Definition:Earthenware

Earthenware is ceramic ware fired at relatively low temperatures — typically below 1,200°C — producing a body that is more porous, less dense, and less translucent than stoneware or porcelain. Because earthenware remains porous after a single firing, it requires a glaze to hold liquids and to seal the surface. The vast majority of traditional Staffordshire dog figurines are earthenware, as are most chalkware pieces and many mid-century American and Japanese ceramics. ‘Earthenware’ covers an extremely wide range: from coarse, hand-formed country pottery at one end to the refined creamware and pearlware of the Staffordshire tradition at the other. For collectors of dog figurines, understanding whether a piece is earthenware, stoneware, or porcelain helps establish the maker’s tradition and expected quality level.