Grenville House Cup

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North Devon Ceramic Cup Discovered Hidden Behind False Wall in Historic Home of Sir Richard Grenville (1542 - 1591). The ancient cup is estimated to date back to the 17th century, predating a significant renovation of the house in 1620. Special thanks go out to Andy Powell for generously gifting this historic relic. Andy Powell raises an intriguing question regarding the cup's origins: whether it was crafted by one of the renowned Beale family potters from Bideford or perhaps produced in Donyatt, Somerset due to its distinctive handle design and non-gravel inclusions. Alison Mills of Barnstaple Museum offers insight into the white material used to create the cup, suggesting it is a traditional Petersmarland slip. Mills notes that the cup would have originally been a beautiful shade of yellow before the lead glaze deteriorated over time. These ceramics are often referred to as "coachpainters' pots" due to their tendency to display residue and drips on the exterior. Merry Abbitt Outlaw, Curator at Jamestown Rediscovery, points out that the round white dots on the handle's right side are a result of the potter's fingertips being covered in slip before firing.