Storeroom Stories: Christmas Day

Children’s mugs and plates, made in pearlware, creamware, whiteware, and canary ware, are occasionally recovered from archaeological features in Charleston. The artifacts were made and discarded between 1800 and 1840, the time when marketing to children began. Small cups featured underglaze decoration, or enameling over a clear lead glaze, emblazoned with a whimsical saying. Some reward good children, while others reflect troublesome children and their antics. The cups often bear the name of the child.

Children’s plates molded with the alphabet or animals around the rim first appeared around 1830, produced by the Staffordshire potteries. Later vessels were transfer-printed. The centers were illustrated with morals and proverbs, children at play, or illustrated riddles.

A curator’s favorite features a child enjoying “Christmas Day” by stuffing himself with plum pudding. This delightful plate was recovered from an 1850s privy pit at the corner of Meeting Street and Horlbeck Alley in 1980.