An exciting partnership between Rye Pottery and the British Museum celebrates The Bayeux Tapestry Experience in London, which opened last week, after much anticipation. Visitors to the show will be able to buy pieces created in Rye at the museum shop. Bars from Rye Chocolates are also on sale.
Rye Pottery has expanded its existing Bayeux Tapestry and 1066 ceramic series, based on characters depicted in the tapestry, with a brand new sixth figure, the Saxon Shield Wall.
Tabby Cole of Rye Pottery explained why the Saxon Shield Wall was chosen. “We wanted to include one of the vital but less discussed ‘characters’ in this pivotal battle, and that’s the Saxon soldiers themselves. The Latin lettering on the base of the new figures translates to ‘English Army’. Marking the role of, and cost to, ‘ordinary’ men and women in war is sadly all too relevant today.
“The Saxon Shield Wall was a proven, famous 11th Century Anglo Saxon military tactic and formation. The breaking of Shield Walls during the Battle of Hastings is highly studied in medieval military history. It’s regarded as a significant contributing factor to the Anglo-Saxon loss on 14 October 1066 and a key turning point in the actual battlefield that day.
“To succeed, Saxon shield walls needed to be highly organised and stationary. The core of these walls was anchored by ‘Housecarls’ – the elite professional infantry who formed the core of Harold’s army. At the start of the battle, Harold’s wall stretched for almost half a mile atop a hill with William’s infantry, cavalry and archers at the bottom. This shield formation was considered almost impervious to cavalry but left little room for manoeuvre for the Saxon army. Despite bloody casualties on both sides, the shield wall was highly successful that day. In a world where many battles were won or lost in an hour, Harold’s wall held firm throughout some nine hours of bloody fighting until a final push by the Normans finally broke through towards dusk.
“The original fully 3D figure was modelled by Tony Bennett (RCA) with decoration designed by the Rye Design Team. We persuaded experienced pottery mould and model maker turned novelist, Chris O’Donoghue, out of retirement to create the plaster of Paris moulds for us.”
The Saxon Shield Wall joins the existing collection which includes William the Conqueror, Harold Godwinson, Bishop Odo (who was considered the most likely candidate to have commissioned the Tapestry), Lady Edith or ‘Edith Swan Neck’ and a vignette featuring Edward the Confessor with Duke Harold.
The figures in the collections are made using traditional slip-casting methods: liquid clay is poured into plaster of Paris moulds with several of the items made up of multiple clay pieces added to the main body of each piece.
After the first kiln firing, the figures are then decorated using English Delftware techniques. Each is dipped in glaze before being painted using freehand brushwork, making each piece unique. The colours used reflect the colours of the tapestry: coral, tan, chestnut brown and smoky grey.
Rye Pottery, The Old Brewery, 6 Wish Ward, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7DH www.ryepottery.co.uk
Image Credits: Rye Pottery .