Miniature handle jar, red-fired earthenware with lead glaze, four pouring lips on the corners and a pinched handle, slip decoration, standing foot, Netherlands (ca. 1650-1700)
Description
A miniature glazed earthenware handle jar. The container was found in the cesspool of one of the late medieval houses that were built in 1996 Happy Corner have been excavated. Among the feces and household waste of the former inhabitants, the researchers found a lot of glass and pottery, including the shards of this toy. Handled pots like this were used for transporting food.
Earthenware toys were produced in large quantities and were for sale at the toy stall at the annual fair or directly from the local potters. They made exact miniature versions of their daily products in a 1:2 or 1:3 ratio. It is known that the pipe makers of Gorcum also made clay pipe toys. From the middle of the 17de century, the first toy stores opened in our country where, in addition to dolls and doll items, the then popular pewter miniatures were also available.
At sometimeclay pipe sheep and a tin frying pan.
Children's games were in the 17de century, was still strictly gender-specific. Boys usually played games of skill and tag. Girls mainly played with their dolls' things to recreate everyday situations in their environment. In this way, children prepared themselves playfully for their future role in the family and society.
Details
| Description: | Miniature handle jar, four pouring lips on the corners and a pinched handle, slip decoration, stand ring, Netherlands. |
| Material: | Red-fired earthenware, lead glaze, slip |
| Production: | The Netherlands |
| Dating: | ca. 1650-1700 |
| Dimensions: | 10.3/6/4.1 cm, 177 grams |
| Location: | Gorinchem, Blijenhoek (1996) |
| Find number: | BH96V16-26 |
| Questions? | Do you see an error? Or do you have additional information about this find? Let us know! |
Takes place
| Archis number(s): | 65911 |
| Topographic Map: | 38D |
| Coordinates: | 126.55/427.10 (center) |
| Toponym: | Blijenhoek |
| City: | Gorinchem |
| Local authority: | Gorinchem |
| Province: | Zuid-Holland |
| Type of research: | Definitive Archaeological Research, excavation. |
| Executor: | PM Floore, Rotterdam |
| Project Manager: | PM Floore, Rotterdam |
| Client: | Municipality of Gorinchem |
| Competent authority: | National Service for Archaeological Heritage (ROB) |
| Start of investigation: | April 22-May 7, 1996 |
| Finds & documentation: | Municipal depot for archaeology Gorinchem |
| IN: | - |
Documentation
![]() | Bitter, P. (2009) Toying with miniatures. Finds of 'doll's-house items' from Alkmaar, in: Hemmy Clevis (ed.) Medieval Material Culture. Studies in honor of Jan Thijssen, Zwolle, p. 47-65. WorldCat |
![]() | Floore, PM (1996) The excavation of the Blijenhoek in Gorinchem, in: Oud-Gorcum Varia, magazine of the historical society "Oud-Gorcum" 13, no. 36, p. 198-203. PDF (13 MB) |
![]() | Stolk, M. (2022) The archeology of Vluizenburg. Materiality and daily life in multicultural Amsterdam, 1600-1800. (Thesis, University of Amsterdam), p. 141-160. PDF (10 MB) |
![]() | Stolk, M. (2020) Rattles, Toys and Miniature Artefacts: Archaeological Insights into Childhood and Children's Identities at Vluivenburg, Kleos ‐ Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology 3, p. 64‐81. PDF (17 MB) |
![]() | Willemsen, A. (2003) 'Doll-good and nothing else'. Toys in Holland in the 16th and 17th centuries. In: Holland Historical Magazine, 35-3, p. 80-91. PDF (265 KB) |
| Material: | Pottery |
| Period: | New Age B:1650-1850 AD |
| Application: | Game, entertainment |
| Dimensions: | 10.3 / 6 / 4.5 cm |
| Weight | 177 gram |
| Location: | Blijenhoek (1996) |
| Find number: | BH96V16-26 |








