documents show that the glassworks started c. 1660 and continued into the 18th century. Archaeology dating (clay pipes) shows that the stratigraphically latest phase of glassworking ended c. 1700. Chemical analysis carried out on a range of glass production waste and glass fragments shows that three types of glass were made: high-lime low-alkali, mixed alkali and lead glass. In addition, several compositional groupings within each glass type could be identified. The compositions of the different glasses are compared with the stratigraphic sequence and the archaeological and historical dating evidence to show how glass composition varied with time. At each period of glassworking, two broad types of glass were made: the first was a dark green glass used for the manufacture of bottles, the second was a pale green or colourless glass which was used to produce tablewares. The dark green glass is a high-lime low-alkali glass. In the earliest phases of glassworking (c. 1660-80), the pale green or colourless glass was a mixed alkali glass but this was replaced by a leasd glass in the latest phase of glassworking (c.1680-1700).
- Report Number:
- 90/2003
- Series:
- CfA Reports
- Pages:
- 103
- Keywords:
- Glass Post Medieval
