Grenville House Cup

North Devon Ceramic Cup found hidden behind a false wall in the house that was the birthplace of Sir Richard Grenville (1542 –1591). The cup is thought to be 17th century dating from before a 1620 renovation of the house. Thanks to Andy Powell for the gift of the cup! Andy Powell questions whether it is North Devon made (made by one of the Beale family of Bideford) or possibly might have come from Donyatt, Somerset because of the handle design and that the inclusions appear not to be exclusively gravel. Alison Mills of Barnstaple Museum suggests the white is the usual Petersmarland slip, it would have been beautifully yellow inside before the lead glaze fell off. They’re sometimes called coachpainters’ pots because they often have residues and drips on the outside. Merry Abbitt Outlaw, Curator at Jamestown Rediscovery noted that the round white dots on the right hand side of the handle are from the potter’s fingertips that were covered with slip as it was handled before firing.