Raeren
(1300 - 1800)
Raeren is situated in present-day Belgium, about 1 km from the German Border, in a region of small towns that all supported potting industries during the later medieval and early post-medieval periods. The region benefited from ample supply of raw materials for potting, including fine clays, and plenty of wood and water. Initially the types of vessels produced were similar to contemporary Langerwehe products, but by the mid sixteenth century new ranges were being produced. The Raeren industry peaked after the late fifteenth and early sixteenth century, but political unrest at the end of the sixteenth century saw the migration of many of the potters, possibly to the Westerwald region.
Typical features of Raeren stoneware vessels include a mid grey clay body with an iron-washed, orange-brown surface and ash-glaze treatment producing a somewhat glossy glaze.
Forms in the Museum of London's collection are largely restricted to drinking vessels, but some examples of other uses include a largely complete alembic, for distillation and chemical processing (A4784). Another unusual piece is a miniature cauldron (A5170). Extremely common imports to London were the drinking mugs, with a biconical body and short neck, strap handle and thumbed base (80.271/63) (80.547/655). A number of these mugs have been decorated with anthropomorphic (human-like) designs such as human faces moulded onto the body (6572). Taller drinking jugs were also produced, and often embellished with metal mounts on the rims (A4724). Other forms include spindlewhorls, bottles (6570) and tripartite jugs commonly referred to as fuddling cups (A3911). More elaborately decorated vessels include cylindrical drinking tankards (6596) and baluster jugs with decorative relief-moulded panels (A5347).
Related objects
There are 163 related objects.A5194 spindle whorl. | A26527 figure. | A25855 horn. | 6582 jug; drinking jug. |
6412 figure. | 15495 jug; drinking jug. | P480 bottle.  | 26654 jug; drinking jug.  |
25989 jug; drinking jug.  | 25766 jar.  | 25155 jug; baluster jug.  | 24944 jug; drinking jug.  |
24861 cup; fuddling cup.  | 24860 cup; fuddling cup.  | 12308 mug; drinking mug.  | 6596 drinking vessel; tankard.  |
6591 jug; baluster jug.  | 6586 jug; baluster jug.  | 6568 jug.  | 6567 mug; drinking mug.  |
6410 jar.  | 91.111/31 mug; drinking mug.  | 82.72 jug; drinking jug.  | 80.406/117 jug; drinking jug.  |