THROWN TOGETHER FOR A PURPOSE

 

          

 

Butterdishes and saltshakers formed on the potters wheel

Jane Kelly: Penicuik Pottery at Valleyfield House

off 17 High Street Penicuik EH26 8HS

 


 


 

 

 

A Penicuik butterdish is thrown in the traditional potter’s in-and-out design which kept butter fresh and spreadable before fridges were invented.  The lid held here is filled with butter and suspends inside a close fitting bowl of a base half-filled with water. Taken out and it forms the butterdish you see, returned to its storage position the two parts fit together as the glazed box shown above.  The butter stayed fresh and soft longer without any need for additives and the water was changed every two days.  Only a few country potters across Europe still throw this form.

 

 

A Penicuik saltshaker is equally a real challenge to the potter’s art.  Thrown in one piece with an internal open cone as its base, it’s quite different from the familiar modern salt cellar.  Lift it from the table in the palm of your hand and shake up and down without turning it over.  Salt drops gently out from beneath just a wee bit at a time.

 

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