Description: Circle Band 1 is an inlaid slip band that consists of large connected circles that have a smaller, dark central circle. This band initially cuts into the slipped vessel with a roulette tool. It is then slipped again with a different color and that slip is cut away. We record the final decorative treatment,… Read more »

Description: Any element depicting a Christian church. Genre: The genre for this stylistic element depends on a combination of decorative technique, color, and element. Cataloging Example for Top Sherd: Stylistic Genre Handpainted Blue Interior/Exterior Location Decorative Technique Color Stylistic Element Motif Interior Base Painted, under free hand Purple-Blue, Intense Dark Church, Christian Individual A

Description: Any depiction of Chinese lettering that is not a maker’s mark. Genre: The genre for this stylistic element depends on a combination of decorative technique, color, and element. Cataloging Example for Top Sherd: Stylistic Genre Handpainted Blue Interior/Exterior Location Decorative Technique Color Stylistic Element Motif Exterior Body Painted, under free hand Purple-Blue, Intense Dark… Read more »

Description: This element is characterized by a checkerboard pattern that has a dot in the center of each square.  This example of Checkerboard Dot is sponged.   Cataloging Example for Depicted Sherd: Stylistic Genre Sponge/Spatter Interior/Exterior Location Decorative Technique Color Stylistic Element Motif Exterior Body Sponge Purple-Blue, Intense Dark Checkerboard Dot Individual A    

Description: Decoration most often seen on Westerwald vessels.  This element covers both the standard square checkerboard as well as squares oriented on their corners, i.e. diamonds.   Cataloging Example for Depicted Sherd: Stylistic Genre Blue, Molded/stamped/incised Interior/Exterior Location Decorative Technique Color Stylistic Element Motif Exterior Body Incised, free hand No Applied Color Checkerboard/Diamonds Individual A Exterior… Read more »

Description: A slipped element that consists of a multi-colored dot formed with two or more different slips dropped by a slip cup.   Cataloging Example for Depicted Sherd: Stylistic Genre Slipware, factory made Interior/Exterior Location Decorative Technique Color Stylistic Element Motif Exterior Body Slip Red/Yellow-Red, Muted Dark Cat’s Eye, single Individual A, repeated Exterior Body Slip Neutrals,… Read more »

Description: A modified version of Cat’s Eye whereby the slipped, multicolored dot (Cat’s Eye) is also combed, altering its appearance.   Cataloging Example for Depicted Sherd: Stylistic Genre Slipware, factory made Interior/Exterior Location Decorative Technique Color Stylistic Element Motif Exterior Body Slip Red/Yellow-Red, Muted Dark Cat’s Eye, combed Individual A, repeated Exterior Body Slip Neutrals, Light… Read more »

Description: Cartouche 02 is a set of curved vertical lines similar to parentheses that may or may not contain another element such as a flower or fish roe.   Cataloging Example for Depicted Sherd: Stylistic Genre Overglaze, hand painted   Interior/Exterior Location Decorative Technique Color Stylistic Element Motif Interior Proximal Rim Painted, under free hand… Read more »

Description: Cartouche 01 is a scroll or curled circle that contains further decoration and often serves as a “separating” element between bands—it may be solid with a flower or it could contain an intricate painted scene or crest. Two examples of Cartouche 01 and how they should be cataloged are presented here. Cataloging Example for… Read more »

Description: A butterfly element can be a realistic representation of a butterfly (above) or more abstract (below). The defining characteristics include antennae and multi-lobed wings that can alternate between being filled with color and highlighted with dashes or stripes. Cataloging Example for Depicted Sherd: Stylistic Genre Handpainted, Blue   Interior/Exterior Location Decorative Technique Color Stylistic Element… Read more »