This post presents the second part of the quiz, based on the second display at the Markeaton Park Family Festivities event. The first post in the series (Introduction) provides more information on the activity; and an activity summary provided in the previous Part 1 Quiz Post.

Display 2: Posh Porcelain

Markeaton excavations uncovered porcelain cup sherds – but in a place that perhaps seems unexpected: the stables area (in the centre of what is now the Craft Village).

Porcelain tea- and table-wares were costly at this time, though English-made transfer-printed porcelain less so than the hand-painted Chinese imports they imitated. Ceramics made in the last years of the 1700s and early years of the 1800s are likely to have still been used into the 1800s, and some into the 1820s – 1830s (and beyond) – especially those made of expensive materials, such as porcelain. 

The objects on display date to the early 1800s, and might be similar to ceramics found at Markeaton.

• What do you think these objects would have been used for / how do you think they’d have been used?
• Where / in which room(s) of a house?
• Can you think how they might have been used at, or in preparing for, Christmas, in particular?

Clues

Think you have the answers? Find out if you’re right! (Available Thurs. 5 Dec. 2024).

Next: Part 3 – available tomorrow (Thurs. 5 Dec. 2024).